AGRI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 5

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 9:02 a.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Gerry Ritz, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: David Anderson, Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, James Bezan, Ken Boshcoff, Claude DeBellefeuille, Hon. Wayne Easter, Larry Miller, Gerry Ritz and Paul Steckle.

Acting Members present: John Maloney for Gary Merasty.

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

Appearing: Hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Witnesses: Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Graham Barr, Director, Multilateral Trade Policy Division. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Judith Bossé, Vice-President, Science; Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer . Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Marc Fortin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Research Branch; Danny Foster, Director General, Business Risk Management Program Development. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: André Gravel, Executive Vice-President; François Guimont, President. Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Terry Hearn, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management; Andrew Marsland, Assistant Deputy Minister, Market and Industry Services Branch. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Krista L. Mountjoy, Vice-President, Programs. Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Christiane Ouimet, Associate Deputy Minister. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Cameron Prince, Vice-President, Operations; Kristine Stolarik, Executive Director, Corporate Services Secretariat. Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Suzanne Vinet, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy Branch. Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Gordon R. White, Vice-President, Finance, Administration and Information Technology.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its study of Ministerial Priorities.

The Minister made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 10 A.M., the sitting was suspended.

At 10: 10 A.M., the sitting resumed.

The Department Officials answered questions.

At 10:33 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:36 a.m., the sitting resumed.

The Officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency made statements and answered questions.

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

Alex Atamanenko moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture support the federal government decision to retain ownership of the hopper car fleet providing;

a) The revenue cap is reduced to reflect actual maintenance costs.

b) The rail hopper cars are replaced and modernized as soon as possible, ideally at no cost to the farmers.

c) That federal government ensures that the assets are properly managed on behalf of the farmers. .

Debate arose thereon.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing all the words after “That” with the words “in view of the federal government’s decision to renege on the agreement in principle between itself and the Farmer Rail Car Coalition that the Standing Committee on Agriculture call upon the federal government to retain ownership of the hopper car fleet and commit to the following:

a) The revenue cap is reduced to reflect the actual maintenance costs estimated by the Canadian Transportation Agency to be for the sample year 2004, $1,686 rather than the$4,329 per car, per year.

b) That the federal government rail hopper cars be modernized and ultimately replaced as soon as possible, and that the costs of replacement be borne by the federal government.

c) That federal government provide assurances that the assets are properly managed on behalf of the farmers. ”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Wayne Easter and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

Alex Atamanenko moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food support the idea that the Auditor General undertake an investigation into the possible misuse of rail hopper cars maintenances costs since 1992.

Debate arose thereon.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the idea” with the words “a request from this committee”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Wayne Easter and it was agreed to on division.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 0.

At 11:27 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Philippe Méla
Clerk of the Committee

2007/10/25 11:09 a.m.