Agriculture Committee on Sept. 28th, 2006

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

There are a couple of ways we could have Ms. Charlton come forward. It would take some time even by teleconference. I think it's a good suggestion of André's to have her come when the Canadian Wheat Board is here as a witness. There is some urgency. The task force was already tainted enough, and this taints one of the members and suggests connections with another. I'd say we should move quickly on this matter.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

The Wheat Board meeting now is scheduled for the week of October 19, which is within that four-week mandate.

Is that suitable? No? What else do you propose?

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

I made my proposal that if we're going to look at this we take an extensive look at it and that we do a comprehensive study of it. That's what my proposal is, and if they want to look into it, let's look into the whole issue.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Then let's put it forward in the form of a motion and we'll vote.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

We have a motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

You do, but it doesn't entertain the timeframe component. That seems to be the discussion. No one is disagreeing with this, Mr. Easter. What we're saying is how do we do it and when do we do it.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I believe David mentioned the Wheat Board. They are here on October 19. That would cover both. And I think those are the two key bodies. So I think that would be fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Okay.

Mr. Miller.

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Yes. With the information that I've heard here, just having that one day to hear Ms. Charlton and the Wheat Board, I don't think that's near enough time. There are all kinds of allegations out here, and to just plan on one day...I'm hearing that this thing has the potential to be a lot more detailed and complex than we're maybe anticipating.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Our meeting for the Wheat Board too, just to remind you, is with Mr. Measner, Mr. Ritter, and Mr. Motiuk. So we had an hour and then a second hour and so on, and now we're going to add a third hour? Or how do you envision this?

[Jean-Yves Roy, Bloc, Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mister Chairman, I think that before discussing a possible date, we should consider the motion. Do we or do we not allow this motion? If we do, we’ll discuss the date. It’s the logical way to proceed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Fair enough.

Mr. Anderson.

[David Anderson, Conservative, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

One point. If you're tying this into the Wheat Board, she does not mention the Wheat Board in the email, from what I understand. I've seen copies of it, so make your assumptions as you will.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

The motion is on the floor and I will call a vote. I will call the question on the motion.

Does everybody understand the motion? Those in favour of the motion, please raise your hands. Those opposed to the motion?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Now we're back to the discussion of where, when, who, and how do we fit it in. Do we want to continue this discussion on Tuesday or do you want to stay and hammer it out today?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I do think we need to, because it's time-critical, Mr. Chair. I think it would be fine even if we added another hour on the Wheat Board day.

Mr. Anderson has made some allegations but has certainly not produced any evidence. Any organization can write letters, but the key on this one is that in her email, which obviously she never expected to become public, she says, “government, MPs, and others”. I have seen the press release that Minister Strahl put out last night. I take him at his word. But Mr. Strahl is not the total government. So this is the key area that's coming from government itself, that they enter into a propaganda campaign to look like it's coming from producers.

That's a serious issue, especially with a task force that's already tainted. I would say on October 19, if you want to add another hour, that's fine with us.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

We'll put that in the form of a motion.

Mr. Atamanenko, do you have a point on that?

[Alex Atamanenko, NDP, British Columbia Southern Interior, BC]

No. I just wanted to say that in light of what happened today, where we had two hours and we had one group for an hour and then two groups for less than an hour, evidently we do need more time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Mr. Thibault's point about making sure the other committee ahead of us is out of here on time would be very helpful. We were twenty minutes late getting started, and then we did have a fairly fulsome discussion on changes to the calendar. So when you add all that up, of course, we're constrained. But I take your point.

Mr. Bellavance.

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mister Chairman, I would simply like to remind everyone that the every sitting during this last session has been very useful. We accomplished a lot, and I don’t believe that we took much more time than that which was allowed. We are able to accomplish many things in the time that is allowed us.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Good point.

Mr. Steckle.

[Paul Steckle, Liberal, Huron—Bruce, ON]

I would propose a motion, because we do need a time. I would move that we do it on October 19 and if required add another hour.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Okay. The motion is acceptable. We'll call the question.

Is there any discussion on the motion? I will call the question. Those in favour of October 19 and an extension of the meeting if required, please do indicate. Those opposed?

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

The calendar will be adjusted accordingly.

Thank you, gentlemen.

This meeting stands adjourned.