Evidence of meeting #15 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was canola.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Let's bring this meeting to order.
Before we get rolling, I have a point of order from Monsieur Bellavance.
9:05 a.m.
Bloc
André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Before beginning, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the committee members who took part in the emergency debate about the livestock crisis yesterday. I hope we are going to be able to make progress on that issue. I greatly appreciate the fact that a large majority of the members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food participated in the debate, which I hope was productive.
Mr. Chair, I know that the committee has passed a motion for there to be a meeting on Monday, February 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. I would like to know whether that meeting could be moved up so that it would be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. instead. The meeting would still last three hours. I would simply like to move the meeting up, if possible. I would like to have my colleagues' opinion on that.
I don't know whether we need a motion or we can decide to do that without any further formality.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
The one thing we have to check on is the availability of the room, to make sure that we have a room we can go to at 3:30.
What I'm seeing is nodding heads. Everybody would rather sit in the afternoon than in the evening. But I do think we'll need to have a motion on that.
Mr. Easter.
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Yes.
Maybe 3:30 to 6:30.... If it's difficult for André to have a later meeting, then we have no problem with doing it earlier.
We're meeting the next day, on the 26th, I believe. Does that clean up the witnesses?
9:05 a.m.
A voice
Yes.
9:05 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
And I don't think there are any other others. I'm wondering whether we could see our way, immediately following the witnesses, to going to clause-by-clause. There is a huge concern in the industry out there and a fear, with the election talk around this town—and I think it's a legitimate fear—that if there happens to be an election and this bill is not through, some of the investment that is on line might be lost for some of the smaller plants.
I wonder whether we could, as well, basically agree to hear the witnesses on the 26th, go immediately to clause-by-clause, and see whether we can clean it up.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Okay, and so we would extend hours until we got it done.
I have Mr. Miller first.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
Mr. Chairman, it sounds like a good suggestion.
I have another committee, but I will deal with that. I think this sounds good, and if you can go with it, I'll either have a substitute for myself or get somebody to fill in at the other one.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Carol Skelton Conservative Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK
I want to comment that it's the evening of the Canadian Young Farmers Forum banquet, which quite a few of us, I think, were attending.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Carol Skelton Conservative Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK
Okay.
Are you suggesting, Mr. Easter, that we finish off on Monday evening, then?
9:05 a.m.
Some hon. members
No.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
I would support both of those suggestions. I think that's good, and I echo Mr. Easter's comments that the industry certainly wants this as soon as possible.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Is everybody in agreement, then?
Can I get somebody to move that notwithstanding the motion adopted February 12, the committee meet at 3:30 to 6:30 on February 25, instead of from 6:00 to 9:00?
9:05 a.m.
An hon. member
I will move that.
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Also, we'll move immediately on the 25th, when we're done with our witnesses, to clause-by-clause, so that we can get this reported to the House.
9:05 a.m.
A voice
On the 25th?
9:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
On the 26th.
Is everybody in agreement? Okay.
Let's carry on with our hearings on Bill C-33.
We welcome to the table JoAnne Buth, from the Canola Council of Canada, and from the University of Lethbridge Dr. Kurt Klein. I'm glad to see you here.
The Canadian Cattlemen's Association contacted my office. They're running a bit late. When they get here, I believe Brad Wilderman will be presenting on their behalf.
We'll open up to opening comments. I'd ask that you keep your opening comments to less than ten minutes.
Ms. Buth, you may go first.