THE  STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, October 1, 2024
(82)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 6:30 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Paula Simons, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Burey, Marshall, McBean, McNair, Miville-Dechêne, Oudar, Petitclerc, Richards and Simons (9).

Participating in the meeting: Joanne Markle LaMontagne, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 9, 2024, the committee continued its study of the growing issue of wildfires in Canada and the consequential effects that wildfires have on forestry and agriculture industries, as well as rural and Indigenous communities, throughout the country.

WITNESSES:

Canada Wildfire (Canadian Partnership for Wildland Fire Science):

Brian Wiens, Managing Director.

As individuals:

Jennifer Baltzer, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change, Wilfrid Laurier University;

Sonja Leverkus, Professor, Ecosystem Scientist and Prescribed Fire Specialist, Shifting Mosaics Corporation and Northern Fire WoRx Corporation, University of Alberta (by videoconference);

Jack Thiessen, Rancher, Grass Manager, Prescribed Fire Manager, Thiessen Bros Ranch (by videoconference).

Jennifer Baltzer, Sonja Leverkus, Jack Thiessen and Brian Wiens each made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:26 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Raymond St. Martin

Clerk of the Committee