Agriculture and Agri-Food

The committee held its first meeting of the session to elect its chair and vice-chairs. Michael Coteau was elected chair, John Barlow was elected first vice-chair, and Yves Perron was elected second vice-chair, all by acclamation.

After the elections, Mr. Perron gave notice of two motions for future studies. The first motion proposed three meetings on price transparency in the pork supply chain, citing the use of U.S. reference prices and a lack of transparency. The second motion proposed three meetings on the investment deficit in the agri-food sector, referencing Canada’s decline in OECD capital investment rankings and the need for automation and regional food processing.

Mr. Barlow suggested that rather than proceeding immediately with these motions, the parties should bring their own study proposals to a subcommittee meeting, possibly in early September, to prioritize the committee’s work. He also suggested broadening the pork motion to include beef and expanding the investment motion to address declining farm revenues. Ms. Chatel seconded the idea of a subcommittee meeting to set priorities. The committee did not vote on the motions, leaving them as notices for future consideration.