AGRI Committee Meeting

Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.

For an advanced search, use Publication Search tool.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the accessibility of this publication, please contact us at accessible@parl.gc.ca.

Previous day publication Next day publication

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 40

Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 213, Wellington Building, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, James Bezan, Hon. Wayne Easter, Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Lloyd St. Amand, Brian Storseth and Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac.

Acting Members present: Hon. John Godfrey for Paul Steckle, Joe Preston for Guy Lauzon, Bev Shipley for Hon. Carol Skelton and Borys Wrzesnewskyj for Ken Boshcoff.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Jean-Denis Fréchette, Principal ; Nathalie Pothier, Analyst.

Witnesses: Association des producteurs de tabac jaune du Québec: Gaétan Beaulieu, Chair; Christian Boisjoly, Director. National Farmers Union: Joe Dama, Board Member. Tobacco Farmers In Crisis: Jon Lechowicz, Farmer. Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board: Fred Neukamm, Vice-Chair. Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food: Joe Preston. National Farmers Union: Garry Proven, Board Member. Tobacco Farmers In Crisis: Peter Van Berlo, Farmer. Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers' Marketing Board: Linda Vandendriessche, Chair.

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

Guy Lauzon moved, — That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food urges the Government of Canada to ensure Canadian farmers are not saddled with a carbon tax which would further increase their input costs and hurt their competitiveness vis-à-vis their American competitors.

Debate arose thereon.

Wayne Easter moved, — That the debate on the motion be now adjourned and that the motion be reconsidered at the next Committee's meeting.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Alex Atamanenko, André Bellavance, Wayne Easter, John Godfrey, Lloyd St. Amand, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac — 6; NAYS: Guy Lauzon, Larry Miller, Bev Shipley, Brian Storseth — 4.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its study on the Tobacco Production in Canada.

Joe Preston made an opening statement and answered questions.

Garry Proven made an opening statement and answered questions.

Linda Vandendriessche made an opening statement and answered questions.

Peter Neukamm answered questions.

At 10:03 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:37 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Jon Lechowicz made an opening statement and, with Peter Van Berlo, answered questions.

Gaétan Beaulieu made an opening statement and, with Christian Boisjoly, answered questions.

At 12:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Georges Etoka
Committee Clerk

2008/10/08 10:49 a.m.