Thank you, Malcolm.
Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members, for this opportunity.
My name is Rene Van Acker. I am dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph.
I want to note that I am also a member of the Deans Council, Agriculture, Food & Veterinary Medicine, and I helped to lead the Growing Canada's food and beverage processing sector report, which we prepared for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and which the committee was previously briefed on by Professor Martin Scanlon, who is dean of the faculty of agricultural and food sciences from the University of Manitoba. That was on November 19.
I'd like to pick up where Dr. Campbell left off, specifically with how investments in research and development have a direct correlation to training the next generation of highly skilled employees and agri-food leaders.
Investments in university agri-food research, including in infrastructure, become investments in our capacity to teach and train highly qualified students through hands-on learning, with real-world equipment in world-leading facilities, creating the future and working to grow Canada's agri-food sector hand in hand with food company partners of all sizes, including small and very small food companies.
As many of you will know, there is a growing labour market demand in the food and beverage processing sector. Professor Charlebois referred to it as well. As an institution focused on educating agriculture and food leaders, the University of Guelph understands these trends uniquely. Even if we consider only the Ontario job market, for example, for our graduates, there are currently four jobs for every graduate of an agriculture and food-specific program. In 2012, it was three for every one graduate.
Considering that the main concentration of the food and beverage processing sector in Canada is in Ontario, this is a direct barrier to growth in the processing sector. Access to highly skilled talent is essential for the industry to grow its productivity and to support innovation and trade, as well as to grow in the sophistication required to be export leaders. We need these highly qualified professionals across the value chain from field to fork. A talent pool with diversity in not only expertise but also in composition, reflecting the global population, is necessary. Canada is fortunate to have a comparative advantage, with large diaspora communities that can present incredible opportunities in market testing.
In conclusion, I would say that the opportunity for growth in processing capacity is right in front of us, as all the right ingredients are here. Investments in research and development and in highly qualified personnel training are the missing links.
On behalf of Dr. Campbell and myself, I'd like to extend my gratitude to the committee for this opportunity. The University of Guelph looks forward to continuing to be a trusted partner to both government and industry.