Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Leduc and Mr. Machin, thank you for being here today.
We're discussing an extremely important subject. This committee has an important role to play, since it reviews your results each year in order to be accountable to Canadians. Basically, you're taking Canadians' savings and investing them. Hopefully, you're getting a return that will satisfy the investors, meaning Canadians. This discussion must take place.
I was wondering about the board's investments in agricultural land in Saskatchewan, a subject that attracted attention from 2013 to 2015. I know that the matter has sparked some discussion and that, in your organization, you've started to review the whole issue of the purchase of agricultural land.
In Quebec, foreigners are purchasing huge amounts of agricultural land, which is driving up prices and raising serious concerns. It's becoming extremely difficult for local farmers and family farms to grow in this ecosystem.
However, you seem to be involved in this in Canada, but even more so abroad. I'd like an update on the practices used to take control of huge amounts of agricultural land in Canada and abroad and the factors that you consider in your assessment of these practices.