Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 12, 2009
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 9:05 a.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Housakos, Mahovlich, Mercer, Milne, Mockler, Munson and Rivard (9).
In attendance: Frédéric Forge, Mathieu Frigon and Tyler Kustra, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C. moved:
That the Honourable Senator Mockler do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mockler assumed the chair.
The Honourable Senator Mercer moved:
That the Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C. be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C. moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair and one other member of the committee, to be designated after the usual consultation; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Milne moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eaton 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 member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104 (2).
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign analysts 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Rivard moved:
That, pursuant to section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee;
That, pursuant to section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the chair, the deputy chair, and the clerk of the committee; and
That, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mercer 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business'' for the purpose of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
consider any member of the committee to be on "official business'' if that member is:
attending an event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or
making a presentation related to the work of the committee; and
That the subcommittee report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the committee travelling on committee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Munson 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 chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eaton moved:
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's 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 adopted.
At 9:25 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).
At 10:00 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 12, 2009
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day in camera at 8:05 a.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Percy Mockler, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Mercer and Mockler (5).
In attendance: Frédéric Forge and Mathieu Frigon, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its agenda (future business).
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to stay in the room.
At 9:05 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 24, 2009
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day in camera at 5:00 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Percy Mockler, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Duffy, Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Housakos, Mahovlich, Mercer, Mockler and Rivard (8).
In attendance: Frédéric Forge and Mathieu Frigon, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered its agenda (future business).
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to stay in the room.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine and report on the current state and future of Canada's forest sector. In particular, the committee shall be authorized to:
a) Examine the causes and origins of the current forestry crisis;
b) Examine the federal role in the forest sector in Canada;
c) Develop a vision for the long-term positioning and competitiveness of the forest industry in Canada;
d) Recommend specific measures to be put forward by the federal government to lay the foundations of that vision; and
That the Committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 17, 2010.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine and report on the current state and future of agriculture and agri-food in Canada;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty- ninth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 17, 2010.
At 5:36 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 21, 2009
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 5:10 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Percy Mockler, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Housakos, Meighen, Mercer, Mockler, Munson, Poulin and Tkachuk (10).
In attendance: Mathieu Frigon, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, the committee began its consideration of the current state and future of Canada's forest sector.
WITNESS:
Natural Resources Canada:
Jim Farrell, Assistant Deputy Minister.
Mr. Farrell made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 6:40 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider its agenda (future business).
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to stay in the room.
At 6:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 23, 2009
(5)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8:04 a.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Percy Mockler, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cordy, Duffy, Eaton, Fairbairn, P.C., Housakos, Mercer, Mockler and Rivard (8).
In attendance: Mathieu Frigon, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, the committee continued its consideration of the current state and future of Canada's forest sector.
WITNESSES:
Forest Products Association of Canada:
Avrim Lazar, President and CEO.
Canadian Wood Council:
Bill Love, Chairman of the Board.
Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners:
Peter deMarsh, President;
Jean-Pierre Dansereau, Director General, Fédération des producteurs de bois du Québec.
MM. Lazar, Love and deMarsh each made opening statements and, together with Mr. Dansereau, answered questions.
At 10:02 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Josée Thérien
Clerk of the Committee