Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry

Issue No. 1 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of January 26, 2016

OTTAWA, Tuesday, January 26, 2016
(2)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met in camera this day at 5:56 p.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Senator Ghislain Maltais, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Dagenais, Maltais, McIntyre, Merchant, Moore, Oh, Plett, Tardif, Unger (10).

In attendance: Aïcha Coulibaly and Khamla Heminthavong, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

The committee, pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), considered a draft agenda.

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room.

It was agreed that the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 12-26(2).

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, at the earliest opportunity.

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 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.

At 6:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Kevin Pittman

Clerk of the committee