On motion of Pierre Breton, it was agreed, — That Alistair MacGregor be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

At 3:34 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:34 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

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

Your Subcommittee met on Monday, January 29, 2018, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the motion adopted on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, concerning the study of the advancements of technology and research in the agriculture industry be rescinded and replaced with the following: That the Committee conduct a study of the advancements of technology and research in the agriculture industry, particularly as related to agricultural machinery, and bio-technology, in order to gather feedback from pertinent industries regarding the value of such advancements to the agricultural sector and the most effective allocation of new or current funding, in order to increase Canada’s Agri-Food exports to $75 billion per year by 2025.
2. That the Chair, in relation to the study of the advancements of technology and research in the agriculture industry that can support Canadian exports, in consultation with the Clerk and the Analysts, present a preliminary travel submission to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Liaison Committee, which includes travel to four communities across Canada; Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Saskatoon and/or Winnipeg for site visits. Each party is invited to submit a list of sites to visit including their contact information to the Clerk of the Committee no later than Thursday, February 8, 2018.
3. That in the event of a SBLI’s requests to provide a detailed travel budget, your Subcommittee meets on Monday, February 12, 2018, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm to establish the trip itinerary.
4. That, subject to the House of Commons' permission to travel, the Committee invite the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food to provide a briefing session in preparation for the travel related to the study of the advancements of technology and research in the agriculture industry that can support Canadian exports.
5. That, concerning the study of the role of food inspection agencies in Canada's free trade agreements, the Committee invites the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to testify on its role in food exports and imports on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, between 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and invites agencies or departments of signatory countries to testify on the same topic between 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Each party is invited to submit a list of witnesses from other countries and their contact information to the Clerk of the Committee.

At 3:44 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:54 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

At 4:18 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:29 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Earl Dreeshen gave notice of the following motion:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food undertake a study on the mental health challenges that our farmers, ranchers, and producers face; that this study meet with farmers, ranchers, producers, and community health groups with the goal of understanding the issues they face, and the sharing of best practices and that the Committee report its finding to the House.

Andrea Brocklebank, Ron Bonnett, Tony Straathof made statements and, with Fawn Jackson, by videoconference from Calgary, Alberta, answered questions.