Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry

Issue No. 16 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of October 4, 2016

OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 4, 2016
(29)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 5 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Terry Mercer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Dagenais, Mercer, Ogilvie, Plett, Pratte, Tkachuk and Unger (8).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Petitclerc (1).

In attendance: Aïcha Coulibaly, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference deemed referred by the Senate on Thursday, June 23, 2016, the committee began its study of the Government response to the Ninth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, entitled: The Importance of Bee Health to Sustainable Food Production in Canada, tabled and adopted in the Senate on May 27, 2015.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Honey Council:

Kevin Nixon, President.

Canadian Seed Trade Association:

Todd Hyra, Second Vice-President;

Dave Carey, Manager, Government Affairs and Policy.

CropLife Canada:

Dennis Prouse, Vice President, Government Affairs;

Pierre Petelle, Vice President (Chemistry).

Grain Farmers of Ontario:

Markus Haerle, Vice Chair.

The deputy chair made a statement.

Mr. Nixon made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:36 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:46 p.m., the committee resumed.

The deputy chair made a statement.

Mr. Hyra and Mr. Carey made statements and answered questions.

Mr. Prouse made a statement and, together with Mr. Petelle, answered questions.

Mr. Haerle made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:29 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:31 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(b), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that the deputy chair seek the authority of 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 acquisition of farmland in Canada and its potential impact on the farming sector, including:

(a) reasons behind the increasing value of Canadian farmland;

(b) concerns of agricultural stakeholders and the challenges they face in acquiring farmland;

(c) possible solutions to resolve issues resulting from the acquisition of farmland; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 30, 2017, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

The committee discussed future business.

At 6:44 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the deputy chair.

ATTEST:

Barbara Reynolds

Acting Clerk of the Committee