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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
 
Meeting No. 34
 
Thursday, October 22, 2009
 

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Larry Miller, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, Hon. Wayne Easter, Hon. Mark Eyking, Randy Hoback, Pierre Lemieux, Larry Miller, Blake Richards, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth and Francis Valeriote.

 

Acting Members present: Phil McColeman for Randy Hoback and Louis Plamondon for France Bonsant.

 

Associate Members present: Malcolm Allen.

 

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Aïcha Coulibaly, Analyst; Frédéric Forge, Analyst.

 

Witnesses: Department of Transport: Kristine Burr, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Group; Peter Lavallée, Director, Rail Policy, Surface Transportation Policy ; John Doran, Policy Advisor, Surface Policy. Canadian National: Sean Finn, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Legal Officer; Jean-Jacques Ruest, Senior Vice-President, Marketing, Sales and Marketing. As an individual: Cam Goff. Canadian Wheat Board: Larry Hill, Chair, Board of Directors; Ian White, President and Chief Executive Officer.

 
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, the Committee resumed its study of the competitiveness of Canadian agriculture.
 

Jean-Jacques Ruest, Larry Hill and Cam Goff made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

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

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to the consideration of Alex Atamanenko's second motion on the list of notices of motions.

 

Alex Atamanenko moved, — That the Committee recommend the government immediately instruct Canada's negotiator to indicate through the proper channels at the World Trade Organization that the text which undermines or weakens Canada's State Trading Enterprises and Supply Management systems must be removed from the DOHA agreement and that this be reported to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

 

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “through the proper channels at the World Trade Organization that the text which undermines or weakens Canada's State Trading Enterprises and Supply Management systems must be removed from the DOHA agreement and that this be reported to the House” with the words “to the World Trade Organization that Canada will continue our strong support for supply-managed sectors and that any decisions regarding the future of Canada's state trading enterprises will be made domestically and that Canada will continue to push for new opportunities for Canadian agricultural exporters by advocating the elimination of export subsidies and removal of trade barriers”.

 

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Lemieux and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Pierre Lemieux, Phil McColeman, Blake Richards, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth — 5; NAYS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, Wayne Easter, Mark Eyking, Louis Plamondon, Francis Valeriote — 6.

 

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, Wayne Easter, Mark Eyking, Louis Plamondon, Francis Valeriote — 6; NAYS: — 0.

 

At 5:33 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 



Isabelle Duford
Clerk of the Committee

 
 
2009/10/26 9:36 a.m.