I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 96 of the Standing Committee on International Trade. Please note that this meeting has been extended to 6:00 p.m.
Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Therefore, members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I will make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those online, please mute yourself when you are not speaking. For interpretation online, you have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of either floor audio, English or French. For those in the room, you can use your earpiece. Everybody should know that by now. No one here is new.
Just as a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. Members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” button. If there are any technical problems, please let me know.
For our first panel today, we have, from Université de l'Ontario français, Mr. Thomas Chiasson-LeBel, assistant professor; from the Canadian Pork Council, René Roy, chair; from the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Jane Proctor, vice-president, policy and issue management; and from Pulse Canada, Jeff English, vice-president, marketing and communications.
Welcome, everyone. We'll have five-minute opening remarks, after which we will proceed to questions.
Monsieur Chiasson-LeBel, I invite you to make your opening statement.