Agriculture Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2026

Evidence of meeting #21 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was industry.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Reference Prices in the Beef and Pork Supply Chains

Committee Business

Members speaking

Before the committee

Beretta General Manager, Beretta Farms

Vaags President and Chief Executive Officer, True North Foods

Moudi Chief Executive Officer, Viandes Lafrance

Boucher Director General, Sector Development and Analysis Directorate, Department of Agriculture and Agri‑Food

Allan Associate Vice-President, Policy and Programs Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

12:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Coteau

An additional supplemental was provided to everyone for the government regulatory reform initiative. It's gone above its estimated eight meetings, and we need to increase the supplementary amount requested.

Are folks okay with that?

12:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Coteau

Also, this Thursday, we need to have a subcommittee meeting. We have a lot of different items that we need to work out. I would suggest this Thursday.

In addition, we don't have witnesses. We have no other witnesses currently, so I'd like to suggest that we dedicate that meeting to the subcommittee so we can work some things out and set the direction for the next 22 meetings, roughly. Is that right? There are 11 more weeks. We have scheduled another 11 weeks at 22 meetings, I believe, and this would be a good opportunity for us to just explore the direction we need to go in.

Are we fine with that? That would mean that the vice-chairs and the chair sit down and we figure things out. This Thursday will be just that specific component of the meeting.

Are there any other items?

MP Chatel.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi, QC

I just want to make sure of something. Does that mean we completed that study for the analyst?

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Coteau

That's really up to us.

Do we feel that the study is complete? Okay.

February 3rd, 2026 / 12:55 p.m.

Liberal

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi, QC

I'd like the analysts, based on their own research, witness remarks and the documents submitted, to provide us with a breakdown of prices and the factors that affect them.

We've heard from several witnesses, and they talked to us about the factors to consider. It would be good for the analysts to keep that in mind. For example, for beef, they could mention the factors and their impacts. They could base it on witness remarks, data from Statistics Canada and data from the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development.

Could they give us that context? I know there's already some in the background material they prepared. Nevertheless, my only request is that that information be included in the report. I think that the witnesses were clear enough and that their remarks were quite thorough.

12:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Michael Coteau

All we're doing right now is that I just need an agreement for Thursday's meeting. For the drafting instructions, we'll schedule a meeting to do that specifically. There will be time to do that.

Mr. Bonk.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative