Evidence of meeting #12 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was fertilizer.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Karen Proud  President and Chief Executive Officer, Fertilizer Canada
Clyde Graham  Executive Vice-President, Fertilizer Canada
Benoit Pharand  Chief Executive Officer, Réseau Végétal Québec
Cedric MacLeod  Executive Director, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association
Monica Hadarits  Executive Director, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
Andrea Stroeve-Sawa  Council Director, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
Paul Thoroughgood  National Manager of Agriculture and Sustainability, Ducks Unlimited Canada
James Brennan  Director, Government Affairs, Ducks Unlimited Canada

5:35 p.m.

Executive Director, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

Cedric MacLeod

I think it's hard to estimate (a) what the volume of those benefits would be and (b) what the value is, because we don't have a defined market mechanism to help us assign value to that—outside of carbon. We have seen the price on carbon. That is probably one of the easiest EG&S values to quantify. Although it's not easy, it's probably the easiest in the bunch.

I would suggest that what we can do in Canada is be better at collaborating. I think too often the research that's done is a little bit too vertical. It needs to be more horizontal. We need to learn to share datasets more effectively, because we are much more powerful together. Just having bits and pieces of the story sitting next to one another—that doesn't help us shape the market mechanism that we need to truly maximize the value of EG&S.

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Alistair MacGregor NDP Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC

Thank you very much.

5:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Kody Blois

Thank you, Mr. MacGregor.

On behalf of all the members of the committee, I'd like to thank you, witnesses, for your testimony. I can say that it was truly fascinating. We really appreciate your information and your guidance here today.

Colleagues, we're going to wrap it up there. Remember to get your recommendations vis-à-vis the supply chain to the analysts tonight, please.

I would add just one quick note. Not to nag you too much, but during the votes, because we have the ability to vote virtually, if you are so inclined, we would always welcome the fact that if you could vote from the committee room, that would mean that we could get moving quicker. I'll leave that to your discretion in the days ahead, if possible, to help us.

With that, enjoy your weekend and enjoy the rest of your week.

Thank you to all.