Colleagues, welcome back.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, October 19, 2023, the committee is resuming its study on efforts to stabilize food prices.
I would now like to welcome the hon. François‑Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Welcome, my friend.
He has brought with him two senior departmental officials.
Mark Schaan, senior assistant deputy minister, strategy and innovation policy sector, and Étienne-René Massie, assistant deputy minister, small business, tourism and marketplace services.
Colleagues, we'll thank the minister for being able to make some time to come in. This will be the last hour of the study, and then we'll be turning to studying the recommendations that will follow.
Minister, it's great to have you here. You draw a crowd, as you can see. The benches are packed.
Let me recognize some of the folks who are here.
From my province, we have Mr. Perkins. Mr. Williams is from the Belleville area, I believe. From the NDP, we Ms. Idlout from Nunavut. I know, Ms. Idlout, that you'll be sharing your time with Mr. MacGregor in the second or third round.
It's good to see you all here.
Before I go to the minister, I will say that this committee has a great reputation. I'll make sure that we keep that reputation here today because I know he'll want to be able to respond. You guys are going to want to ask really tough questions, but let's keep it inside the bounds of how we play ball at this committee. I know you guys will do me proud on that one.
Minister, I'll pass the floor over to you for five minutes. I'll give you a little bit of freedom.