The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food met at 6:48 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Merv Tweed, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Malcolm Allen, Alex Atamanenko, Ruth Ellen Brosseau, Randy Hoback, Pierre Lemieux, LaVar Payne, Blake Richards, Merv Tweed, Frank Valeriote and Bob Zimmer.
Acting Members present: Niki Ashton for Francine Raynault, Ed Holder for Brian Storseth and Michelle Rempel for Brian Storseth.
In attendance: Library of Parliament: Frédéric Forge, Analyst; Khamla Heminthavong, Analyst. House of Commons: Mike MacPherson, Legislative Clerk.
Witnesses: Canadian Special Crops Association (Pulse Canada): Gordon Bacon, Chief Executive Officer. Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Humphrey Banack, Second Vice-President. Canadian Grain Commission: Elwin N. Hermanson, Chief Commissioner; Gordon Miles, Chief Operating Officer. Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food: Frédéric Seppey, Director General, Policy Development and Analysis Directorate. Canadian Canola Growers Association: Richard White, General Manager.
Elwin Hermanson made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:44 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 7:49 p.m., the sitting resumed.
Gordon Bacon, Richard White and Humphrey Banack made a statement and answered questions.
At 8:45 p.m., Frank Valeriote took the Chair.
At 8:47 p.m., Merv Tweed took the Chair.
At 8:57 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 8:59 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.
It was agreed, — That, in relation to its study of subject matter of clauses 351 to 410 (Canada Grain Act) of Bill C-45, the proposed budget in the amount of $2,900.00 be adopted.
It was agreed, — That, following its consideration of the subject matter of clauses 351 to 410 (Canada Grain Act) of Bill C-45, the Committee send a letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance, informing him that the Committee heard from witnesses in respect to this matter.
It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Honourable Gerry Ritz, P.C., M.P., Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, to appear before the Committee on the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2012-13 on Thursday, November 29, 2012.
At 9:10 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
David-Andrés NovoaClerk of the Committee