AGRI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 19

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, James Bezan, Ken Boshcoff, Hon. Wayne Easter, Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Hon. Carol Skelton, Lloyd St. Amand, Paul Steckle, Brian Storseth and Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac.

Acting Members present: David Anderson for Larry Miller.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean-Denis Fréchette, Principal.

Witnesses: Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Pierre Corriveau, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management; Andrew Marsland, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy Branch; Susie Miller, Director General, Food Value Chain Bureau, Market and Industry Services Branch. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Cameron Prince, Vice-President, Operations. Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Nada Semaan, Assistant Deputy Minister, Farm Financial Programs Branch. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Gordon R. White, Vice-President, Finance, Administration and Information Technology; Sandra Wing, Vice-President, Policy and Programs. Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Rosser Lloyd, Director, Income Stabilization, Program Development.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), the Committee commenced consideration of the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2007-2008: Votes 1b, 5b, 10b, 12b and 30b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD referred to the Committee on Thursday, February 14, 2008.

Pierre Corriveau made a statement and, with Nada Semaan, Andrew Marsland and Suzie Miller, answered questions.

At 10:02 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:07 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Sandra Wing made a statement and, with Cameron Prince and Gordon R. White, answered questions.

The Chair calls Vote 1b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD.

Vote 1b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD carried.

The Chair called Vote 5b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD.

Vote 5b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD carried.

The Chair calls Vote 10b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD.

Vote 10b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD carried.

The Chair calls Vote 12b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD.

Vote 12b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD carried.

The Chair calls Vote 30b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD.

Vote 30b under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD carried.

It was agreed, — That the Chair report Votes 1b, 5b, 10b, 12b and 30b, under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD to the House.

The Committee resumed to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

On motion of Wayne Easter, it was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food be granted an operational budget of 29500$ for its study of High Input Costs for Farmers.

Wayne Easter moved, — That this committee call upon the Minister of Agriculture & Agri-food to respect the Federal Court of Appeal decision upholding the previous Federal Court decision concerning the Canadian Wheat Board and to adhere to the provisions of Section 47.1 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act prior to any legislation being introduced by the government concerning the Canadian Wheat Board. Any proposed legislation to the Canadian Wheat Board Act which would seek to exclude barley or wheat from the single desk selling authority of the board requires first, consultation with the board and second approval by producers in a vote authorizing that specific exclusion.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, Ken Boshcoff, Wayne Easter, Lloyd St. Amand, Paul Steckle, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 7; NAYS: David Anderson, Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Carol Skelton — 4.

At 11:02 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Jean-François Lafleur
Clerk of the Committee

2008/03/05 1:37 p.m.