I call the meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 20 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on October 24, 2020, the committee is resuming its study on processing capacity. Today is actually the last meeting with witnesses.
Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format pursuant to the House order of January 25, 2021. Therefore, members are attending in person in the room and also remotely, by using the Zoom application.
The proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. So that you are aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking, rather than the entirety of the committee. I would like to take this opportunity to remind all participants in this meeting that neither taking screenshots nor taking photos of the screen is permitted.
To ensure that the meeting runs smoothly, I'd like to share some rules with you.
Members and witnesses may speak in the official language of their choice. Interpretation services are available throughout the meeting. At the bottom of your screen, you can choose between the floor and English or French. The latest version of Zoom now allows you to speak in the language of your choice without having to select the appropriate language channel.
You'll also notice that the platform's “raise hand” feature is now more easily accessible on the main toolbar if you wish to speak or alert the chair. If this option does not work, I suggest that members and witnesses wishing to speak turn on their cameras and physically raise their hands. The clerk of the committee will keep a list of members who wish to speak. When you do not have the floor, please mute your microphone.
With that, I would like to welcome our witnesses today.
We have, from Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry, Mr. Ken Falk, president. Welcome, Mr. Falk.
Also, from Canards du Lac Brome ltée, we have Philip O'Shaughnessy. Welcome, Mr. O'Shaughnessy.
We'll start with opening statements. We'll start with Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry.
Mr. Falk, you have up to seven and a half minutes to give your opening statement. Thank you.