ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS — Agriculture and Forestry
Committee Authorized to Extend Date of Final Report on Study of How the Value-added Food Sector Can be More Competitive in Global Markets
June 20, 2019
Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(a), I move:
That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Thursday, November 29, 2018, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry in relation to its study on how the value-added food sector can be more competitive in global markets be extended from June 28, 2019, to July 31, 2019.
The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?
Honourable senators, before I grant leave, I would ask for an explanation as to why this is happening again. We are continually being asked for leave when things could so easily be done with Notices of Motion so that we do things in an orderly fashion and don’t need to ask for leave.
I’m not sure if it’s proper, Your Honour, but, if it is, I would like the senator to explain why. I believe yesterday or the day before, she asked for leave. Here she is today, again, asking for leave.
Thank you, Senator Plett. You make a very good point. It’s a case of, I have to say, mea culpa. We originally thought we had lots of time to do this because it was going to be the end of June. The Senate would be rising. We’d have our report done and launched. All of sudden we realized, oh-oh, the new plan was to make the report more extensive, a much better-valued product, befitting of its value to the agricultural industry. The only way we can do that is to actually go to the July date. I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to inconvenience the chamber. I ask your pardon, but I’m also asking your approval. Thank you.
I’m not sure that the proper word there would be “inconveniencing” this chamber. We have proper rules and procedures. I want to be on the record, at least, as saying that when we don’t give leave, it is not necessarily because we oppose certain things but I want to state that I am very reluctant. I will reluctantly not vote against it and will give leave.
Again, is leave granted? Senator Day?
A short while ago, the honourable senator asked for leave to have money to release a report. Would this be the same report for which you got funding, previously?
Yes, I have to admit this is the same report. You’re very quick to pick that up. It is indeed the same report. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience to the house, but I do appreciate your support.
Is leave granted, honourable senators?
Accordingly, it was moved by the Honourable Senator Griffin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that notwithstanding the order of the Senate — shall I dispense?
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
(Motion agreed to.)
