THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 21, 2026
(29)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 6:33 p.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, McBean, McNair, Muggli, Robinson and Sorensen (7).
Participating in the meeting: Joanne Markle LaMontagne, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Sabryna Lemieux, 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:
Protein Industries Canada:
Tyler Groeneveld, Chief Executive Officer (by videoconference).
Food Link Society:
Zahra Haeri, Board Member;
Ali Haeri, Treasurer (by videoconference).
BC Agriculture Council:
Paul Pryce, Director of Policy and Government Relations (by videoconference).
Tyler Groeneveld, Zahra Haeri and Paul Pryce each made a statement and, together with Ali Haeri, answered questions.
At 7:29 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 7:38 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda.
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 and/or staff; 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 report on the growing issue of wildfires in Canada and the communications products be distributed prior to the tabling of the report, under embargo, to a select individual participating in the press conference.
At 8:26 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee