moved for leave to introduce Bill C-268, an act to amend the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Act.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to delete the section of the agriculture act which permits the governor in council to assign powers or duties to the minister of agriculture. These powers are currently used to create new agricultural programs.
The reports of the Auditor General of Canada tabled in the House in 1989 and in 1992 recommended that this power be deleted from the act. This bill carries out that purpose and will require the minister to come to the House if he seeks to establish a new agricultural program rather than create it on his own without the proper authority.
That is the purpose of the amendment to the act. It is a short and very simple act and I hope it will commend itself to all hon. members.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)