Agriculture Committee on Feb. 25th, 2008

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

We booked the room till then, just in case we needed it.

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

But I don't remember any consensus on that.

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

We gave it to the chair.

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

You weren't here, Larry, but I voted for you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Before we leave Bill C-33 for the day, we have a motion on expenses that we need somebody to move: that the budget of the committee in the amount of $35,700 for the study on Bill C-33 be adopted.

I need somebody to move that. Paul moves it.

Is there any debate?

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

With all good manners, when the witnesses came here, they didn't quite seem.... I don't know how the witnesses were chosen, but they didn't really seem to know what they were doing here.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Witnesses are called based upon the lists submitted by members. We've asked them to come forward to testify, and we cover their expenses in doing so.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

We also have a motion by Mr. Bellavance.

Do you want to read it into the record?

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

I will be brief, Mr. Chair. I believe everyone has a copy of the motion. I would just like to mention that there was recently an emergency debate on this issue. I am very proud to have raised it on the floor of the House. I am also pleased that the minister reacted quickly. I spoke with him on Friday, and today he came forward with a bill.

However, I would like to explain why I am still moving this motion. The committee unanimously recommended some long-term solutions, and I would like us to let the minister know that it is important to move forward with these unanimous recommendations.

I do not think the bill deals with the entire matter, and I know the government has a deadline for responding to us. Through you, Mr. Chair, I would like to keep this issue alive by telling the minister that we would like a response quickly. We would like to have longer-term solutions to the problems facing the livestock industry.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

We have Mr. Miller, and then Mr. Lauzon.

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

This is not so much for debate, but to note that in the English translation the last line just doesn't read right. It reads, “in order to contribute reduce the problems”.

[Ken Boshcoff, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

It works well in the French.

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

It works very well in French.

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

This is not my translation.

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

No, I know it is not. How should that read then?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

I have Mr. Lauzon first.

It probably means “in order to contribute to reducing the problems”. That is probably the correct translation.

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

What about adding “to”.

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

Just take the word “contribute” out of there.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

So it would read, “in order to reduce the problems”. Well, it says “contribute” in the French version.

Alex.

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

You just have to say, “ in order to contribute to reducing the problems”.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

“To reducing” is what I thought it meant as well. It's just a matter of cleaning up the English version.

I have Mr. Lauzon, Mr. Steckle, and Mr. Atamanenko.

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

I spoke with André before the meeting. You may not agree, but I would like to repeat that I think that this is what the minister decided today... Most of the recommendations are contained in the bill. If we pass a motion, it will run counter to what the bill is trying to do. I have looked at the recommendations, and I think that most of them are reflected quite well in the bill that has been tabled today.

I would like to suggest that the recommendations in the report have been addressed, by and large, and I just think we should consider that.... We're here to try to help the farmers, and I think this goes a long way toward helping the farmers. I think the minister has shown great faith and removed this from the budget, so that we can get it through.

Those are my comments, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Paul, you said yours was answered.

Mr. Atamanenko.

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

I agree with you to some extent, but I see this as a form of insurance. I think that is André's view as well. We agree on this. I have also spoken to the minister, and I am very pleased with what he has done. What we need is some assurance to check that everything we recommended is contained in the bill, and that is all we need. This does not run counter to the bill. We will be supporting it and voting for it. We just want to make sure that there are no points that we have failed to cover.

Those are my views. I don't know whether that was your intention, André.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Easter.