Andrea Brocklebank, Jim Everson and Jennifer Haverstock made statements and, with Reynold Bergen and Rosalie Gillis-Madden, answered questions.

At 12:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:10 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of the environmental contribution of agriculture, the proposed budget in the amount of $96,417.68, for the committee’s travel to Glasgow, Scotland, from July 30 to August 5, 2022, be adopted; and that the clerk of the committee be authorized to purchase appropriate gifts and make necessary hospitality arrangements for meals and receptions during the committee’s travel.

It was agreed, — That the Second Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in:

Your Subcommittee met on Thursday, May 26, 2022, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That, having heard from the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food on May 19, 2022, for the consideration of the Main Estimates, no additional meeting be dedicated to the consideration of the Supplementary Estimates (A).

2. That the clerk of the committee, in consultation with the Chair, prepare a detailed budget respecting the committee’s proposal for travel, in economy class, by seven members of the committee and five staff members, to attend the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 31 to August 5, 2022.

3. That, the committee commence consideration of Bill C-234, an Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, and that one meeting in June 2022 be dedicated to hearing from the sponsor of the bill, M.P. Ben Lobb.

4. That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on the impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on Canada’s food production and Canada’s ability to address global food insecurity as well as the short-term and long-term options to enhance resiliency and reduce dependency towards critical foreign inputs; and that the committee report its findings to the House.

5. That in relation to the study on food insecurity, the committee hold at least three meetings to hear from witnesses before June 23, 2022; and that the analysts and the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair, prepare a news release for publication on the committee’s website and for distribution upon commencement of the study.

6. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the current status, challenges, and opportunities of both micro-cultivation of cannabis and cultivation of hemp for commercial purposes and as agricultural activities; and that the committee hold at least one meeting before June 23, 2022, to hear from witnesses involved in micro-cultivation of cannabis and cultivation of hemp for commercial purposes.

7. That, in relation to the study on micro-cultivation of cannabis and cultivation of hemp, and in light of the upcoming statutory review of the Cannabis Act, following the meeting with witnesses held in June 2022, the Chair send a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister of Health outlining the committee’s observations and recommendations.

8. That, the committee consider the possibility of undertaking, in the Fall of 2022, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), a study on the various causes of pollinator mortality and the possible solutions to curb it; that these solutions take into account the considerable losses experienced by beekeepers; that the committee devote at least four meetings to the study to hear from witnesses on the issue; and that the committee report its observations and findings to the House.

The committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Confronting Urgent Challenges and Building the Resilience of the Canadian Food Supply Chain".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.