Evidence of meeting #20 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 point.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake, MB
We're saying let's keep the list separate from the motion.
Conservative
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
I don't have a problem with the list being there, provided that we have this on the end of it. If not, then I won't support the list, because that—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerry Ritz
The general consensus is that the list doesn't have to be attached to the motion. Basically the motion directs the committee to hold three days of hearings on the Wheat Board, and then the list will be supplied to the clerk in the usual way.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Yes, Mr. Chair, but we are certainly emphasizing that these witnesses here be a part of that.
I would also suggest that we have Howard Migie as chair of the task force. This committee has not heard from Howard Migie. We can't find a schedule. We know he's not holding public meetings. Their recommendations are crucial, and he is an employee of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. I don't want any excuses from him on why he can't be here next week.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerry Ritz
Okay. All we can do is ask and then get back to you with whatever—
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
No, to be honest with you, Mr. Chair, that's not quite adequate. We have a task force. Farmers can't find out information on that task force. The task force that's been appointed is very slanted one way. Howard Migie is the chair. This committee needs answers, and for Howard Migie not to be available next week is unacceptable.
I would go as far as subpoenaing him, if that's what we have to do, because this guy is holding meetings. The future of the Canadian Wheat Board is at stake, and we want him here next week. If he's not here, then I suggest we subpoena him.
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerry Ritz
Give us a final wording, gentlemen, as to how you want this to go, exactly as it stands or—
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
The wording would be: “That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food undertake an emergency review on October 24, 25, 26 of the government's actions towards the Canadian Wheat Board.” And for those witnesses, the list does not need to be attached.
Pardon, James?
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake, MB
So your quote would finish off after “Canadian Wheat Board”? That would be the end of the motion.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
It would finish after “Canadian Wheat Board”. That way, you don't need the additional wording.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerry Ritz
The only problem I have with this right off the bat is that you're specifying October 24, 25, and 26 in the motion, but you're also saying that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is coming on November 2, and that's okay.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
We're not putting the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in that motion. I think it's okay.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
I think in the minister's case, he's scheduled elsewhere. I will not accept that Howard Migie will not be here next week.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerry Ritz
Okay. So your list of witnesses, which will be supplied to the clerk, will not include the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food because he's coming on November 2 anyway. So then it's not problematic to the motion.
Do we have unanimous consent to see the motion changed by putting the quotation mark at the end of “Board”, and then the witness list as a separate entity? Do we have a motion to that effect?
Okay, I see a lot of heads nodding, I'll need some names. Mr. Steckle moves, seconded by Alex Atamanenko.
We need unanimous consent in order to change it to that.
Conservative
Conservative
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
No, we have discussion on the motion. There was an amendment.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerry Ritz
This is done. Now you can amend it or whatever. That's what we're moving to now. The motion stands as you read it at the top of the page. We haven't voted on the motion yet. Now it's open to amendment.
Conservative
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
What I'm saying, Mr. Chair, is the motion has been changed from what was circulated to us, so I'd like to speak to what I now know is the final wording in the motion.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerry Ritz
Okay. The wording hasn't changed. The only thing that has changed is the quotation mark is moved right behind “Board”, instead of at the end of “the witness list”.
Conservative
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
Okay, I was taking it as if the list was included as a...whatever.
