Agriculture Committee on Feb. 26th, 2009

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Again, I appreciate all the background information, Wayne, but the idea of the trip and the motion is for us to go and explore that document. I don't think we need to explore it in front of the motion.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

No, that's not a point of order, Mr. Chair, and the reason--

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Would you stick to debate on the motion, Mr. Easter?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I am, Mr. Chair.

The fact of the matter is that the minister provided information to the House, and it was only half the story. So if you go to page 4 of 6 in the auditor's report in the annual report, you'll find the audit shows that the Wheat Board did $1.8 billion better than the previous year.

Let's turn to the contingency fund, Mr. Chair, which this motion deals with specifically. I want to quote on the contingency fund. On page 19 of the notes to the financial statements, just to help you find them, it says the act provides for the establishment of a contingency fund. The contingency fund regulation provides that “the balance of the fund cannot exceed $60 million. Pursuant to the Act, the Fund balance can be negative; there is no limit specified.”

Now, Mr. Chair, I read that into the record because, as has been explained by the Wheat Board at their district meetings, the contingency fund is there for a purpose: in firm language, to work something like an operating capital or an operating fund. So it's transparent. It's in the audited financial statement. It's doing its function. And for the minister and his parliamentary secretary to go on a smear campaign.... I would hope the member for Prince Albert is not participating in that.

So Mr. Chair, before we consider this motion, I believe we need some answers from the parliamentary secretary and the minister.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Mr. Easter, you're getting into another issue. We have a motion on the table, and you're either speaking for or against it.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

I am speaking; I am speaking to the motion, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Well, stick to the motion. No, you're not.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Yes, I am.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I'll decide that.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

What we need to know is this. When was the minister apprised of these losses in the contingency fund?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Mr. Easter, you had a chance to ask the minister that. You're off topic. We're discussing the motion. You're asking something totally off the motion. That's my ruling on it, and my ruling is going to be final on it. If you want to speak to the motion, do so.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

Okay, Mr. Chair. Yes, I'm speaking to the motion, and these questions need to be asked, Mr. Chair, so I'll move it this way. I will table these questions with the committee, Mr. Chair, and I will move a motion to table this motion of Mr. Hoback's until such time as either the minister and his parliamentary secretary appear before this committee and answer these questions or answer them to us in writing, because we need some answers.

For the minister to say in the House that farmers asked him to do it.... Farmers never had the annual report until such time as the minister has tabled it. So there are a number of questions here, and I'll table them with you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I believe there is no debate on a motion to table.

Okay, a point of order.

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

As you have already discussed, on a motion to table there is no debate. Furthermore, you can't add an amendment to a dilatory motion--

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I was about to say that as well, Mr. Storseth. Thank you.

So we have a motion on the floor to table this motion. I'm going to call the vote.

A point of order.

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

There's already a motion on the floor, and the motion is Mr. Hoback's motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

It is, but a motion can be brought forth, Mr. Lemieux, to table that motion, and there is no debate on a motion to table another motion. That's the ruling.

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

Explain that again. I'm not able to follow that. There's a motion on the floor—

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

There's a motion on the floor. Then we had a motion to table that motion, and the rules are that there is no debate on that motion, and therefore I'm calling the question.

So I call the motion. All in favour of the motion?

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Who wins here? Farmers or you?

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Order, please.

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

Is that your motion?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

My motion, Mr. Chair—

[The Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

You cannot add the amendment part, and your motion will be to table it.

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Malpeque, PE]

But I want it understood that my motion is to table until we have some answers from the minister, for which I will give you the questions.