THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, March 9, 2023
(36)

[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, Cotter, Deacon (Nova Scotia), Duncan, Jaffer, Klyne, Oh, Petitclerc and Smith (9).

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

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.

WITNESSES:

Grain Growers of Canada:

Erin Gowriluk, Executive Director;

Jocelyn Velestuk, Farmer.

Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada:

Rebecca Lee, Executive Director.

Hebert Group:

Kristjan Hebert, President (by videoconference).

Canola Council of Canada:

Curtis Rempel, Vice-President of Crop Production and Innovation.

Pulse Canada:

Denis Tremorin, Director, Sustainability.

Jocelyn Velestuk, Rebecca Lee and Kristjan Hebert each made a statement and, together with Erin Gowriluk, answered questions.

At 9:58 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:02 a.m., the committee resumed.

Curtis Rempel and Denis Tremorin each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:45 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:47 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that a letter, from the Chair and Deputy Chair of the committee, be sent to the ministers of agriculture in the provinces and territories informing them of the soil health study of the committee and requesting their staff’s involvement as witnesses in the study.

At 10:56 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Ferda Simpson

Clerk of the Committee