Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry

Issue No. 34 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of October 2, 2017

HALIFAX, Monday, October 2, 2017
(68)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 9:02 a.m., in Admirals Room South, Conference Level, Four Points by Sheraton Halifax, the deputy chair, the Honourable Terry M. Mercer, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Doyle, Gagné, Mercer, Ogilvie and Tardif (5).

In attendance: Aïcha Coulibaly, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Jade Lepage-Thériault, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 9, 2017, the committee continued its study on the potential impact of the effects of climate change on the agriculture, agri-food and forestry sectors. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 26.)

WITNESSES:

Government of Nova Scotia:

The Honourable Keith Colwell, MLA, Minister of Agriculture;

The Honourable Margaret Miller, MLA, Minister of Natural Resources;

Loretta Robichaud, Senior Director, Advisory Services, Agriculture and Food Operations Branch, Department of Agriculture;

Julie Towers, Deputy Minister, Department of Natural Resources;

Bruce Stewart, Manager, Forest Research and Planning, Department of Natural Resources;

Jason Hollett, Executive Director, Department of Environment.

Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq:

Angeline Gillis, Senior Director, Mi'kmaw Conservation Group;

Michael Benson, Climate Action Project Coordinator, Mi'kmaw Conservation Group.

Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture:

Chris van den Heuvel, President;

Henry Vissers, Executive Director.

Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick:

John Russell, Environmental Farm Plan Coordinator.

Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture:

David Mol, President;

Robert Godfrey, Executive Director.

PEI Woodlot Association:

John Rowe, President.

New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners:

Susannah Banks, Executive Director.

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners:

Stacie Carroll, Executive Director.

The deputy chair made a statement.

Ms. Miller and Mr. Colwell made statements and, together with Mr. Stewart, Ms. Towers, Mr. Hollett and Ms. Robichaud, answered questions.

At 10:35 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:47 a.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Gillis made a statement and, together with Mr. Benson, answered questions.

At 11:40 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:30 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. van den Heuvel, Mr. Russell and Mr. Mol made statements and, together with Mr. Vissers and Mr. Godfrey, answered questions.

At 2:43 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:55 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Banks, Ms. Carroll and Mr. Rowe made statements and answered questions.

At 4:13 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:19 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Honourable Senator Gagné moved:

That the Honourable Senator Tardif serve as acting chair in the absence of the chair and deputy chair at the meeting of the committee on Tuesday, October 3, 2017.

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

At 4:22 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Kevin Pittman

Clerk of the Committee