THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 23, 2025
(7)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8 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, McBean, McNair, Muggli, Robinson and Varone (6).

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

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 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:

Insurance Bureau of Canada:

Liam McGuinty, Vice-President, Federal Affairs;

Margot Whittington, Manager, Climate Policy.

National Research Council Canada:

Jean-François Houle, Vice-President, Engineering;

Noureddine Bénichou, Research Officer, Fire Resistant Construction.

FireSwarm Solutions Inc.:

Alex Deslauriers, Chief Executive Officer.

Strategic Natural Resource Group:

Domenico Iannidinardo, Chief Executive Officer.

Liam McGuinty and Jean-François Houle each made a statement and, together with Noureddine Bénichou and Margot Whittington, answered questions.

At 8:58 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:03 a.m., the committee resumed.

Alex Deslauriers and Domenico Iannidinardo each made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:52 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Catlin Seibel-Kamél

Clerk of the Committee