Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry has the honour to present its

THIRD REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate on Thursday, January 28, 2016, to study on international market access priorities for the Canadian agricultural and agri-food sector, respectfully requests funds for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, and requests, for the purpose of such study, that it be empowered:

(a) to engage the services of such counsel, technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary;

(b) to adjourn from place to place within Canada;

(c) to travel inside Canada, and;

(d) travel outside Canada.

Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(1)(c) of the Senate Administrative Rules, the budget submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that committee are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

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STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

International market access priorities for the Canadian agricultural and agri-food sector

APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2017

Extract from the Journals of the Senate of Thursday January 28, 2016:

The Honourable Senator Maltais moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tannas:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine and report on international market access priorities for the Canadian agricultural and agri-food sector. The study will focus on:

(a) the expectations and concerns of stakeholders from the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector;

(b) sustainable improvements to the production capabilities of the supply chain;

(c) diversity, food security and traceability; and

(d)  the competitiveness and profitability of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector (including producers and processors).

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2017, and that the committee retain until June 30, 2017, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

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SUMMARY OF BUDGET

The above budget was approved by the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry on Thursday March 10, 2016.

The undersigned or an alternate will be in attendance on the date that this budget is considered.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

GENERAL ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE SPECIAL STUDY

Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(2) of the Senate Administrative Rules.

Expenses for fiscal year 2015-2016 — $84,137

Expenses for fiscal year 2016-2017— $401,336

Estimate of the total cost of the special study — $485,473

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APPENDIX (B) TO THE REPORT

Thursday, March 24, 2016

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has examined the budget presented to it by the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry for the proposed expenditures of the said committee for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, for the purpose of its special study on international market access priorities for the Canadian agricultural and agri-food sector, as authorized by the Senate on Thursday, January 28, 2016. The approved budget is as follows:

(includes funds for public hearings and fact-finding missions; includes funds for 12 senators to travel; decision on Activity 2 deferred)

The budgets approved by the Senate for each travel activity are the maximum amount that can be spent for that activity;

Budgets normally include funds for the full membership of the committee to travel;

In general, a reduced delegation actually travels and efforts are made to find additional savings;

Therefore, actual expenditures are expected to be considerably below the approved budget, and they will be reported to the Senate;

Any surplus funds remaining at the conclusion of a travel activity will be clawed-back and can be made available for allocation to committees for other activities.

Respectfully submitted,