Tony Irwin and Parisa Mahboubi made statements.

At 8:29 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 8:29 a.m., the meeting resumed.

Carolyn Hughes made a statement, and together with Tony Irwin and Parisa Mahboubi, answered questions.

Michelle Ferreri moved, —

Given that a recent report from Food Banks Canada indicates that:

1. Canada has reached a critical turning point as poverty and food insecurity worsen in every corner of the country;
2. Nearly half of Canadians feel financially worse-off compared to last year;
3. 1 in 4 Canadians is experiencing food insecurity; and
4. 33.3% of Canadians are experiencing an inadequate standard of living, while 23.7% of Canadians are experiencing a severely inadequate standard of living; and that Food Banks Canada has graded the federal government’s commitment to addressing this crisis as a D, the committee recognize and report to the House that Canada is facing a rapidly worsening affordability and food insecurity crisis; and, pursuant to Standing Order, 108(1)(a), the committee invite the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and officials, as well as representatives from Food Banks Canada, to appear before the committee to testify in relation to these findings as soon as possible, for no less than two hours each, and that the committee find additional resources if necessary to facilitate this meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

At 9:09 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 9:10 a.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued on the motion of Michelle Ferreri.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Scott Aitchison, Rosemarie Falk, Michelle Ferreri, Tracy Gray — 4;

NAYS: Alexandre Boulerice, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Peter Fragiskatos, Wayne Long, Tony Van Bynen — 7.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 9:25 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 9:28 a.m., the meeting resumed.

Jim Facette, André Castonguay and Lori-Anne Gagne made statements and answered questions.