Evidence of meeting #64 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was farmers.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Jean-François Lafleur
Pierre Corriveau  Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Denise Dewar  Vice-President, CropLife, Grow Canada
Bob Friesen  President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Terry Betker  Former Member, National Safety Net Advisory Board, As an Individual
Richard Phillips  Executive Director, Grain Growers of Canada, Grow Canada
Justin To  Executive Director, Canadian Federation of Agriculture

5:20 p.m.

President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture

Bob Friesen

I don't think we came out very strongly against it; our focus was to make sure it would work, and that if there was money left over it would be directed back at agricultural programs. We did have some members who came out against it fairly strongly.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON

One of the reasons it was cancelled, whether you agree with it or not, was because of the criticism from the different groups.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

Before you go, Mr. Friesen, I just want to ask...you guys were talking about labelling. Do you support country-of-origin labelling here in Canada?

5:20 p.m.

President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture

Bob Friesen

No, not mandatory.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

Not mandatory. Okay. What about the COOL regulations they were talking about, down in the U.S.?

5:20 p.m.

President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Bezan

You're opposed to that as well.

The bells are ringing and we have to get over to the House of Commons for votes. I ask that everybody motor on over there.

Thank you very much for coming in and helping us with our study on the APF.

The meeting is adjourned.