AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 11:07 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Larry Miller, presiding.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

Earl Dreeshen moved, — That the Committee Clerk arrange for the Committee to travel to Manitoba to tour the Canada Grain Commission, Canadian Wheat Board, Canadian International Grains Institute, a Grain Terminal and a Slaughter Plant in April, and schedule a public meeting while in Winnipeg to hear witnesses.

Debate arose thereon.

André Bellavance moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “in April”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of André Bellavance and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.

Brian Storseth moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 2.

Brian Storseth moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, call before it the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to examine and answer questions regarding the Potato Cyst Nematode and the effect their regulations have had on Potato farmers who have suffered severe losses. And to discuss specifically farms who have been quarantined and/or had their operations closed by an inadequate sampling.

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

André Bellavance moved, — That the Committee invite the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to appear with regard to the appearance of the golden nematode in the St. Ambale region, and that it also invite affected farmers or their representatives in order to develop solutions to compensate them and rehabilitate the infested farmlands.

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

André Bellavance moved, — That the Committee study the repercussions of the government’s decision to set the standard for using the “Product of Canada” claim at 98%.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food contact the office of the Minister of Agriculture of Agriculture and Agri-Food, in writing, requesting answers to the following questions:

1. When did the Minister of Agriculture or his department receive the Canadian Wheat Board’s (CWB) financial statement which he tabled in the House on February 11, 2009? Were those financial statements reviewed by the Minister or officials of his department or any other department prior to their being table and was the Minister provided with a report?

2. When did the Minister first contact the CWB concerning the issue of the contingency fund issue which he expressed such concern about on February 11th?

3. Did the Minister call upon the Auditor General to examine the issue of the contingency fund issue and if not why not?

4. Is the Minister prepared to state in writing that he is questioning the audit of the CWB’s Financial Statements he tabled in the House on February 11, 2009 given that he and members of the government have made public statements drawing that audit and its findings into question? If he has found no fault with the audit will he state that in writing?

5. The Minister stated that in the House of February 11, 2009 at p. 679 of Hansard referring to western Canadian farmers that “they asked me to point out these flaws” When did these “farmers” contact the Minister, were they members of the CWB Board of Directors? If not did they have access to the CWB financial statements prior to the Minister tabling them in the House? ; and

That the Chair of the Committee request that the response to each of the questions from the office of the Minister be provided to the Clerk of the Committee no later than March 9, 2009.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Alex Atamanenko, it was agreed, — That the Committee do now adjourn.

At 1:11 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.