Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry
Issue 4 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 7, 2004
(6)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day, at 6:00 p.m., in room 2, Victoria Building, the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C., Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Fairbairn, P.C., Gustafson, Hubley, Mercer, Ringuette and Tkachuk (7).
In attendance: Frédéric Forge, Marc Leblanc and Jean-Denis Fréchette, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: and Leslie Dauncey, Senate Communications Directorate,.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 the committee continued its consideration of the present state and the future of agriculture and forestry in Canada (See Issue No. 1, Tuesday, October 19, 2004 for full text of the Order of Reference.)
TOPIC: The BSE Strategy: Increasing the Ruminant Slaughter Capacity in Canada
WITNESSES:
Canadian Bankers Association:
Terry Campbell, Vice-President, Policy.
Scotiabank:
Bob Funk, Vice-President, Agriculture.
RBC Royal Bank:
Brian Little, National Manager, Agriculture and AgriBusiness.
TD Bank Financial Group:
Dave Marr, Senior Advisor, Community, Rural and Agriculture Issues, Government and Community Relations.
At 6:00 p.m., Mr. Campbell made a statement and together with the other witnesses answered questions.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 the committee continued its consideration of the development and marketing of value-added in agricultural, agri-food and forest products. (See Issue No. 2, Tuesday, October 19, 2004 for full text of the Order of Reference.)
At 7:10 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to its consideration of a draft report, in room 705 of the Victoria Building.
It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gustafson that the committee adopt the draft report entitled ``Value- added and Agriculture in Canada'' subject to the following changes:
That the Foreword should be changed to recognize the work of the previous chairmen, and make it more evident that the Report is structured to reflect the views of the witnesses as suggested by Senator Fairbairn and Senator Calbeck.
That the recommendations 12 and 13 be added as suggested by Senator Ringuette and changes to recommendation 19 be made also at the suggestion of Senator Ringuette.
That two sentences be added to reflect other financial arrangements and strategic alliances farmers form with large processing corporations as suggested by Senator Calbeck and,
That a description of Taste of Nova Scotia be expanded as suggested by Senator Mercer; and
that once the changes are incorporated in the final version of the report it be circulated to all members of the committee for a last review and approval prior to its tabling in the Senate.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 7:50 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 9, 2004
(7)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day, at 8:02 a.m., in room 705, Victoria Building, the Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C., Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Callbeck, Fairbairn, P.C., Gill, Gustafson, Hubley, Oliver, Ringuette and Tkachuk (8).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Frédéric Forge.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 the committee continued its consideration of the present state and the future of agriculture and forestry in Canada. (See Issue No. 1, Tuesday, October 19, 2004 for complete text of Order of Reference.)
TOPIC: Grain marketing.
WITNESSES:
Grassroots Producers of Manitoba:
Murray Downing, President.
Alberta Soft Wheat Producers Commission:
Lynn Jacobson, President;
Andrew G. Kovacs, Executive Director.
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities:
Neal Hardy, President;
Jim Hallick, Director, Division 4.
The Canadian Wheat Board:
Dwayne Anderson, Director, Fosston/Rose area of Saskatchewan;
Ward Weisensel, Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Downing; Messrs Jacobson and Kovacs; and Messrs Hardy and Hallick made statements and answered questions.
At 9:35 a.m., the committee suspended its meeting.
At 9:38 a.m., the committee resumed.
Messrs Anderson and Weisensel made statements and answered questions.
At 10:46 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
François Michaud
Acting Clerk of the Committee