THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, September 25, 2025
(2)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met in camera this day at 8:01 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, Martin, McBean, McNair, Muggli, Richards, Robinson and Varone (8).

Participating in the meeting: Joanne Markle LaMontagne, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Monica Granados, Communications Officer, Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed in camera a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that, for the remainder of the session, members’ staff be allowed to attend in camera meetings, unless otherwise agreed to by the committee.

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

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine and report on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector in food security in Canada.

That, in particular, the committee should examine:

a) the current status of food security in relation to the Food Policy for Canada created by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada;

b) how the agriculture and agri-food sector could improve food security, in particular in Indigenous, Black and Northern communities, and in other rural and urban communities facing challenges with access to food;

c) the factors that influence food security, including agricultural production systems, climate change, corporate concentration in the agri-food sector, among other factors related to agriculture;

d) the federal measures that are currently in place to address food security issues, especially related to farmers, local food production and food sovereignty;

e) the potential areas of improvement of these federal measures to enhance food security;

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2026, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report; and

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.

It was agreed that, notwithstanding the motion adopted on June 26, 2025, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair and two other members of the committee, to be designated after the usual consultations; and

That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings, and that the committee be kept informed.

At 9:06 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Catlin Seibel-Kamél

Clerk of the Committee