Thank you, Mr. Chair, and my thanks to the witnesses for coming here.
We have a long-term, complementary trade relationship with Japan that has been working very well. In our committee, we heard that once the EPA is signed between Canada and Japan, it will definitely increase trade opportunities for food products. Mr. de Kemp, you made a comment that the Japanese are not only consumers but also our partners. Mr. Townsend, you said that 90% of the honey consumed in Japan is delivered from my home province of Alberta.
I have two questions, and I'd like each of you to comment. First, how do you see the opportunities being expanded when you are already there and trade is working very well? Second, we all know about our potential membership in TPP. Should we abandon this EPA and wait for our TPP membership outcome?