Agriculture Committee on April 23rd, 2009

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

We're on discussion on the amendment.

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

It's very kind of Mr. Lemieux to interpret my comments. I want suspenders and a belt. My motion takes into account what the Saint-Amable potato producers have asked for. The motion will obviously make it possible for us to put pressure on the government for this specific issue.

When we discuss the report, we will hear people from Alberta who have also experienced the same tragedy, and we will put their comments in the report. I will discuss the possibility of including in the report the parts of my motion that have or have not been selected; that's democracy. I believe I will have to obtain enough support to have my motion passed. I am putting more pressure on the government, and, like a good Quebecker, that's my belt and suspenders. I am ensuring that I'm in a position to put forward the demands of farmers.

Mr. Lemieux can interpret my motion in any way he wishes. I think I have been very clear. I am ready to vote, and I'm asking for a recorded division.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Mr. Lemieux.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Through you, Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Bellavance a question. Is the purpose of his motion to ensure that the committee tables the three recommendations listed in the House, before the report itself is tabled? I am receiving two completely different messages. The motion states that, if it passes, the committee is required to report the recommendations in it to the House. Yet Mr. Bellavance talks about including suggestions in the report. He would wish to be direct and clear, but his explanations are not.

Through you, Mr. Chairman, could Mr. Bellavance perhaps clarify what he would like his motion to achieve in committee, in the House, and in our report?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I think, Mr. Lemieux, that the motion speaks to that.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Mr. Bellavance is saying something completely different. He says that the suggestions can be included in the report. Yet that is not what his motion says. That is why I have moved an amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I'm going to let Mr. Bellavance respond to that, and then we're going to vote on the amendment.

Mr. Easter first, and then Mr. Bellavance.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

On Mr. Lemieux's point, Mr. Chair, I do think what Mr. Bellavance said is clear, that we can vote on this motion today and push the government, because we are, as I said earlier, into May. These people in this area who are in financial distress are trying to figure out what they are going to do. They are already restricted from potato crops. They have to make some decisions. I think if we can push the government a little bit to start to respond to at least one of the farm crises in the country, then it would be helpful.

If we pass this motion it doesn't deny the committee or Mr. Bellavance the right to propose to put exactly the same qualifiers, or more or less, in a report. It doesn't take away the right to put this in the report.

If Mr. Bellavance is saying vote on it, then we're willing to support it to try to push the government at least half a step forward.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Mr. Bellavance, do you have a final comment on the amendment?

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

I am ready to vote on the amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I'm going to call the vote.

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Could you just read the amendment again?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Isabelle Duford]

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee has studied the issue of the golden nematode, which is affecting the region of St-Amable in Quebec. That the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food consider including the following recommendation in its report to the House of Commons

And then there are the three—

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

The rest of the motion is the same.

(Amendment negatived)

I will now call the vote on the main motion. Mr. Bellavance asked for a recorded vote.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Is there debate on the motion itself?

[Pierre Lemieux, Conservative, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

But I'm not done, because we can move another—

[France Bonsant, Bloc, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

That's not a problem. Have you called the question?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

We can have debate on it.

Mr. Hoback.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I'm just looking for some clarification on how you came up with the 80% estimated cost. Why did you use 80%, and not the normal 60-40 that is the province's federal cost share? Why would you change that formula?

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

No, that's not it. Are we still debating this? It's clear enough: we are asking for the federal government to negotiate with the Government of Quebec. Farmers are ready to put in 20%; that leaves 80%. Sixty per cent of those 80% could come from the federal government, and 40% of those 80% could come from Quebec.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

We'll call the vote on the motion.

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

I am asking for a recorded division.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

A recorded vote, all right.

Colleagues, we have a tied vote. I vote against the motion.

(Motion negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

We'll call our witnesses to the table, please.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I just want to make it clear that we can deal with mine next time, Mr. Chair—