AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 11:02 a.m. this day, in Room 269 West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Wayne Easter, it was agreed, — That Paul Steckle be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Rick Borotsik, it was agreed, — That Gerry Ritz be elected as Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Nick Discepola, it was agreed, — That Rose-Marie Ur be elected as Government Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Larry McCormick moved, — That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary and a representative of the Conservative Party of Canada, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party do compose the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

David Kilgour moved, — That the motion be amended by striking out the following words after the word vice-chairs: “the Parliamentary Secretary“ .

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of David Kilgour and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 1.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on division.

On motion of John O'Reilly, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that the Chair and at least five (5) members are present, including one (1) member of the opposition and provided that if no member of the opposition is present ten (10) minutes after the designated start of the meeting, the meeting may proceed.

On motion of Larry McCormick, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

Larry McCormick moved, — That witnesses be given (10) minutes to make their opening statement; That during the questioning of witnesses the time allocated to each questioner be as follows: On the first round of questioning, seven (7) minutes to a representative of each party in the following order: Conservative Party of Canada, Bloc Québécois, Liberal, and NDP. On the following rounds of questioning, five (5) minutes per party alternating between the government and opposition parties; and that the allocation of time for questioning be applied for all witnesses, including Ministers.

Rick Borotsik moved, — That the motion be amended by striking out the following words after the word “witnesses“: “including Ministers“.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Rick Borotsik and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, after debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee and can be destroyed at the end of each session of Parliament.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 111(4), whenever an Order in Council for appointment or a certificate of nomination for appointment is referred to the Committee, the Clerk shall obtain and circulate to each member of the Committee a copy of the curriculum vitae of each appointee/nominee.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to the Members of the Committee only when they are available in both official languages.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnessses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; and that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Chair, from time to time, as the need arises, to take, in conjunction with the Clerk of the Committee the appropriate measures to provide meals for the Committee and its Sub-committees, for working purposes, and that the cost of these meals be charged to the budget of the Committee.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That unless there is unanimous consent of the Members of the Committee, forty-eight (48) hours notice must be given to members of the Committee before any new item of business is considered by the Committee and, that the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to all members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the clerk will put the motion on the agenda of the committee’s next meeting.

Gerry Ritz moved, — That whenever the Main Estimates or the Supplementary Estimates are tabled in the House, the Committee invite the Minister and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a televised meeting of the Committee.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Gerry Ritz moved, — That whenever a Chapter of a Report of the Auditor General refers to a subject under the mandate of the Committee, the Committee invite the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and any relevant Senior Officials of a Department to appear at a televised meeting of the Committee at the earliest.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in camera to examine its future business.

It was agreed, — That the Commissioner of the Competition Bureau be invited to appear before the Committee, on Monday, February 16, 2004, on the issue of the BSE Crisis in Canada and the pricing of Beef at the Slaughter, Wholesale and Retail levels.

It was agreed, — That the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food be invited to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, to discuss about the current and future government programs and matters related to the crisis affecting the agricultural industry in Canada.

It was agreed, — That the Major Meat Packers be invited to appear before the Committee, on Monday, February 23, 2004, on the issue of the BSE crisis in Canada and the pricing of Beef at the Slaughter, Wholesale and Retail levels.

At 11:59 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.