CAFTA members have established the following priorities for our work.
One, to open new markets for Canadian agri-food, including by prioritizing trade liberalization discussions with growing emerging markets like Indonesia and ASEAN countries.
Two, to uphold the international rules-based trading system. A delegation of CAFTA members attended the WTO's recent ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi. We witnessed first-hand the challenges the system is facing, and we support Canada's efforts, through the Ottawa Group, to advance key priorities at the World Trade Organization.
Three, to strengthen trade diplomacy capacity and industry-government collaboration. We welcomed the opening of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food office in Manila and we are co-chairing the industry working group that is assuring alignment between government and stakeholders.
In terms of our national interests and our contribution to the world we live in, Canada is the world's fifth-largest agri-food exporter. We are one of the few countries in the world producing enough food for ourselves while at the same time feeding others around the world. We make an important contribution to international peace and security and to feeding the hungry, especially at a time of international instability when major grain producers are at war. We cannot forget that these economic and national interest contributions are a function of ensuring that our customers see Canadian products as being competitive and reliable.
These customers place great emphasis on predictability in food delivery. Supply chain challenges affect predictability, as evidenced by COVID and the effective closure of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, as well as reduced capacity in the Panama Canal. There have also been major disruptions in Canada caused by natural disasters, strikes and other protests.
Key elements of Canada's supply chain affecting Canada's predictability are bulk and container shipping and rail, road and port infrastructure. We know you've listened to representatives of these key sectors in your previous committee hearings. There are also deficiencies in the road and bridge infrastructure in smaller municipalities where farms are located, making the connection from farm gate to national trade corridors less efficient.
Further, it is important to underline that reliable labour relations have been a challenge in recent years, and our customers are noticing. Customers abroad and exporters in Canada are the main sufferers when strikes or lockouts take place in monopoly service providers, such as the railroads.
These are just some of the ways in which supply chains can affect our ability to succeed in global markets.
We'd be pleased to answer any questions the committee members may have.
Thank you, Madam Chair.