THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 14, 2026
(27)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 6:32 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Mary Robinson, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Burey, McBean, McNair, Muggli, Robinson and Sorensen (6).
Participating in the meeting: Joanne Markle LaMontagne, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Monica Granados, Communications Officer, Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the committee continued its study on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector with regard to food security in Canada.
WITNESSES:
The Honourable Senator Pat Duncan.
Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation:
Derrick Hastings, Farm Manager (by videoconference).
Government of Yukon:
Randy Lamb, Agrologist, Agriculture Branch, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources (by videoconference).
As an individual:
Kari Johnston, Volunteer, Kluane Region Food Hamper Program (by videoconference).
The Honourable Senator Pat Duncan, Derrick Hastings, Randy Lamb and Kari Johnston each made a statement and answered questions.
At 7:37 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:41 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.
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.
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members or by the committee analysts, and that the audio recording and/or transcription 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 draft report, as amended, be adopted in both official languages, and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, or with the Clerk of the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity, and that the chair request a complete and detailed response from the government.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee to publicize the report with the support of the Senate Communications, Broadcasting and Publications Directorate.
At 8:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee