Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry
Issue No. 68 - Evidence - Meeting of June 13, 2019
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 13, 2019
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 9:02 a.m. to study how the value-added food sector can be more competitive in global markets (consideration of a draft budget).
Senator Diane F. Griffin (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: Honourable senators, we have one item of business for today, and that is adopting a draft budget to allow us to have a press conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, to coincide with the release of our value-added report.
You all have a copy of the draft budget. Are there any questions?
By the way, this is for the press conference itself. It’s to cover three senators to travel on behalf of the committee and two staff members. If other senators want to come to the press conference, because it is Senate business, you can use travel points. Everybody is welcome, is what I’m saying, and I hope we do get a good turnout for the media conference.
We are working with Senate Communications on an outreach program, but that’s not in this budget. The outreach program would be something different. It would be more of a seminar or a short symposium where we would actually discuss the value-added report with people who are invited from the local area, from the media, as well as further experts. That has not been firmed up yet. I’m assuming it would be on the same day, but we’ll have the discussion as to whether or not that will actually occur and, if it will, when and how and who.
Senator R. Black: The discussion will take place after this?
The Chair: Let’s do the budget first. I’m just putting it in context because some of us have had discussions about making better use of our time while we are there, in addition to eating lobster. I’m taking for granted that you are all going to do that.
Senator Doyle: Of course.
The Chair: You have to support the local economy while you are there.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: On which date will the conference be held? Have you thought of a particular date? I see that it will be held in Charlottetown, but I do not see a date.
[English]
The Chair: We are looking at mid-July on a Monday. Is there any suggestion from staff as to a suitable Monday?
Kevin Pittman, Clerk of the Committee: We could do Monday, July 15.
The Chair: Senator Kutcher, you are available as of when?
Senator Kutcher: I have just been told I’m not. Apparently I have a delegation from Germany coming to meet me, and the final results of a research project that I ran for three years is being announced the morning of the July 15. I can’t make July 15. My apologies for that.
The Chair: That’s too bad, especially with you being in the next province. I thought that would have been perfect.
Senator Kutcher: It would have been perfect. I thought it was okay, but apparently it’s not.
The Chair: We are discussing a possible date for the media conference in Charlottetown, Senator Deacon.
Senator C. Deacon: My apologies for being late.
The Chair: Is July 15 suitable with you?
Senator C. Deacon: I’ll just have a quick look.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: I will gladly be there.
[English]
Senator R. Black: If you care, it’s okay for me.
Senator C. Deacon: Depending on the arrival of a grandson, absolutely. Nothing will keep me from being around for that event.
The Chair: First of all, we have to get approval for the budget. Are there any questions on the budget before Senator Dagenais moves the motion for approval?
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: I move that the following budget request, for $16 090 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, to study the way in which the value-added food sector can be more competitive in global markets, be adopted and submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
[English]
The Chair: Any further questions?
Senator Oh: Can we do it on July 29, because there is a CPA meeting in Halifax that week.
The Chair: Can I come back to the date later? Right now we have to get the money approved because we have to get this moved on for further approval. This all depends on the money being approved, otherwise we are going to have to come up with a plan B on how we are going to launch the report on value-added.
All those in agreement on the motion, please raise your hands? The motion is carried.
We have a proposed budget that will now go to CIBA for approval, hopefully.
Senator R. Black: When does that happen?
Mr. Pittman: It will have to happen next week.
The Chair: We don’t know what else is on their agenda. We are coming a little late with this. We are at the end of the session, so things are getting a little crowded. We knew that would happen in June.
July 15 seems to be preferable, except for Senator Kutcher and Senator Oh. There are people who are absent this morning who may very well be able to attend on the July 15. Senator Bernard has another commitment elsewhere.
I’m being cautioned that I’ll never find a date that will suit every single person. Let’s go with July 15.
Senator R. Black: I want to make it clear that we have also been told that we might have to meet here that week for other things.
The Chair: Yes, but that could easily end up being another week or another day.
Senator R. Black: I’m just putting it out there.
[Translation]
Senator Dagenais: For July 15th, do we assume that we will leave on Sunday the 14th and return on the 16th? Are we saying that it will take three days?
[English]
The Chair: Yes. You will; I won’t. I’m going to be home. You’ll be travelling on Sunday, July 14.
Senator Dagenais: On Sunday, and I’ll go back on the July 15.
Senator R. Black: If there is the other event that will go for the rest of the day, that may impose —
The Chair: That may make a difference. Let us work that out and we’ll let you know as soon as we know.
Senator R. Black: If there happens to be something else that day —
Senator Kutcher: There aren’t a lot of flights out of Charlottetown after a certain time.
Mr. Pittman: I checked, and I think there is a flight from Montreal at 3:45, something like that.
Senator R. Black: I’m saying if we have a seminar or a symposium that day, that could impact getting out because the symposium could be done at 4:00 or 5:00.
That’s all. I’m just making it clear.
The Chair: Sure.
Let us work on that. We’ll be working with Senate Communications to see what we can work out. The other thing, of course, is we have to get the budget approved. There are two very important things that will affect your schedules.
Senator C. Deacon: If you need to change the date for whatever reason, except for this one specific event that I have absolutely no control over, I’m willing to change to whenever in July because it’s important enough to do that.
The Chair: Thank you.
In terms of the senators who will attend on behalf of the committee, it will be, I’m assuming, the deputy chair, Senator Dagenais and myself. Again, we’ll work that out. I have not discussed that with Senator Mercer. So we’ll get back to you on all the details.
And the others of you, because it is Senate business, are certainly welcome to be there. It will just be on your own office budget.
(The committee adjourned.)