AGRI Committee Meeting
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 23
Thursday, March 30, 2000
The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 9:03 a.m., this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, John Harvard, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Hélène Alarie, Rick Borotsik, Murray Calder, Odina Desrochers, John Harvard, Howard Hilstrom, Gar Knutson, Larry McCormick, Joe McGuire, Ian Murray, Dick Proctor, Gerry Ritz, Rose-Marie Ur.
Other Member present: Jake Hoeppner.
In attendance: From Parliamentary Research Branch - Library of Parliament: Frédéric Forge, Researcher; Jean-Denis Fréchette, Economist.
Witnesses: From the Office of the Auditor General of Canada: L. Denis Desautels, Auditor General of Canada; Douglas Timmins, Assistant Auditor General; Neil Maxwell, Principal, Audit Operations Branch. From the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Andrew Graham, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Branch. From the Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Jean Chartier, Vice-President, Public and Regulatory Affairs. From the Canadian Grain Commission: Dennis Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer.
Pursuant to a motion agreed to by the Committee on Tuesday, March 16, 2000, which reads:
-- That , Whereas, this Committee passed the following Motion on December 15, 1999:
--That, this Committee study and report to the House about a clear and mandatory labeling mechanism for genetically modified organisms.
Whereas, such a study would also be of interest to the Standing Committee on Health.
The Chair of this Committee undertake immediate discussions with the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health with a view towards establishing an appropriate Sub-Committee on both Committees and that he report to this Committee no later than two weeks from today.
The Chair reported that an agreement could not be reached with the Standing Committee on Health to jointly study the labelling of Genetically Modified Organisms. Therefore, the Committee will be undertaking the study as originally agreed to, on December 15, 1999 (See Minutes No. 17).
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to examine the Auditor General's Report of September 1999, - Chapter 11 - Agriculture Portfolio on User Charges.
L. Denis Desautels, Andrew Graham, Jean Chartier and Dennis Kennedy made opening statements and with other witnesses, answered questions.
At 10:39 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Georges Etoka
Clerk of the Committee