AGRI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 3:36 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Larry Miller, it was agreed, — That James Bezan be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Lloyd St. Amand, it was agreed, — That Paul Steckle be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Jean-Yves Roy, it was agreed, — That André Bellavance be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

James Bezan took the Chair.

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

David Anderson moved, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work. These services may be requested at the discretion of the Chair.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Guy Lauzon moved, — That the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, one member of the NDP and one additional member from the Conservatives. Quorum of the Sub-committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, one of whom must be from the government. Each member of the sub-committee shall be permitted to have one assistant attend at any meetings of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Ken Boshcoff moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and composed of the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and a member of the other opposition party.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.

Larry Miller moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government. In the case of previously scheduled meetings taking place outside the Parliamentary precinct, the Committee members in attendance shall only be required to wait for 15 minutes following the designated start of the meeting before they may proceed to hear witnesses and receive evidence, regardless of whether opposition or government members are present.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Lloyd St. Amand moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least 5 members are present including one member of the opposition.

On motion of Pat Martin, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “opposition” the following: “and one member of government”.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least 5 members are present including one member of the opposition and one member of the government.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 0.

Paul Steckle moved, — That only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to the members of the Committee and only when such documents exist in both official languages.

Debate arose thereon.

David Anderson moved, — That the motion be amended by adding between the words “documents” and “to ” the following: “including motions” and;

adding after the word “languages.” the following: “The Clerk shall advise all witnesses appearing before the committee of this requirement”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of David Anderson and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Paul Steckle moved, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 0.

David Anderson moved, — That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee up to a maximum of two (2) representatives from any one organization, and that if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of the witnesses shall be reimbursed.

André Bellavance moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “reimbursed.” the following: “In exceptional circumstances payment of more representatives be at the discretion of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of André Bellavance and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, as established by the Board of Internal Economy and if requested, reasonable travelling, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses who are invited to appear before the Committee up to a maximum of two (2) representatives from any one organization, and that if requested, reasonable childcare expenses of the witnesses shall be reimbursed. In exceptional circumstances payment of more representatives be at the discretion of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

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

Paul Steckle moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

Ken Boshcoff moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “meeting.” the following: “,and that staff member could be a member from the house leader's office, the whip's office or the research department of the party, or the member's office”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ken Boshcoff and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting and that staff member could be a member from the House leader's office, the Whip's office or the research department of the party, or the Member's office.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

Lloyd St. Amand moved, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

Debate arose thereon.

David Anderson moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “Committee” the following: “and that these transcripts de destroyed at the end of the session”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of David Anderson and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

David Anderson moved, — That 48 hours notice will be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the committee, that the period of notice be calculated from the time the motion has been distributed to the members of the committee by the clerk of the committee. The motion shall be distributed to members in both official languages and all motions received by the Clerk shall be placed upon the agenda of the first committee meeting following the period of notice.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and the results of the vote was announced: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the affirmative.

Accordingly, the motion was agreed to.

André Bellavance moved, — That witnesses be given 10 minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated 7 minutes for the first questioner of each party; that, before the second round of questioning, other members who have not spoken and who wish to speak may do so for 5 minutes; and that, thereafter, 5 minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between Government and opposition parties: First round: Liberal, Bloc Québécois, Conservative, New Democratic Party; Second Round: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois, Conservative; Third Round: Liberal, Conservative; Fourth Round: Liberal, Conservative, Bloc Québécois.

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.

David Anderson moved, — That the consideration and examination of any Bill, government or private member's bill, which falls within the express mandate of the committee shall take precedence over any study or non-legislative examination and motions. In such circumstances the non-legislative study shall be deferred until such time as the Bill is reported back to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

David Anderson moved, — All motions shall be moved by their sponsor within two (2) meetings of their first being listed on the agenda as Committee business, failing which the motion shall be deemed abandoned by the mover and shall be dispensed with and may no longer be subject to Committee consideration.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 7.

David Anderson moved, — That every party shall have the right to attach, as an annex, a dissenting opinion on any report to be presented to the House of Commons by the Committee; and that this dissenting opinion shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee within 72 hours of the passing of the report by the committee.

Debate arose thereon.

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

At 5:25 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.