Dr. Ian Lee (Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University, As an Individual) at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee

Thank you, Chair and committee members, for inviting me to discuss this important subject.

First are my disclosures: I do not consult to any person, firm or association in the agri-food value chain system in Canada; I do not have any investments in any firms anywhere in any industry; and I do not belong or donate any money to any political party anywhere.

My fourth disclosure is somewhat different. Before returning to graduate school for my Ph.D., I was a commercial lender and banker for nine years—