AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

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

By unanimous consent the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Pierre Lemieux, it was agreed, — That Malcolm Allen be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Randy Hoback, it was agreed, — That Francis Valeriote be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Larry Miller took the Chair.

On motion of LaVar Payne, it was agreed, — 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.

Francine Raynault moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and composed of the Chair, the two (2) Vice-Chairs and the Parliamentary Secretary.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the two (2) Vice-Chairs and the Parliamentary Secretary” by the words “one (1) member of the New Democratic Party, one (1) member of the Liberal party and two (2) members of the Conservative Party”.

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

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and composed of the Chair, one (1) member of the New Democratic party, one (1) member of the Liberal party and two (2) members of the Conservative party.

On motion of Bob Zimmer, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings and to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four (4) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one of the government.

On motion of Frank Valeriote, it was agreed, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee and only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

On motion of LaVar Payne, 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 Randy Hoback, 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 Frank Valeriote, it was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one (1) staff person at an in camera meeting. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one (1) party staff member attend in camera meetings.

On motion of Randy Hoback, 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 or by their staff.

On motion of Pierre Lemieux, it was agreed, — That a notice of 48 hours, interpreted as two nights, be required before a member may move a substantive motion, unless it deals directly with the matter before the Committee at this time, provided that: (a) this notice be emailed to the Committee Clerk no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday; (b) that the notice be distributed by e-mail to members in both official languages by the Clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; (c) that notices received after the deadline hour be deemed to have been received during the next business day; and (d) that this rule does not prevent a member from giving notice of a motion orally during a meeting of the Committee, in which case notice shall be deemed to have been given before the deadline that day.

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 five (5) minutes for the first two rounds of questioning, and that subsequent rounds of questioning be at the discretion of the Chair.

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

Frank Valeriote moved, — That the order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: Conservatives, New Democrats and Liberals. Questioning during the second round shall be as follows: Conservatives, New Democrats, Conservatives, New Democrats, Conservatives, New Democrats, Conservatives and Conservatives. Based on the principle that each committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witnesses. If time permits, further rounds shall be at the discretion of the Chair.

Brian Storseth moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “Conservative, New Democratic Party” after “for the first round of questioning shall be as follows:” by the words “New Democratic Party, Conservative”.

The question was put on the amendment of Brian Storseth and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the order of questions for the first round of questioning shall be as follows: New Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals. Questioning during the second round shall be as follows: Conservatives, New Democrats, Conservatives, New Democrats, Conservatives, New Democrats, Conservatives and Conservatives. Based on the principle that each committee member should have a full opportunity to question the witnesses. If time permits, further rounds shall be at the discretion of the Chair.

At 4:20 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.