Evidence of meeting #71 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
You've heard the verdict.
The vote has been called, and the question has been asked on the motion put forward by Mr. Anderson.
(Motion negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
We will proceed to the orders of the day and will continue with the motion of Mr. Atamanenko.
Do you want to first of all introduce the motion again? We have to have that—
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
Ken Boshcoff Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
A week ago I was asked to withhold my resolution to support the Canadian cattlemen on transition funding. I did so in utmost good faith, assuming that it would be debated, discussed, and passed a week ago Tuesday evening, and it still hasn't been dealt with.
I ask the clerk where that item is and when we can expect do deal with it.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
Are you talking about the deferral of your motion, along with Mr....?
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
The agreement at that day was--and this is the motion--“That the Committee completes the study of Mr. Easter's and Mr. Atamanenko's motions before studying the Agricultural Policy Framework draft report and, after the draft report study on APF is completed, it will study the motions from M. Boshcoff and M. Bellavance.”
So we need to complete the work of the APF report before we continue on with motions.
Mr. Atamanenko.
3:35 p.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
I'm not sure how appropriate it is, but I do have--
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
It's appropriate for you to speak to this motion because that's what we're dealing with.
3:35 p.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Is it appropriate to talk about an amendment to my motion? Because I think what I say may satisfy David and we could get this moving really quickly.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
Basically, I would suggest that because it's your motion you can amend it, you can change it, you can do basically whatever you like. You'll have to meet with the approval of this body here before we move on, so if you want to introduce that and then have debate on the amendment, that is the way I would see it.
3:35 p.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Okay. So I will propose the amendment and I will say a few words on it.
3:40 p.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Okay. The proposed amendment is this:
That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food write a letter to the Honourable Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada, indicating the Agriculture Committee's unanimous support for an investigation into the government's conduct and spending by the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food throughout the recent Canadian Wheat Board barley marketing plebiscite.
The reason for making the amendment is that it takes away the reference to the National Farmers Union. I understand that Mr. Anderson is not opposed to having the Auditor General have an investigation, but is more concerned with having the committee setting historical precedent by officially supporting one interest group over another, and therefore fears that the independence of the committee would be called into question.
David also stated at the last meeting that “It could have been worded far differently, and probably would have been a far better motion, if Mr. Atamanenko wanted to call in the Auditor General herself.” I have taken Mr. Anderson's concerns and comments to heart and am prepared to propose this friendly amendment in the hope that it will satisfy all parties and bring about a consensus as to how to proceed.
So I'm prepared to propose that the motion be amended to remove the reference to the National Farmers Union, and I just read that out. I would of course then expect that in exchange for making this friendly amendment we could get unanimous support for the motion, and that the resulting letter to the Auditor General would be composed and distributed to the members of the committee for review prior to our next meeting on June 7, at which time the committee will come to an agreement on the final text of the letter prior to conducting any other business.
In other words, if the committee is in agreement, I'm prepared to make that amendment, and then if we could have that letter ready for our final approval before next meeting, we could move on with business today and also next time.
So that's basically what I have to say on that.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
For the benefit of all us, to understand clearly your amendment, I'll read what I think we have heard from you: “...the Honourable Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada, indicating the committee's unanimous support for the submission to the Honourable Sheila Fraser calling for an investigation...” and continuing on with the rest of the wording. Is that it?
3:40 p.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Do you want me to read that out for you again?
That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food write a letter to the Honourable Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada, indicating the Agriculture Committee's unanimous support for an investigation into the government's conduct and spending by the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food throughout the recent Canadian Wheat Board barley marketing plebiscite.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Paul Steckle
Is that pretty clear? Okay, there is a speakers list. We'll begin with Larry Miller.
3:40 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
No, I was going to speak actually to a point of order, Mr. Chairman, and then I heard a bit more information, so I don't need to.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
