THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 16, 2026
(28)
[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 chair, the Honourable Mary Robinson, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Black, Burey, Hay, McBean, McNair, Robinson and Sorensen (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 continued its study on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector with regard to food security in Canada.
WITNESSES:
Fertilizer Canada:
Michael Bourque, President and Chief Executive Officer.
CropLife Canada:
Pierre Petelle, President and Chief Executive Officer;
Paul Enwerekowe, Director, Regulatory Affairs, Crop Protection.
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency:
Jimi Onalik, President;
Stephen Traynor, Vice-President, Policy, Planning and North Projects Management Office;
Torrine Johnson, Acting Vice-President, Pan-Territorial Operations (by videoconference).
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions:
Marie-Claude Petit, Vice-President, Operations.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency:
Dave Boland, Vice-President, Newfoundland and Labrador;
Elizabeth Beckett, Director General, Regional Operations, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Michael Bourque, Pierre Petelle and Paul Enwerekowe each made a statement and answered questions.
At 9:02 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:09 a.m., the committee resumed.
Jimi Onalik, Marie-Claude Petit and Dave Boland each made a statement and, together with Stephen Traynor, Torrine Johnson and Elizabeth Beckett, answered questions.
At 10:02 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee