AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Vice-Chair, Hon. Mark Eyking, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 9,100, in relation to the study on the crisis in the hog sector, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 10,600, in relation to the study on program review, be adopted.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Bev Shipley, — That the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Agri-Food study the future of farming with a particular focus on young farmers.

The debate continued.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the future of farming with a particular focus on young farmers” with the words “government and industry initiatives around the future of farming focusing on young farmers and their involvement in agriculture”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre Lemieux and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Standing Committee of Agriculture and Agri-Food study government and industry initiatives around the future of farming focusing on young farmers and their involvement in agriculture.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: André Bellavance, James Bezan, France Bonsant, Wayne Easter, Randy Hoback, Carol Hughes, Pierre Lemieux, Joe Preston, Francis Scarpaleggia, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth — 11; NAYS: — 0.

Pierre Lemieux moved, — That, notwithstanding the agenda, the Committee prolong Committee Business in order to continue with motions.

Debate arose thereon.

A point of order was raised regarding the type of motion moved by Pierre Lemieux and whether or not it was a dilatory motion requiring an immediate vote.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the motion to be a substantive motion and allowed debate to continue.

Whereupon, Pierre Lemieux appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

André Bellavance moved, — That witnesses be now heard.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food undertake a study into the activities of Corrections Canada's prison farm operations; and that the committee travel at least to the facilities located in Kingston, Ontario in order to hear testimony from those involved in the operation of the facilities from across the country; that the study's conclusions and recommendations be reported back to the House; and that the committee comment on the government's attitude toward the farming community as reflected in the statements by the Minister of Public Safety.

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

It was agreed, — That the Committee sit until 6:00 p.m.; and that witnesses from the Ontario-Québec Grain Farmers Coalition be now heard.

Erin Fletcher and William Van Tassel made statements and answered questions.

It was agreed, — That, notwithstanding the motion adopted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 five (5) minutes be allocated to each questioner during the questioning of witnesses.

At 5:45 p.m., André Bellavance took the Chair.

At 5:59 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.