Evidence of meeting #15 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was local.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Does everyone agree? The support team must also agree, as we will need them.
June 5th, 2020 / 4:20 p.m.
The Clerk
Mr. Chair, may I speak?
4:20 p.m.
The Clerk
Unfortunately, given the current context, and since the schedule is set by the whips, I am not sure the committee can extend its regular Wednesday meeting by 30 minutes or one hour.
However, I don't know whether you noticed, but the time slots adopted by the whips now include spots reserved for committees that decide to meet in camera, for instance. We could decide to hold an additional meeting in one of those time slots. There is a time slot available on Tuesday, June 9, from noon to 1 p.m., and another one on June 10, from 11 a.m. to noon. That is a suggestion.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
We just checked with our whip, and apparently we could extend by 30 minutes if we can get the support team. Our whip has just informed us, and I assume they've been communicating with the other whips, so we'll plan for that. If there's an issue, we'll find another way. Again, it's just a matter of giving enough time to the analysts to be able to submit that letter when it's going to be pertinent.
Mr. Blois.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
I'll be very quick. I think we've all had a long day here.
I simply support what Mr. Barlow said. I would suggest that there be a meeting of just the vice-chairs, almost an informal subcommittee, to discuss this, give some direction and move that forward.
To the analysts, I would just make sure that we include some of the things we've heard on the local benefits in terms of how there's been a big push for local, and that it's been a very mixed bag depending on commodity. Those are things we can talk about offline with the vice-chairs.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Just to make sure, Mr. Blois, we would have to take that information and have a vote on it to make it official at Wednesday's meeting, but it would probably save some time. That's a thought.
Mr. Perron, we are listening.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
We can also hold a subcommittee meeting with the vice-chairs, so as to eliminate the interpretation issue, and we could use the available additional time slots if the extra half an hour is not authorized. That could be a solution. In an informal meeting, we try to provide simultaneous interpretation. That complicates matters. I am sorry to complicate your life, but some things are essential, and this is one of them.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
We will try to extend the meeting by a maximum of 30 minutes. We can do it faster if we want to. As you say, Mr. Perron, we have to consider the issue of interpretation services, and we have to bring it back to the committee for approval. So I think we will choose a 30-minutes extension. If there are any issues, we will let you know, but I will communicate with the whips and everyone to make this work. If you agree, this is how we will proceed.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Do you plan to simply add a 30-minute period? Or would we rather cut by 30 minutes the period reserved for the last testimony from officials and save an hour that way? What will be the formula used?
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
I was thinking that we could add time right away, unless the committee would like to shorten the time set aside for the testimony of officials accompanying the minister. That is a committee decision, and if there is consensus, we could do it that way.
Do you prefer to add 30 minutes or cut short the time given to officials?
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Perron Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Chair, I proposed both, but we could simply add 30 minutes. That works for me.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Okay. We will add 30 minutes in that case.
We'll let you know if there is any change.
I really appreciate everybody staying longer, especially the team that supports this committee. I apologize. It's Friday. I really thank you and wish all of you a really fantastic weekend.
Goodbye everyone. We will see each other on Wednesday.
The meeting is adjourned.