Agriculture Committee on March 21st, 2016

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

I know that outside of Canada it's a different ministry. I think if we can do it well internally, then we can do it well externally, so it is both.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I think it's fair to say that what took place over the years in this country with agriculture and agrifood has been science based on whatever we do, whether it's low level...whatever it might be. In this country, and particularly outside of this country, when you have the science base.... We have people if there's a problem, and it isn't always easy to resolve. There are problems within the country and with other countries we have deals with. When you have the science base....

Many countries are attempting to adapt to our science base. You have no problem going to any country and defending the product if you have the science base behind it. It's the same in this country. I think Canadians do and should feel that any food they consume is a safe food to eat. That's vitally important.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Minister, the science I'm referring to is not so much about food safety, although as you said that's the first and most critical step—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

You remind me, Lloyd, that I wasn't sure where you were going. I shouldn't say this either, but it's from the gate to the plate. Being a farmer most of my life, there was no problem at the plate, but there always was a bit of a problem at the gate. Now I'm the minister, so I'm supposed to fix that. It's important that the men and women who do the work in the agricultural sector receive proper remuneration. Am I in the area? I'm not sure.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Yes.

I'm thinking of using science to be more competitive, to grow more crops, to have less inputs—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

For sure, but no matter what product you're talking about, whether it's grains, or tomatoes, or whatever it is, if you're in.... The biggest deal in this country is to produce the product in the most efficient and environmental way possible, and to make sure the fertilizers are used properly.

I had the scientists explain to me about the new microscopes they were putting in the labs. I'm not a scientist, and I didn't understand too much, but it's amazing what they can do in that area. They know what certain plants will consume, what you should put on them, and the amount of water you should use.

With all of that, Lloyd, you're making sure there are fewer dollars being spent by the person who's producing the product, and it's probably a product every bit as good if not better. Many times I have referred to the grain crop, and the trouble the government had in 2014 over moving that crop, although there were some other issues as well. We have a great scientific community, and the production was big. It will continue to get bigger and bigger, and that's what we must do.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

For the record I want to compliment you and your staff on the meetings last week, where you did bring science to the table. You brought together the provincial organizations, the farmers, and the processors. We even had some civil groups there, who were making sure that what was being done was socially acceptable.

Congratulations. I think if that's a sign of what your ministry is going to be doing, then I'm looking forward to working with you.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Lloyd, it has to be. When you're dealing with.... I meet with different countries like China and others all around the world, particularly in the Asian area. We're going to be able to provide great quality food and a great market to ship it to, and that's what we're doing.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Thank you, sir.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

That's simply not complicated. It's complicated, but if you know what you're doing...and it's amazing what the scientists can do.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you, Minister, and thank you, Mr. Longfield.

I think Mr. Warkentin is going to take Mr. Arnold's time. You have roughly five minutes.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

I was having such a good conversation with the minister that I didn't want to pass on the opportunity to continue the conversation.

[A voice]

[Inaudible]

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Absolutely. Around these places it eventually comes back to us.

Minister, I did want to chat with you a bit in regard to your staff. You have a chief of staff about whom questions were asked when she was first appointed. As a matter of fact there were experts who described it as a grotesque and flagrant conflict of interest. Your chief of staff has a significant relationship with one of the largest egg producers in the country.

Can you update us on the provisions and guidance the Ethics Commissioner has provided your office regarding how your chief of staff should conduct her engagement with you and stakeholders on issues that she may be in conflict with?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Thank you.

I would expect that you would never want to have somebody working in the department who does nothing. I don't believe you would want somebody working for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food not being able to work there because they might have some involvement in agriculture.

I know you don't mean that; I know for sure you don't mean that.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

Minister, I do. I do believe that if somebody is found in a conflict of interest, it's better—

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I might be too.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

If that's the case, then I think that's something the Canadian people deserve to know.

Minister, can you provide what you have undertaken to ensure that your chief of staff is not found in a conflict of interest?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Well, as you're—

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

I should just state, so that you don't have to repeat what you said, that if in fact she has to do nothing to recuse herself...to ensure that she is recused from any place that she could be found in conflict of interest, I would hope she would do nothing, and I'd hope that you, as a minister, would find somebody who could do the job if she wasn't able to.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Thank you. I know this has been of an interest to you since she came.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

It's been of an interest to Canadians.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

To some people, yes; some people.

She's subject to the Conflict of Interest Act the day she starts working for me. As you know, of course, in terms of the Ethics Commissioner, anything she provides will be complied with fully. There's a screening process—

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, AB]

So the Ethics Commissioner has not set up a screening yet?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

—put in place by the department. I'll let my deputy indicate on that, being as they put it in place.

We want to be sure that everything is done right. Actually, my job is to work and make sure that agriculture and agrifood and the farmers and ranchers in this country get the best representation possible from the government. I also want to make sure that all of this is handled carefully.