Evidence of meeting #38 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was call.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
If you're making an amendment, where are you sticking in the words?
Mr. Easter.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Why do we need to...? We can call them in anyway. We don't need it in the motion. It's our right to call them in.
What Alex is saying in his motion is that basically the Government of Canada needs to alleviate the competitive disadvantage facing Canadian agri-retailers and farmers as a result of the recently passed U.S. Farm Bill. We know that to be a fact. We can call public security in and have them as witnesses, but I think, if we call them in, we're better having passed this motion beforehand because we have some foundation to work on. It's not locking the government in.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I can do that. I'm only looking for speakers.
Are there any speakers? I see none. Now I'll call the question.
(Motion agreed to)
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Since we have a couple of minutes left, there was a motion that was circulated yesterday by Mr. Storseth.
Do you want to deal with it right now?
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Seeing that we do have time, I would like to read it into the record anyway, Mr. Chair.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Mr. Chair, I move the following:
That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food send a letter to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry informing the Senate Committee that the House Committee has recently completed a study on Bill C-33 in which they heard from a wide range of witnesses and stakeholders, and that as a result of the study is firmly of the position that biofuels production in Canada is beneficial both for the environment and for Canadian agriculture. Furthermore, the House of Commons encourages the Senate to expedite the passage of this important legislation.
11:55 a.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
I find it a little much to say that biofuels production in Canada is beneficial for the environment. We need to be a little more subtle.
You will recall that we in the Bloc Québécois proposed several amendments when we discussed this issue. They dealt with the environmental and energy balance sheet, the life cycle analysis and the social and environmental impact.
In order for me to be able to vote for this motion, I would like to amend it by adding, at the very end, after the word “legislation":
provided that it also pass the amendments proposed by the Bloc Québécois at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.
With that addition, I will support the motion.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Do we have any comments on Mr. Bellavance's amendment?
Mr. Miller.
Noon
Conservative
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
It's pretty hard to vote on something that we're...you know, we're deferring to that and we don't even know what the wordings are. If they're the ones that...or the amendments that he's actually talking about.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
You remember the amendments that the Bloc presented that day in committee. Those are the amendments that he's suggesting. He's simply saying that they adopt the Bloc Québécois amendments.
Are there any other comments?
Mr. Easter--and we're speaking to the amendment.
Noon
Conservative
June 5th, 2008 / noon
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
While I don't disagree with the sentiment of the motion, Brian, we already passed Bill C-33 through committee. We passed it in the House. Definitely the Senate knows much of what you've stated in this motion. Although I support the motion, I would worry that we might get a backlash that here we are, as an agriculture committee, trying to tell those folks of sober second thought what to do. It may gain a backlash. It may not do what you intend it to do.
Noon
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Mr. Chair, I appreciate my colleague's comments, but I do feel it's important that we have our voice heard from the agriculture committee. We've heard Mr. Easter say many times the importance--and I know he supports the importance--of biofuels. I also know that with the Liberal-dominated Senate, Mr. Easter is well respected in those circles. I think his voice being added to this would help expedite the passage of this legislation.
Noon
Conservative
Noon
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
I would like to have a recorded vote on this.
Noon
Conservative
Noon
Conservative
