AGRI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 24

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 11:05 this day, in Room 701, La Promenade Building, Gerry Ritz, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: David Anderson, Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, James Bezan, Ken Boshcoff, Hon. Wayne Easter, Jacques Gourde, Larry Miller, Gerry Ritz, Jean-Yves Roy, Paul Steckle and Hon. Robert Thibault.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean-Denis Fréchette, Principal.

Witnesses: Canadian Cooperative Association: Herb Carlson, Member of the Board of Directors. Pike Management Group: Gary Pike, Chief Executive Officer. Grain Growers of Canada: Jim Smolik, President. As an individual: Al Loyns.

Other Participants present: Library of Parliament: Elizabeth Kuruvila, Analyst.

It was agreed, — That, the committee modifies its agenda for the first hour of its business consideration to rather study a motion from M. Bellavance on the golden nematode and, to resume its study on the Canadian Grain Commission.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of golden nematode.

André Bellavance moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study the matter of the golden nematode that is affecting the Saint-Amable region of Quebec. That, as soon as possible, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food report the following recommendations to the House of Commons:

1. That, given the lifting of the American embargo, except for the regulated area of Saint-Amable, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food recommend that the government consider the advisability of intervening immediately by instituting a financial aid program specifically for the producers affected by the golden nematode, as existing programs are ineffective;

2. That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food also recommend that the government institute a process to determine potential solutions following the review of the extent of the medium- and long-term losses for operations located within the regulated area and that the assessment of losses be assigned to an outside firm, as was the case for Quebec’s tobacco producers.

Debate arose thereon.

Jacques Gourde moved, — That the motion be amended by adding between the words “government” and “consider” the following: “, in cooperation with the affected producers,”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion 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.

At 11:23 a.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

At 11:23, the sitting was suspended.

At 11:24, the sitting resumed in camera.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of Canadian Grain Commission.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

At 12:03, the sitting was suspended.

At 12:08, the sitting resumed in public.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of Canadian Wheat Board.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, the members have 5 minutes to question witnesses.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 1:16 , the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Jean-François Lafleur
Clerk of the Committee

2007/10/25 11:14 a.m.