Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and
Forestry
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 23, 1997
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day in Room 705, Victoria Building, at 9:30 a.m., for the purpose of rganization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bryden, Callbeck, Gustafson, Robichaud, Rossiter, Sparrow, Spivak, Stratton, Taylor, Whelan, P.C. (10).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: June Dewetering and Jean-Denis Fréchette.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk presided over the election of the Chairman.
The Honourable Senator Whelan moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Gustafson be Chairman of the committee.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Gustafson assumed the Chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Bryden moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Whelan be Deputy Chairman of the committee.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Rossiter moved, -- That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and one other member of the committee to be designated after the usual consultation; That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings; and That the subcommittee report its decisions to the committee.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Callbeck moved, -- That the committee print 470 copies of its Proceedings and that the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Robichaud moved, -- That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chairman be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a representative of each party is present.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Taylor moved, -- That, pursuant to rule 104, the Chairman be authorized to report expenses incurred by the committee during the last session.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved, -- That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee; That the Chairman be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it; That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and That the Chairman, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Bryden moved, -- That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred on the Chairman or in the Chairman's absence, the Deputy Chairman; and That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred on the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, and the Clerk of the committee, individually.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Rossiter moved, -- That the committee empower the Chairman to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Robichaud moved, -- That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for no more than one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Taylor moved, -- That the Chairman be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Taylor moved, -- That the committee meet on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved, -- That the Library of Parliament provide background note on current state of soil research and food inspection in North America.
The question being put on motion, -- it was agreed.
At 10:26 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 20, 1997
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day in Room 705, Victoria Building, at 9:00 a.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Leonard J. Gustafson, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bryden, Callbeck, Rossiter, Sparrow, Spivak and Whelan, P.C. (6).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: June Dewetering.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to its order of reference to study the present state and future of agriculture in Canada and to study the present state and future of forestry in Canada.
The committee approved a budget in the amount of $36,955.00 for its study of the present state and future of agriculture.
The committee approved a budget in the amount of $11,147.00 for its study of the present state and future of forestry.
Discussion followed our future business of the committee. Staff were directed to pursue meetings on trade irritants with the United States and the potentials' effect the President's fast track initiative on NAFTA may have; and the effect of climate change on agriculture and how safety nets might be effected.
At 10:13 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 4, 1997
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met at 9:06 a.m., this day, in Room 705, Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Leonard J. Gustafson, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bonnell, Bryden, Hays, Rossiter, Spivak, Stratton and Whelan, P.C. (7).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Kenny.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: June Dewetering and Jean-Denis Fréchette, Research Officers.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to its order of reference to study the present state and future of agriculture in Canada, consideration of trade issues with the United Sates.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:
Mike Gifford, Director General, International Trade Policy Directorate, Market and Industry Services Branch; and
Terry Norman, Director, Western Hemisphere Trade Policy Division, International Trade Policy Directorate, Market and Industry Services Branch.
Mike Gifford made a brief statement and, with Terry Norman, answered questions.
At 10:45 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee