THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 20, 2025
(13)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8:01 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 Burey, 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, October 22, 2025, the committee began its study on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector with regard to food security in Canada.

WITNESSES:

Growcer:

Corey Ellis, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder.

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Jacqueline Thorne, Director General, Income Security and Social Development Branch, National School Food Program;

Hugues Vaillancourt, Director General, Social Policy Directorate, Strategic and Service Policy Branch.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

Georgina Lloyd, Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs;

Wayne Walsh, Director General, Northern Strategic Policy Branch.

Indigenous Services Canada:

Karen Campbell, Director General, Education Branch.

Corey Ellis made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:01 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:04 a.m., the committee resumed.

Jacqueline Thorne, Georgina Lloyd and Karen Campbell each made a statement and, together with Wayne Walsh and Hugues Vaillancourt, answered questions.

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

ATTEST:

Catlin Seibel-Kamél

Clerk of the Committee