Anthony Durocher and Bradley Callaghan made statements and answered questions.

Lianne Rood gave notice of the following motion:

That this committee begin a study of the impacts of existing and potential regulations on primary food plastic packaging in respect of the production, processing, transport, retail marketing, sale, costs and safety of food products, and the impact on access to healthy, affordable food and food security for Canadians;

That this committee allocate no fewer than six meetings to hear from stakeholders as witnesses before the committee; and

That this committee report its findings and recommendations to the House no later than Saturday, June 1, 2024.

At 12:07 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:15 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The Chair presented the Sixth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

1. That two additional meetings be held to hear witnesses on the study of the efforts to stabilize food prices;
2. That one additional meeting be held to hear the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and that the committee invite the Minister of Finance to appear, if her schedule allows, on the study of the efforts to stabilize food prices;
3. That the committee draft and send a letter to the five major grocery chains encouraging them to adopt the Grocery Code of Conduct;
4. That the committee undertake a study on Canada's competitiveness for agricultural exports and imports in a world where a carbon import levy becomes a reality and explore revenue opportunities for farmers in a market where consumers demand a net-zero product; that witness lists for this study be submitted to the clerk of the committee before 4 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22, 2024;
5. That the committee meet, in an informal meeting, in camera, with a delegation of members from the Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the UK Parliament during the week of April 15, 2024; and that the committee defray the hospitality expenses related to this meeting;
6. That the committee explore the possibility of holding a meeting on the closure of the soy quality program of the Harrow Research and Development Centre and draft and send a letter with its conclusions and recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; and
7. That the Chair, in collaboration with the clerk and the analysts, schedule the committee meetings accordingly.

It was agreed, — That pursuant to the order of reference of January 31, 2024, the committee undertake consideration of Bill C-355, An Act to prohibit the export by air of horses for slaughter and to make related amendments to certain Acts; that the committee set aside one hour to hear from the sponsor of the Bill; that the committee set aside at least three meetings to hear from witnesses; and that witness lists be submitted to the clerk of the committee no later than Monday, February 12, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET.

The committee proceeded to give drafting instructions to the analysts for a draft letter.

It was agreed, — That the letter written by the committee to encourage the five major grocery chains to adopt the Grocery Code of Conduct be sent to the presidents of Wal-Mart Canada Corp. and Loblaw Companies Limited with the presidents of the other three major grocery chains in cc; and that the letter be published on the committee’s website.

The committee proceeded to give drafting instructions to the analysts for a draft report.