THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 28, 2024
(90)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 9 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, McBean, McNair, Muggli, Petitclerc, Richards, Simons and Sorensen (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 on 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 (by videoconference):

Rural Municipalities of Alberta:

Kara Westerlund, President.

Fur Institute of Canada:

Doug Chiasson, Executive Director.

National Cattle Feeders' Association:

Andrea Van Iterson, Member and Owner, Westwold View Farms;

Stacy Meunier, Member and Owner of Meunier Livestock and Member.

 As individuals:

Stephanie Montesanti, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Health System Integration, School of Public Health, University of Alberta.

Lori Daniels, Koerner Chair in Wildfire Coexistence, Forestry, University of British Columbia.

Stephanie Montesanti and Kara Westerlund each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:07 a.m., the committee resumed.

Lori Daniels, Doug Chiasson, Stacy Meunier and Andrea Van Iterson each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:58 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Raymond St. Martin

Clerk of the Committee