Bill C-18 explained in plain English

On December 9, 2013, the House of Commons debated and passed Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act, at its first reading. The Hansard record for this sitting includes discussions on various other matters, including Private Members' Business on the Criminal Code, Privilege concerning a letter from a Senator, and debates on Government Orders such as the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans, and Supplementary Estimates. The sitting also included Statements by Members on various topics and Oral Questions on Ethics, Privacy, Rail Transportation, Pensions, Northern Development, Employment Insurance, Veterans Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Citizenship and Immigration, Consumer Protection, Regional Economic Development, and Aboriginal Affairs. The record shows routine proceedings such as Government Responses to Petitions, introduction of Bills, and Committee reports, as well as the tabling of Petitions on a wide range of subjects. The House then proceeded to divisions on several motions and bills, including the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2013-14, and the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2.

On March 3, 2014, the House of Commons began the second reading debate for Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. This bill aims to modernize nine agriculture-related statutes. The debate included discussions on updating plant breeders' rights, licensing of feed and fertilizer operations, and border controls for agricultural products. Opposition members raised concerns about the bill's potential impact on farmers, the process of setting royalty rates, and the delegation of authority to regulatory processes. The government stated that the bill reflects extensive stakeholder consultations and aims to improve competitiveness and safety in the agricultural sector.

This document contains the text of the second reading debate in the House of Commons on Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. The debate features speeches from the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who introduced the bill, and several other Members of Parliament from different parties. The discussions cover various aspects of the bill, including its proposed amendments to nine different statutes related to agriculture and agri-food, with a focus on modernizing legislation, reducing red tape, promoting trade, and strengthening product safety. Key themes include plant breeders' rights, farmers' privilege, the regulation of animal feed and fertilizers, border controls for agricultural products, and the advance payments program for farmers.

This document is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on March 3, 2014, during the second reading stage of Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. The debate primarily focused on the bill's proposed amendments to various agricultural acts. Members from different parties discussed the bill's provisions related to plant breeders' rights, farmers' privilege, and regulations for feed and fertilizer. There was also a significant discussion about the impact of these changes on Canadian farmers and the agricultural industry, with concerns raised about corporate interests and the potential for increased costs for farmers. The debate also touched upon broader agricultural policy issues and the government's support for the sector.

On March 3, 2014, members of the House of Commons debated Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act, during its second reading. The debate focused on various amendments to agricultural legislation. Key discussion points included the modernization of nine different statutes, the alignment of plant breeders' rights with international standards (UPOV '91), and the protection of "farmers' privilege" for saving and replanting seed. There was also discussion on new controls for fertilizer and animal feed licensing, stricter border controls for imported agricultural products, and amendments to farm financing programs. The debate also touched upon the government's efforts in agriculture research and the competitiveness of Canadian farmers in global markets. Opposition members raised concerns about the bill being an omnibus bill, the potential impact of regulatory changes, and the balance between corporate interests and farmers' rights. Several members also discussed the importance of timely grain transportation for western farmers.

This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on May 26, 2014. It details debates and procedural matters that occurred on that day. The sitting included discussions on various legislative items, points of order, statements by members, oral questions, routine proceedings, and committee reports. Notably, there was a debate on a motion to extend sitting hours and discussions related to Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. The record also includes numerous petitions presented by members on a wide range of topics and details on government responses to petitions and committee business.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting where various matters were discussed. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to paying tribute to Senator Asha Seth, who was retiring. Senators shared personal anecdotes and highlighted her contributions to medicine, philanthropy, and her work in strengthening ties between Canada and India. The sitting also included the tabling of committee reports, discussions on international trade agreements (Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), greenhouse gas emissions, and debates on specific bills. Bill C-18, concerning agriculture and agri-food, was introduced for second reading and debate was adjourned. Bill C-3, amending the Aviation Industry Indemnity Act, passed third reading. Debate continued on Bill C-13, the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act, and a motion for time allocation was introduced. The Senate also considered Supplementary Estimates (B) for 2014-2015.

This artifact is a transcript of a Senate debate on December 3, 2014. It contains several discussions, including tributes to Senator Asha Seth on her upcoming retirement, remarks on the passing of Jean Arthur Béliveau, details about the Science Ambassador Program, discussions on organ donation, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and tributes to Alex Van Bibber and Hazel McCallion. The Senate also tabled committee reports on underground infrastructure and NATO association meetings. Significant debate occurred regarding the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and its investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, and on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon pricing, with references to Preston Manning's views. Debates also continued on Bill C-3 (Aviation Industry Indemnity Act) and Bill C-13 (Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act), with Senator Jaffer expressing concerns about Bill C-13's focus on punishment over prevention. Finally, second reading debate began on Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act, which aims to modernize agricultural legislation.

This document is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on June 13, 2014, regarding Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. Members from various parties, including the NDP, Liberal, and Conservative parties, discussed different aspects of the bill. Key themes included concerns about plant breeders' rights, the potential impact on farmers' access to and use of seeds, the bill's omnibus nature (covering multiple acts), and the ratification of international conventions related to plant varieties. The debate also touched on the advance payments program for farmers and other related agricultural legislation.

This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on June 16, 2014. During this sitting, the House debated Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act. This sitting also included Private Members' Business, Statements by Members, Oral Questions on various topics, and Government Orders related to other bills. The main focus of the provided text is the debate on Bill C-18, where members of Parliament from different parties discussed various aspects of the bill, including its potential impact on farmers, plant breeders' rights, and the advance payments program. Concerns were raised about the bill being an omnibus bill, containing amendments to multiple acts, and the process of how these changes were being handled.

The Senate sat on December 9, 2014. Several notices of motions were given, including extending committee report dates. The Senate discussed various topics including chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, user fees for access to information requests, and the carbon tax. The Senate also debated and passed Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Copyright Act and the Trade-marks Act. Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Bill, was read a second time and referred to committee. Appropriation Bill No. 4, 2014-15 (Bill C-45) was also read a second time. The Senate also considered a motion regarding the Statutes Repeal Act, and motions regarding time allotment for the debate of other bills. There was extended debate on Bill C-428, An Act to amend the Indian Act (publication of by-laws) and to provide for its replacement, with a motion in amendment being introduced. The Senate also debated its legislative role and its role in protecting minorities. Finally, the Governor General presided over a Royal Assent ceremony where several bills received Royal Assent.

This artifact is a record of a debate that occurred in the House of Commons during the second reading stage of Bill C-18, an Act to amend certain Acts relating to agriculture and agri-food. During the debate, Senator Claudette Tardif spoke about the bill, also known as the "Agricultural Growth Bill." She noted that the bill is extensive, amending nine different acts. She expressed support for some of the bill's objectives, such as updating legislation that hasn't been changed in over 50 years and improving record-keeping for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. However, she also raised concerns about the bill moving Canada from the UPOV 1978 convention standards to UPOV 1991 standards for plant breeders' rights, the use of the word "privilege" instead of "right" for farmers' seed storage, and the government's increased use of "incorporation by reference," which allows regulations to be changed without parliamentary debate. The debate also included a brief discussion on the timing of the bill's passage, with a motion to limit debate time at the third reading stage being withdrawn.

On November 5, 2014, the House of Commons met. The sitting included statements by members on various topics including the potash industry, the blood supply, Remembrance Day, and international affairs. There was also a period for oral questions where members from different parties discussed issues such as manufacturing, employment, child care, and citizenship and immigration. The House also proceeded with government orders and private members' business, including debates and votes on several bills. The sitting concluded with adjournment proceedings.

This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on November 17, 2014. It details debates and proceedings related to several bills and issues, including private members' business on child poverty, privilege concerns regarding an economic update, and government orders concerning the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act and the Agricultural Growth Act (Bill C-18). It also includes routine proceedings such as the tabling of petitions, questions on the order paper, and debates on reports from various committees, notably on youth employment and veterans affairs. The sitting concluded with adjournment proceedings on Aboriginal Affairs.

During the report stage debate of Bill C-18, the "Agricultural Growth Act", the House of Commons considered amendments. A significant portion of the debate focused on a "time allocation motion" proposed by the government to limit debate time on the bill. Members from various parties, particularly the NDP and Liberals, expressed concerns about the government's frequent use of time allocation, arguing it limits democratic debate. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food defended the motion, stating the bill had been discussed for many years and it was time to pass it. Several votes were held on amendments and motions related to the bill, with the government's time allocation motion being adopted. Following this, the House proceeded to consider amendments at the report stage, with several votes taken on these amendments. The bill was eventually concurred in at the report stage, amended.

During the third reading debate of Bill C-18, An Act to amend certain Acts relating to agriculture and agri-food, Members of Parliament from various parties discussed the bill's proposed changes. The debate focused on amendments to the Plant Breeders' Rights Act, the Advanced Payments Program, and other agricultural legislation. Opposition parties, primarily the New Democratic Party (NDP), raised concerns about the bill's balance between corporate rights and farmers' rights, the potential for increased litigation, the discretion granted to the minister, and the distinction between farmers'