Agriculture Committee on Feb. 25th, 2020

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Mr. Blois.

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

I just want to make sure—and, John, correct me if I'm wrong—that we have the words, if you're willing, “Therefore, the committee shall study ways in which the Government of Canada can partner, support and/or invest directly on farms to help farmers and producers reduce energy costs and adopt new technologies”.

Can we just have the words “partner, support and/or invest directly on farms”. I think “invest directly on farms” is important. I thought we had agreed—

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

If the government is willing to commit to investing directly in farms....

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

It's to study, “study the ways”.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

You should support that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

He'll check with the Minister of Finance after this meeting.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

The parliamentary secretary is having a nervous breakdown, but sure, I'm totally fine with that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Does it have to be an amendment, or can it still come from his original motion?

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

I am fine with that friendly amendment from Kody.

Kody, what do we have just before “report”? Can you read your amendment to me again?

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

I'll just read the first part. It would be “pursuant to Standing Order 108(2)....recognizing that in order for the Government of Canada to meet its Paris Climate Accord, investments in rural communities, particularly the agricultural sector, will be key”—I think that was fine.

Then, John, your part comes in. Where you had a period, we have added, “Therefore the committee shall study ways in which the Government of Canada can partner, support and/or invest directly on farms to help farmers and producers reduce energy costs and adopt new technologies to reduce GHG emissions.”

That's what I have. If you're not okay with “GHG emissions”, that's okay.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

No, it's in there. I'll rewrite it nicely and give it to you after, if that's okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

You have all heard the motion. We will write it up.

Mr. Perron, would you like to ask a question?

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Yes. As I understand it, you have removed the following part:

that the study include an assessment of current agricultural practices and innovation already in place to improve conservation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve management of the carbon cycle;

Things are happening fast. I am sorry to slow you down, but I'd like to know if that has been removed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

We have effectively removed that.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Do we really want to remove that?

I, for one, think it would be worthwhile.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

No, we will keep that in.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

All right.

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

It's in.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

It's in. Okay.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

That's my fault.

It's still in.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

It is kept in the motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Yes.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

I don't know if this is the right time, but I would like to propose an amendment to that.

After “greenhouse gas emissions and improve the management of the carbon cycle”, I propose that we add “as well as other industry efforts to reduce environmental impact, such as reducing the use of plastics and alternative growing methods”.

I think it would be interesting to hear from the industry about the efforts they are making right now. That could guide us in terms of investment, and where we should be going in this regard.