THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 30, 2025
(9)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8:03 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable John McNair, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Martin, McBean, McNair, Muggli, Robinson, Sorensen and Varone (7).

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:

Canadian Federation of Agriculture:

Jill Verwey, First Vice-President;

Maria Alkayed, Manager, Environment and Regulatory Affairs (by videoconference).

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited:

Neil Sweeney, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs;

Phil Poutissou, Vice-President, De Havilland Defence;

Sandra Howell, Vice-President, Corporate Programs.

Scodev International b.v.:

Jacobus Benedik, General Manager.

As individuals:

Nicola Cherry, Professor Emeritus, University of Alberta (by videoconference).

Claire M. Belcher, Professor of Wildland Fire, wildFIRE Lab, University of Exeter (by videoconference).

John Gradek, Faculty Lecturer, Area Coordinator, Aviation Management and Supply Chain Management, School of Continuing Studies, McGill University (by videoconference).

Nicola Cherry, Claire M. Belcher and Jill Verwey each made a statement and, together with Maria Alkayed, answered questions.

At 8:57 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:02 a.m., the committee resumed.

Neil Sweeney, Jacobus Benedik and John Gradek each made a statement and, together with Sandra Howell and Phil Poutissou, answered questions.

At 9:56 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Catlin Seibel-Kamél

Clerk of the Committee