AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 11:09 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Pierre Lemieux, it was agreed, — That Larry Miller be elected Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Brian Storseth, it was agreed, — That Mark Eyking be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of France Bonsant, it was agreed, — That André Bellavance be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Larry Miller took the Chair.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

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

Wayne Easter moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “ the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party ” with the words “ a member from the government, and a member from each of the opposition parties ”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Lemieux and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “three (3)” with the word “four (4)”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Lemieux and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Brian Storseth, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

On motion of Brian Storseth, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

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

On motion of Brian Storseth, it was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.

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

Wayne Easter moved, — That 48 hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages.

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

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That witnesses shall be allowed up to ten (10) minutes to make their opening statement. During the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first round of questioning, and that thereafter five (5) minutes shall be allocated to each questioner in the second and subsequent rounds of questioning at the discretion of the Chair.

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

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the Order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party (NDP), Conservative (CPC) and that questioning during the second round shall alternate between the Opposition members and Government members, in the following fashion: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc, Conservative, Liberal, Conservative, based on the principle that each committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witnesses and that if time permits, further rounds shall be at the discretion of the Chair.

Debate arose thereon.

Alex Atamanenko moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the following words “ in the following fashion: Liberal, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Liberal, Conservative Party ” the following: “, New Democratic Party ”.

Debate arose thereon.

Brian Storseth raised a point of order questioning the admissibility of the amendment as it went against the principle of the motion.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The amendment is admissible and is within the principle of the motion.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Alex Atamanenko and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 1; NAYS: 10.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 10; NAYS: 1.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Thursday, February 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..

Brian Storseth gave notice of the following motion: That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food conduct a study of the Competition Act and make recommendations on potential changes in light of the global economy and the effect the lack of competition and pricing is having on farmer’s ability to produce and sell their products.

Randy Hoback gave notice of the following motion: That the Committee study the effect of the current regulations on the competitiveness of farm products produced in Canada versus similar products that are imported from other countries and that in this review, the Committee should study the current validity of existing regulations and identify those regulations which are no longer relevant in order to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers.

Pierre Lemieux gave notice of the following motion: That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food study International Trade and Market Development to the benefit of our farmers.

At 12:44 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.