Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I would also like to follow my colleagues in thanking our witnesses for appearing before the committee. Your testimony is very helpful in the formulation of our report.
In previous meetings at this committee we've talked a lot about the powerhouse that Canada is when it comes to exports. However, I want to swing the pendulum back to our local food capacity.
I represent a riding on Vancouver Island, and it's estimated that here on Vancouver Island we probably have about a three-day supply of fresh food. If something catastrophic were to happen to supply chains, then we would be feeling quite the pinch. I know there are many communities across country that would feel the same kind of pressures. It's a bit of an irony that we are a huge food producer, but we still have many examples of food insecurity across Canada.
Maybe, Professor Scanlon, I'll start with you because I know you've written on this topic, and I really appreciated your remarks on resiliency. That's a theme I really identify with.
Do you have any thoughts for the committee on how we build up that kind of resiliency and establish conditions, such as through programs like the local food infrastructure fund, to improve or increase the capacity and resiliency of smaller communities to have that kind of food security?