Agriculture committee  Chair, I said I would take it under advisement. It's not a secret committee, but I said I would take it under advisement. It's still being considered.

Agriculture committee  Thanks, Chair. I'll start by asking two questions. First, Mr. Atamanenko says it would not need any new federal money. I'm just wondering what he's proposing, then, in terms of funding, and what his thoughts are, because right now I don't see how that can happen. I don't see how new BRM programs can be funded without there being any need for new federal money.

Agriculture committee  I thought I'd make a couple of comments, and then I'll turn it over to Mr. Shipley for a question. When I'm speaking with farmers, oftentimes I hear that they want a level playing field but they also want flexibility. I think of it in terms of the national programs providing the level playing field, and the regional programs, the provincial programs, providing the flexibility.

Agriculture committee  My idea was that we would hear from the witnesses at the end of the meeting.

Agriculture committee  Could you tell me whether Mr. Bellavance intends to table his motion now or tomorrow?

Agriculture committee  I heard you say you wanted to table your motion now. We already said we support it, André. You can put it forward. You can trust us. Watch.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The first comment I want to make is that programs have to be targeted. We would like to rehabilitate people who are in prison, but we also want them to be able to make full use of their talents in society. There are not many prisoners who move, after their period of incarceration, to work on farms.

Agriculture committee  Chair, I have a point of order. Just before the witnesses feel this might go on to 5:30 and might think they should leave, I want to make the offer that certainly we on this side of the table would like to hear from our witnesses. We are willing to stay an extra hour to listen to our witnesses at the end of this meeting.

Agriculture committee  Well, I'm making the offer, Chair.

Agriculture committee  All I'm trying to do, Chair, is move ahead efficaciously with committee business. We were blocked for an hour, but we're glad to stay and listen to witnesses if the concern is that the witnesses will not be heard.

Agriculture committee  No, that's your question.

Agriculture committee  The question is whether your ruling should be sustained.

Agriculture committee  No, the motion is that we continue with committee business.

Agriculture committee  Yes, I want to make a comment, Mr. Chair. I'm speaking quite honestly here. I'm not sure why the opposition is so nervous. It's unfortunate that it's coming down to this. They seem to feel there's some sort of plot at work here. There is not. It's just that we didn't appreciate being filibustered for an hour.

Agriculture committee  They spoke for an hour on a motion that they voted for.