Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 29, 2002
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day in room 256-S, Centre Block, at 5:30 p.m., for the purpose of organization.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Chalifoux, Day, Fairbairn, Gustafson, Hubley, LaPierre, LeBreton, Oliver and Wiebe (9).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Lori Srivastava and Frédéric Forge.
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 LaPierre moved, — That The Honourable Senator Oliver be Chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, — it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Oliver assumed the Chair and made opening remarks.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, — That the Honourable Senator Wiebe be Deputy Chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, — it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Wiebe moved, —
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and Senator Chalifoux; and
That the Subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, — it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn moved, —
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, — it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved, — That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair 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 LaPierre moved, — That, pursuant to rule 104, the Chair 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 Fairbairn moved, —
That the Committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research officers to the committee;
That the Chair 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 Chair, 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 Hubley moved, — That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee; 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 Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, — it was agreed.
The Honourable Senator LeBreton moved, —
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure 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
The Honourable Senator Chalifoux moved, — 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 Hubley moved — That, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness 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 Chair 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 Fairbairn moved, —
That the Chair 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.
It was agreed, — That meetings be limited to two hours and that under exceptional circumstances, the meeting may be extended.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn moved, — That the committee proceed in camera pursuant to rule 92(2)(e).
The question being put on the motion, — it was agreed.
At 5:46 p.m., the committee proceeded in camera pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), to discuss its draft agenda.
A discussion of issues related to the mandate of the committee followed.
It was agreed —
That the committee adopt the following order of reference and that it be presented to the Senate.
That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine the impact of climate change on Canada's agriculture, forests and rural communities and the potential adaptation options focusing on primary production, practices, technologies, ecosystems and other related areas;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished by the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry during the First Session of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament be referred to the committee and;
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2003.
At 6:13 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 7, 2002
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day in room 705, Victoria Building, at 8:32 a.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Donald H. Oliver, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Fairbairn, P.C., Gustafson, Hubley, LaPierre, LeBreton, Oliver, Smith, P.C. and Tkachuk.(8)
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Lori Srivastava and Frédéric Forge; Keli Hogan from the Senate Committees and Private Legislation Directorate.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 31, 2002, the committee began to consider the impact of climate change on Canada's agriculture, forests and rural communities and the potential adaptation options focusing on primary production, practices, technologies, ecosystems and other related areas.
The Honourable Senator LaPierre moved, —
That the committee approve the budget in the following amounts, to examine the impact of climate change on Canada's agriculture, forests and rural communities and the potential adaptation options focusing on primary production, practices, technologies, ecosystems and other related areas.
Professional and Other Services $46,000.
Transportation and Communication 124,950.
Other Expenditures 2,900.
TOTAL $173,850.
It was agreed — That the committee proceed in camera, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e).
At 8:37 a.m., the committee proceeded in camera to rule 92(2)(e).
It was agreed — That the committee adopt the communication plan as amended.
The committee discussed its draft agenda.
It was agreed — That the committee hold, when possible, its meetings in room 705, Victoria Building.
At 9:14 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Clerk of the Committee