Agriculture Committee on March 13th, 2008

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

I've been very impressed with this committee since I've been on it. We put farmers first, and we take the concerns.... I know that other committees are experiencing some difficulties, probably originating over partisanship. I would implore the members of this committee: if there ever was a time to all get on the same page, it's today.

We have a candidate who meets every qualification. Three of the opposition members have lauded this gentleman, as we have. I think we would be doing a disservice to our committee, a disservice to the farmers, and a disservice to Mr. Hermanson if we did endorse that motion.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Easter.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

This is not partisan, Mr. Chair, as much as the government side wants to make it look that way.

I went on at length before about the importance of the independence of people in these kinds of positions. I gave you the examples: the Canadian nuclear regulatory authority, the Canadian Wheat Board, and so on.

As Alex says, Mr. Hermanson finds himself in a position of, really, circumstance. The government's record is terrible in--

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

On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Hermanson has not proven, in his days there, that he can't do the job. For the individuals Mr. Easter is talking about, there was a reason why. I'm not going to get into those. I think it's all gone public enough. There's a huge difference, and he knows it as well as I do.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

On a point of order, Mr. Easter.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

On the point of order, Mr. Chair--

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

It wasn't a point of order, but go ahead.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

The reason was that Adrian Meisner stood up to the minister on behalf of his board of directors, who were elected by producers, and the Prime Minister didn't like it, and he was fired.

Ms. Keen did her job for the same reason, and the Prime Minister didn't like her standing by the laws of the land, so she was fired.

In this case Mr. Hermanson in his remarks basically said, “The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service also clearly states that public servants must loyally implement ministerial decisions, lawfully taken.” Well, the article on Bill C-39 was not the law. The law is what I showed you earlier in that big binder, the Canadian Grain Commission Act. That's the law. This is a proposed law. There are lots of concerns. We're hearing from the agriculture union and concerns from producers over many areas in Bill C-39or the Canadian Grain Commission changes.

Mr. Hermanson said, and I quote in the article, “As chief commissioner of the CGC, I strongly support this legislation and reiterate this organization's commitment to providing producers with value.” Well, that is basically, in my view, the minister's voice. I don't want to hear the minister's voice. I want to hear independent opinion from the Canadian Grain Commission based on their mandate.

When we call the chief commissioner before this committee in his capacity when we're reviewing Bill C-39, I expect him to answer with a position of independence. Some of it will agree with the minister; some of it will disagree. But to make a blanket statement, “I strongly support this legislation”, very shortly after it came out, when there are so many concerns by producers out there, shows me there isn't the independence from the government that's necessary for this position.

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

And he should trash the bill even though he doesn't believe that.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

No, he shouldn't trash it or praise it. He should do an analysis of the bill from the Canadian Grain Commission's perspective and show independence from the government.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Atamanenko.

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

Can you call the question?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

We can't call the question. We don't entertain those type of dilatory motions during debate.

The floor is still open. Anybody?

Seeing no one, I'll now take the question on the amendment of Mr. Easter adding in after “the Canada Grain Commission”: “as he failed to respond to the concerns of the committee to demonstrate the necessary qualifications to fulfil the requirements expected of an appointee to the Canadian Grain Commission.”

The question is on the floor.

[An hon. member]

A recorded vote, please.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

This will be a recorded vote.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 6; nays 4)

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Now we are on to the main motion as amended:

That in the committee's judgment it disagrees with the appointment of Mr. Hermanson as Chief Commissioner of the Canada Grain Commission as he failed to respond to the concerns of the committee to demonstrate the necessary qualifications to fulfil the requirements expected of an appointee to the Canadian Grain Commission.

This will be a recorded vote. Is there any further debate before I call the question?

(Motion agreed to: yeas 6; nays 4)

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Is there any other business?

I will now entertain a motion to adjourn. Before we adjourn, for the information of the vice-chairs of the steering committee, we'll meet right after this right in this room.

Is there a motion to adjourn? Mr. Lauzon.

The meeting is adjourned