Agriculture Committee on Oct. 29th, 2013

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

I'd like to call to order the second meeting of Agriculture on Tuesday, October 29.

Welcome, everyone. Not everyone was here the other day, so it's great to have everyone at our second meeting. With that, we will move into committee business, which is routine motions.

My understanding, from experience and particularly with this committee, is that most of them will go through, and they are basically the same as what they have been. As part of the procedure, Michel is suggesting that we go through each one of them. Of course, I'm always at the direction of the committee.

With that, I will start with the routine motions. You will have that in front of you: “Routine motions adopted by the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food during the 41st Parliament, First Session”. The first one is that the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist in its work.

Could I have a mover? Mr. Zimmer.

(Motion agreed to)

The next one is that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and composed of the chair, one member of the New Democratic Party, one member of the Liberal Party, and two members of the Conservative Party.

I need a mover. Mr. Payne.

(Motion agreed to)

The next is meeting without a quorum and the motion is that the chair be authorized to hold meetings and to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four members are present, including one member of the opposition and one of the government.

I need a mover. Ruth Ellen, thank you very much.

All in favour?

Mr. Lemieux.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

It's four members—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

It is.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

—composed of the chair, one member—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

Provided that at least four members are present, including one member of the opposition and one of the government.

It talks about the opposition and the government, but there have to be four, one from the official opposition and one from the government.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Okay.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Is that a change from the proceedings we had before?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

Actually, I'm taking it from the one last year, and the wording is identical to it.

[Malcolm Allen, NDP, Welland, ON]

Three and one, three and one. Three on that side, one here, three on this side, one on this side. It's just for evidence, that's it—no quorum, you couldn't vote, there are no motions.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

For distribution of documents, the motion is that only the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the committee, and only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

It's moved by Mr. Allen.

(Motion agreed to)

For working meals—I don't know if it's going to be as our schedule is set out right now, but one never knows—the motion is that the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Working meals, not sandwiches.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

We have an amendment that might go with it, but I think we can talk about that at the time, should it arise.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

I would propose that the clerk consult with the committee on what the meal choices would be.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

I think there's a bit of a thing about sandwiches after about the second or third meeting.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Jean Michel Roy]

Let's consider that as an instruction to the clerk.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

I think that's moved by Mr. Zimmer.

Any questions?

(Motion agreed to)

The next motion is in regard to travel, accommodation, and living expenses of witnesses: that if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses, not exceeding two representatives per organization, and that in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the chair.

Any discussion?

That is moved by Mr. Dreeshen.

(Motion agreed to)

Next is in camera meetings: that unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff person at an in camera meeting. In addition, each party shall be permitted to have one party staff member attend in camera meetings.

That is moved by Mr. Hoback.

Any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

The next motion is in regard to transcripts of in camera meetings: 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 or by their staff.

That is moved by Mr. Payne.

Any discussion?

(Motion agreed to)

The next one pertains to notices of motion: that a notice of 48 hours, interpreted as two nights—that's the same as two sleeps, I guess, is it?—be required before a member may move a substantive motion, unless it deals directly with the matter before the committee at this time, provided that: (a) this notice be emailed to the committee clerk no later than 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday; (b) that the notice be distributed by email to members in both official languages by the clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour; (c) that notices received after the deadline hour be deemed to have been received during the next business day; and (d) that this rule does not prevent a member from giving notice of a motion orally during a meeting of the committee, in which case notice shall be deemed to have been given before the deadline that day.

Now, how does that work when our committee goes to 5:30 and the notice is to be emailed to committee no later than 4 o'clock? Does oral supercede the 4 o'clock?

[The Clerk]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

Only because the committee is sitting?

[The Clerk]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

Okay.

Are there any questions?

Mark.

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Does this also have to be in two official languages, or is just one language fine?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bev Shipley]

Yes: if there's an oral one, how does that work?

[The Clerk]

If it's oral, of course, it will be interpreted. If I receive it by email before it's sent to all the members of the committee, I'll have it translated.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

So I could do a motion in English, and you'll translate it to present it to the committee.