I call this meeting to order. Colleagues, welcome to meeting number 67 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.
I'll start with a few reminders. You know the format. This meeting is taking place in hybrid format and the proceedings will be made available via the House of Commons website. Just so you are aware, the webcast will always show the person speaking rather than the entirety of the committee. Of course, taking screenshots or photos of your screen is not permitted.
I have a couple of notes here, colleagues. We have Ms. Hedy Fry subbing in for Ms. Taylor Roy. Welcome to the committee, Ms. Fry.
We also have Mr. Epp subbing in for Mr. Barlow this evening.
Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, May 17, 2023, the committee will commence its consideration of Bill C-280, an act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, regarding a deemed trust for perishable fruits and vegetables.
I would now like to welcome the sponsor of the bill for the first one-hour panel, Mr. Scot Davidson, the member of Parliament for York—Simcoe. I do want the record to show, of course, that the MP for Simcoe helped bring some vegetables from the area. We certainly appreciate that—all committee members. I'll leave it for folks at home to see.
Good job, Mr. Davidson. We're all proud of our horticulture sector and I know that it exists in your riding.
Before I turn it over to you for five minutes for your opening remarks, I would be remiss if I did not recognize Theo and Diane Rood, who are the parents of Lianne Rood. They are in the committee gallery in the back.
It's great to have you here on Parliament Hill with us. You should be very proud of your daughter. She's a tremendous member of Parliament.
Mr. Davidson, we'll go over to you for five minutes.