THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 21, 2024
(89)

[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, Oudar, Petitclerc, Richards, Simons and Sorensen (10).

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:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

William J. de Groot, Fire Management Specialist.

As individuals:

Jen Beverly, Associate Professor, Wildland Fire, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta.

Mike Flannigan, British Columbia Innovation, Research Chair for Predictive Services, Emergency Management and Fire Science, Thompson Rivers University (by videoconference).

Sarah Henderson, Scientific Director, Environmental Health Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and Scientific Director, National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health.

Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University.

Jen Beverly, Mike Flannigan and William J. de Groot each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10 a.m., the committee suspended.

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

Sarah Henderson and Vincent Agyapong each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:59 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Raymond St. Martin

Clerk of the Committee