I call the meeting to order.
This is meeting number 26 of the Standing Committee on International Trade. Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely, using the Zoom application.
I need to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly.
For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike. Please mute it when you are not speaking.
With regard to interpretation, for those on Zoom, you have the choice at the bottom of your screen of “floor”, “English” or “French”. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
I would remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.
Should any technical challenges arise, please let me know. We may need to suspend for a few minutes to ensure that all members are able to participate fully.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on March 21, the committee is resuming its study on trade opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indo-Pacific.
We have with us today by video conference Raphael Gaudreault, chief operating officer of Arianne Phosphate Inc., and Brendan Byrne, chairman of the Grain Farmers of Ontario. In person, from Soy Canada, we have Brian Innes, executive director. Welcome to all of you.
We will start with opening remarks and then proceed to rounds of questions.
Mr. Gaudreault, would you like to start with an opening statement of five minutes?