Agriculture Committee on June 6th, 2006

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I don't agree with the position to table, Mr. Chair. I think this is a recommendation to the government. The government will see fit to act on it, either quickly or not. But all along, it seems to be the case with primary producers that the pressure is always on them to make compromises and make changes. I understand and recognize that processors will not be pleased with this motion because it makes them a little bit non-competitive. Well, currently farmers are non-competitive as a result of this and are losing money.

It puts the pressure on the agrifood side, and maybe then they will be a little more compromising in terms of trying to deal with what is the farm problem. The agrifood sector has been doing well. So I think this motion puts the pressure where it should be, which is on the agrifood side, which needs to start to deal with this question rather than all the costs being borne by producers.

Therefore, I oppose tabling and I support the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Thank you, Mr. Easter.

Mr. Atamanenko.

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

I support the motion as it stands. I think it underscores the important of this and it's a statement that we as a committee can make and ensure the process will go through. I understand that. I don't think the timing will hurt what's happening right now.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Are you ready for the question on tabling the motion? Those in favour of tabling this motion, please raise your hands. Those opposed?

(Motion negatived)

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

We're now back to the main motion as it stands.

Mr. Bellavance, are there any amendments or changes to this?

Does anyone want to speak to it? Mr. Anderson.

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

As James did with his motion, I'd like to make the same point, that we think the timing on this is poor. A working group needs to be encouraged to take their discussion seriously and try to come to some resolution of this. We've heard article 28 is likely a very poor solution to this problem, and WTO negotiations continue, so we support the intent of it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Thank you, Mr. Anderson.

The question is on the motion as tabled by Mr. Bellavance.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Now, down to the housekeeping of this, André. Did you have in mind that we will be doing a report on the MPCs? Did you want this tabled as part of the recommendations when we table that report? We've had our hearings now.

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

No, Mr. Chairman. I want this to be our report, and I want it to be tabled in the House in its current form as quickly as possible. With respect to the timetable, I imagine the clerk can tell us exactly how the process works.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Sure. We'll have it done up in the proper format, in both official languages, then get it into the House as quickly as possible.

Mr. Easter.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I have a point of order. I agree that this could be tabled as a separate report, but I think we still have to do a report on the hearing that we held as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

I agree. Is everyone okay with that? We're good to go.

All right. We'll work it out, André, thank you.

This meeting stands adjourned.