THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 9, 2024
(76)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8:59 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Robert Black, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Black, Burey, Jaffer, McBean, McNair, Oh, Robinson and Simons (8).

Participating in the meeting: Joanne Markle LaMontagne, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Ben Silverman, Communications Officer, Communications Directorate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the committee continued its study on issues relating to agriculture and forestry generally. (Topic: The growing issue of wildfires in Canada and the consequential effects that wildfires have on forestry and agriculture industries)

WITNESSES:

Canadian Red Cross:

Amy Avis, Chief of Emergencies.

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs:

Ken McMullen, President;

Tina Saryeddine, Executive Director.

Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center:

Lisa Walker, Director, Resiliency and Partnerships.

Amy Avis, Ken McMullen and Lisa Walker each made a statement and, together with Tina Saryeddine, answered questions.

At 10:04 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:08 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-6(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the committee continued its study of the status of soil health in Canada.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.

At 10:45 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ferda Simpson

Clerk of the Committee