Agriculture Committee on Feb. 12th, 2008

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

Frankly, like Mr. Bellavance, I don't want to have to meet Monday nights either--I have four days of committees--but you have to remember that the government didn't all of a sudden, today, decide that we wanted to rush this through.

Mr. Boshcoff made an accusation. I suppose it was on behalf of the opposition. That's where this started, and we're basically saying that if you're going to accuse us of that, then.... We have no intentions of dragging this out.

Unfortunately, I'm going to support the meeting. I have lots of things I could be doing too, but in the sense of keeping the ball rolling, we're going to have to do this. The only thing I don't like about this is that it makes it sound as though we're going to do this every Monday, which implies that we're going to drag this out for weeks. That part bothers me, because it could be dealt with--

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Bellavance is next. Remember, another committee wants to meet in here, and we're holding them up.

Go ahead, Monsieur Bellavance.

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

What's going on in the Senate and all of the bickering regarding the delays or whatever... We are not doing anything out of the ordinary. We are examining a bill as we normally do and we need to do this seriously. I told you that this had an impact on two departments and that we had received requests regarding testimony.

Had I wanted to filibuster or prolong the work of the committee needlessly, I would not have suggested 10 or so witnesses, I would have suggested 30. I want us to follow committee procedure. I cannot be here Monday. Mr. Storseth's argument that perhaps no one will be here to ask questions is not relevant. I am my party's agricultural critic. I want to be present to hear what is going on in this committee and I want us to complete our study on the bill. That is the normal procedure, without exception.

I do not see any urgency requiring us to start multiplying the number of meetings. Let's proceed normally. Our witness list is not unduly long. Let's hear from them and then we will be able to proceed with the adoption of a bill, just as we do for the others.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Go ahead, Monsieur Lauzon.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Could we all put a little water in our wine and maybe just put the farmers first? We've heard from the farmers in no uncertain terms.

Farmers want this bill. If we could hear witnesses a little bit more quickly than we normally do, that would help the farmers.

It's going to show good faith on our part, too.

I think we have to work together. I don't think there is anybody around the table who isn't here for the farmer. Let's make it work for the farmer. I think that's what Ms. Skelton and everybody is trying to do. We all want to do the same thing, so let's maybe put a little water in our wine.

Holding a special meeting or something of that nature to begin with may help us get through this a little bit more quickly, and the farmers would be more satisfied with the results.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Merci.

Go ahead, Mr. Steckle.

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

So that we can expedite this meeting and get it over with, Carol has a motion on the floor. It needs to be dealt with first. We'll deal with her motion. If that's defeated, there's another choice that's been given, and you'll probably find support around the table to support you to move forward on a motion to hold a meeting for three hours on Monday night, February 25. I think you'll find that forthcoming, so let's deal with the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Essentially, the motion we have on the record is that the committee hold a meeting February 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in order to hear the other witnesses on Bill C-33. I think your suggestion is the same thing we have on the floor right now.

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

I think every Monday night was said. I apologize.

[Carol Skelton, Conservative, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

It will be until we get the bill through.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Is it Monday night or is it every Monday night?

[Carol Skelton, Conservative, Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK]

It's every Monday night until we get the bill through.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Then if that's what the motion--

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Let's call the question. It will be a recorded vote.

(Motion negatived: nays 5; yeas 4)

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

The motion is defeated.

Do you want to make another motion?

Go ahead, Mr. Steckle.

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

I would put on the floor a motion that we meet on February 25 for three hours in the evening and see how far we get with it. It would be from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Is there any discussion on this motion?

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

How can we entertain two motions that are basically similar motions?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

This is different. This has a specific date.

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

It's just like Afghanistan.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

There will be a recorded vote. Is there any debate on this motion before I call the question?

(Motion agreed to: yeas 9; nays 0)

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

I will just give you a reminder that the Young Farmers Forum is in town next week when we get back from break. We're going to have lunch with them on February 26. Do you want food served at the meeting on February 25?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

The meeting is adjourned.