THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 23, 2026
(30)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8 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 Black, Burey, Martin, McBean, McNair, Muggli and Sorensen (7).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Anderson (1).
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:
The Honourable Senator Dawn Anderson.
Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization:
Brian Wade, Director (by videoconference).
BC Dairy:
Casey Pruim, Board Chair (by videoconference).
Global Crop Diversity Trust:
Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director (by videoconference).
Canadian Seed Growers' Association:
Michael Scheffel, Managing Director, Policy and Standards.
The Honourable Senator Anderson and Brian Wade each made a statement.
At 8:09 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:13 a.m., the committee resumed.
The Honourable Senator Anderson answered questions.
At 8:57 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:07 a.m., the committee resumed.
Brian Wade resumed his statement. Casey Pruim, Stefan Schmitz and Michael Scheffel each made a statement and, together with Brian Wade, answered questions.
At 10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee