Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and
Forestry
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 18, 1999
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day in room 705, Victoria Building, at 9:07 a.m., for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Fairbairn, P.C., Ferretti Barth, Gustafson, Oliver, Spivak, St. Germain, P.C. and Stratton (7).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: June Dewetering.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the Clerk presided over the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn moved, -- That The Honourable Senator Gustafson be Chairman of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Gustafson assumed the Chairman and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved, -- That the Honourable Senator Fairbairn be Deputy Chairman of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Stratton 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 the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Spivak moved, -- That the committee print 160 copies of its Proceedings and that the Chairman be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Spivak 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 the government and a representative from the opposition are present.
The question being put on the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator St. Germain 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 the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Stratton 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 the motion, -- it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Spivak 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 individually on the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator St. Germain moved, -- That the committee empower the Steering Committee 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; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
2) consider any member of the committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved -- That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witnesses expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chairman be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator St. Germain 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 the motion, it was agreed.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
At 9:41 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 9, 1999
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 9:05 a.m. in room 705, Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Leonard J. Gustafson, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chalifoux, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Fitzpatrick, Gill, Gustafson, Robichaud, P.C., Rossiter, Sparrow and St. Germain, P.C. (10).
Other senator in attendance: The Honourable Senator Spivak.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: June Dewetering, Research Officer.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From Alberta Soft Wheat Producers Commission:
Mr. Peter Pepneck, President;
Mr. Everett Tanis, Treasurer;
Mr. Lynn Jacobson, Marketing Chair;
Mr. Andrew Kovacs, Executive Director.
Pursuant to its order of reference to study the present state and the future of agriculture in Canada.
Mr. Peter Pepneck made a presentation and, with Mr. Everett Tanis, Mr. Lynn Jacobson and Mr. Andrew Kovacs, answered questions.
At 10:35 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Blair Armitage
Clerk of the Committee