Evidence of meeting #41 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 bees.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
We don't have our witness, so let's go right into motions then, if that's okay.
Mr. Lauzon.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Thank you very much.
As you recall, Mr. Chair, I moved this motion.
First, I want to apologize to my Bloc colleagues for the French version of this motion. It was written in French at the last meeting. I hope that this version is a bit better and therefore more acceptable.
Mr. Chair, as you know, we did a pretty comprehensive study on input costs. We also know there is some discussion about the possibility of the introduction of a carbon tax. From what I gather from speaking with agricultural people both in eastern Canada and certainly in Ontario, and from speaking with some of my colleagues as well, I know the agricultural community has some concerns about what a proposed carbon tax would do to their input costs. In the last day or two, I've read that there might be some consideration given to exempting certain areas from the carbon tax.
I would like to move that the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food urge the Government of Canada to ensure that Canadian farmers are not saddled with a carbon tax that would further increase their input costs and hurt their competitiveness vis-à-vis their American competitors.
The reason I think this is so critical is that if this is in fact in the proposal stage, we could have a tremendous impact on the eventual final product. It's critical to the agricultural industry that we have our input into that process. Our producers and agriculture, as you know, have enough challenges as it is without extra input costs.
So I would strongly recommend that we approve this motion.
9:45 a.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
I have a couple of comments.
It's my understanding that this motion has come up at other committees too. I don't quite understand why it would, other than that it's probably a political statement.
I would like to suggest that since it's not the current administration that has...[Technical difficulty--Editor]...a carbon tax, this is an election issue that probably should be decided. When all the facts are before people and the platforms are known, I think it might be an election issue. I don't think at this point in time it's critical to vote on this; I think it's more of a political statement from this government.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.
Could you mention, Mr. Atamanenko...? I'm not aware that it has come up at other committees.
9:45 a.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
I was at the finance committee, and the motion had come up. I arrived late and I don't know whether it was discussed or passed.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
That's hearsay. You don't know that for a fact, do you?
9:45 a.m.
NDP
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
I'm pretty sure...the motion was there, but I'm not sure whether they had passed it or discussed it.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Clearly it is at other committees, Mr. Chair, and this is a strategy run directly out of the PMO to attract a dialogue in other parties. That's exactly what it is.
I have a couple of questions for Mr. Lauzon.
Is this a proposal for a carbon tax that is coming from the government, or could you be more specific about where it is coming from? I mean, you are the government.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
As I understand it, there's a possibility of a carbon tax being introduced tomorrow.
By the way, if you could clarify which committees.... To the best of my knowledge, no other committee has introduced anything. This is coming from agricultural people; it's not coming from other committees. Maybe you could tell me what committees.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Where is the proposal coming from tomorrow that is actually going to be specific in legislation and a program, and not just a dialogue among Canadians?
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
It's my understanding, and I think it's the understanding of the Canadian public, that the Liberal Party is, as soon as tomorrow, introducing a proposed carbon tax. My agricultural people and other people, as a matter of fact, in eastern Canada have told me that the proposed carbon tax would devastate agriculture, and I don't want to see that happen.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
Coming to Alex's point, really, if the Liberal Party proposes a green shift—let's call it that—that might include a carbon tax in it, it might also include other incentives. It might be counterbalanced with programs for carbon sinks, etc. If the Liberal Party comes out with a discussion paper in that regard...we're not the government. We're not the government and we're not implementing it.
Is the Prime Minister now, or the Conservative Party through this motion of yours, saying at this committee that debate among other political parties about ideas, big and small—crazy and wonderful, for that matter—should not be held? Is that what this motion is telling us? Are you trying to direct a political party, be it the Bloc Québécois, the Liberals, or the NDP, or someone else out there, not to have a dialogue about issues?
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
Mr. Easter, what we're trying to do here is protect the Canadian farmer, and we would really appreciate your cooperation in this. We can ask the Government of Canada to ensure that agriculture is sustainable in our country. That's what this motion is talking about. It has nothing to do with other committees; it has nothing to do with any party. It has to do with the protection of the Canadian producer, who produces our food in this country.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Wayne Easter Liberal Malpeque, PE
I have just one last question, Mr. Chair.
Is my understanding correct, then, that by the way this motion reads, if there were a counterbalancing policy on initiatives that would hold the line, so to speak—as you say vis-à-vis their America competitors—with whatever it might be on a litre of diesel fuel, and there were another program, whether it's an income tax cut or a research incentive, or whatever...? Am I led to believe that as long as this leaves us competitive vis-à-vis the United States, or in a better position, it would meet the conditions of this motion?
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
Guy Lauzon Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON
I think the motion is pretty clear. It says that this is “to ensure that Canadian farmers are not saddled with a carbon tax that would further increase their input costs”.
The agricultural people tell me that in everything they do, a carbon tax would affect anything getting to them, when they're producing it and also when they're delivering it to market. They are tremendously concerned, and I think we in this committee should be equally concerned.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Mr. Mayers is here. I have on the speaking list Mr. Boshcoff, Mr. Storseth, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Bellavance. I would ask that we suspend the debate for right now and allow our witness to come to the table. Then we'll be back at this.
Mr. St. Amand.
9:50 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd St. Amand Liberal Brant, ON
Again I want clarification, Mr. Chair, with respect to when we will start to deal with motions again.
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I would suggest that we come back at 10:30.
Is everyone in agreement?
June 17th, 2008 / 9:50 a.m.
Liberal
9:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I'll keep the speaking list, and we'll continue. You'll be leading off, Mr. Boshcoff.
Mr. Mayers.
Mr. Miller?
