SFSA Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 5

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Subcommittee on Food Safety of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met in a televised session at 4:00 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Larry Miller, presiding.

Members of the Subcommittee present: Malcolm Allen, David Anderson, André Bellavance, Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Hon. Wayne Easter, Larry Miller and Bev Shipley.

Acting Members present: Siobhan Coady for Hon. Carolyn Bennett and Kirsty Duncan for Hon. Wayne Easter.

Other Members present: Pierre Lemieux, Brian Storseth and Merv C. Tweed.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Frédéric Forge, Analyst ; Sonya Norris, Analyst.

Appearing: Hon. Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Witnesses: Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Stephen Baker, Vice-President, Finance, Administration and Information Technology; Cameron Prince, Vice-President, Operations; Paul Mayers, Associate Vice-President, Programs; Carole Swan, President; Brian Evans, Executive Vice-President. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association: Brenda Lammens, Chair. Grain Growers of Canada: Theresa Bergsma, Chair, Farm Food Safety Committee; Dale Riddell, Program Manager, Farm Food Safety Initiative. As individuals: Ron Usborne, Food Safety and Quality Systems Specialist; Richard (Rick) Holley, Professor, Department of Food Science, University of Manitoba.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Order of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food made Thursday, February 12, 2009 and the motion adopted by the Subcommittee on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, the Subcommittee resumed its study of food safety.

The Minister made a statement and, with Cameron Prince, answered questions.

At 5:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:12 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Brenda Lammens and Theresa Bergsma made statements and, with Dale Riddell, answered questions.

At 6:07 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 6:14 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Ron Usborne and Rick Holley made statements and answered questions.

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

Malcolm Allen moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1) and the order of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food of February 12, 2009, the Subcommittee on Food Safety send for copies, to be delivered by May 27, 2009, of any notes taken and of any briefing or communications materials provided by lobbyists for Maple Leaf Foods Incorporated to the following list of Designated Public Office Holders on the dates retrieved from the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada: on December 4, 2008, to the Hon. Vic Toews; on August 29, 2008, to the Hon. Jim Prentice; on September 4, 2008, to the Hon. Gerry Ritz; on July 24, September 4 and November 5, 2008, to Brian Evans; on October 17, 2008, to Kevin Lynch; on August 25, 28 and 29, September 12 and 17, October 10 and 14, and November 7, 2008, to Carole Swan; on September 12, 2008, to Paul Benoit; on September 4, 2008, to Cameron Prince; on August 29, 2008, to Laurie Throness; on August 23 and 26, 2008, to Stephany Crowley; on July 25, 2008, to Meena Ballantyne; and on July 25, 2008, to Aaron Gairdner.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 0.

At 7:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 7:32 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That, to support its study of food safety, the Subcommittee adopt the proposed budget in the amount of $102,800, and that the Chair present the budget to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food for its approval and subsequent presentation to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Liaison Committee.

At 7:34 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Andrew Bartholomew Chaplin
Clerk of the Subcommittee

2009/05/19 11:43 a.m.