MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1998
(Meeting No. 69)

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met in camera at 3:46 p.m., this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, John Harvard, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Hélène Alarie, Rick Borotsik, Garry Breitkreuz, Murray Calder, Denis Coderre, Odina Desrochers, John Harvard, Howard Hilstrom, Jake Hoeppner, Larry McCormick, Joe McGuire, Denis Paradis, Dick Proctor, Paul Steckle and Rose-Marie Ur.

Acting Members present: Judi Longfield for Paul Bonwick, Wayne Easter for Paul Bonwick.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Frédéric Forge, Researcher and Jean-Denis Fréchette, Economist.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and its Order of Reference dated October 27, 1998, the committee resumed the study of the upcoming crisis in farm incomes (See Minutes of the Committee of October 27, 1998, Meeting No. 51).

The Committee proceeded to meet in camera to consider a Draft Report on the Farm Income Crisis.

It was agreed, on motion of Larry McCormick, - That, the Chair be authorized to make some typographical and editorial changes to the Report without changing its substance.

Denis Paradis moved, - That, the Draft Report, as amended, be adopted as the Committee's Fourth Report, and that the Chair be instructed to present it to the House, with minority Reports, provided that they be presented to the Clerk, no later than 7:00 p.m., tomorrow, Tuesday, December 8, 1998.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: Yeas 14, Nays 0.

It was agreed, on motion of Denis Paradis, - That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the Report within one hundred and fifty (150) days.

It was agreed, on motion of Larry McCormick, - That, the Committee print 1000 copies of its Fourth Report in bilingual format, and that the same Report be made available on the Internet in both official languages.

It was agreed, - That the Committee will seek funds to pay for the cost of printing an extra 450 copies of the Report, above the allocated number of 550 copies.

At 5:06 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.