THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 30, 2026
(32)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8:03 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Mary Robinson, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Burey, McNair, Robinson, Ross and Sorensen (5).
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:
Eastern Ontario Health Unit:
Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health.
As individuals:
Brady Deaton Jr., Professor and McCain Family Chair in Food Security, Department of Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics, University of Guelph;
Sarah Elton, Food systems and public health researcher, Assistant Professor, Eakin Chair, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (by videoconference);
Dr. Jonathon Maguire, Pediatrician and Lawson Chair in Patient Engagement in Child Nutrition, Unity Health Toronto; Professor, University of Toronto (by videoconference);
Chantelle Richmond, Professor and Canada Research Chair, Western University (by videoconference).
Brady Deaton Jr. and Sarah Elton each made a statement and answered questions.
At 8:58 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:04 a.m., the committee resumed.
Jonathon Maguire, Paul Roumeliotis and Chantelle Richmond each made a statement and answered questions.
At 9:57 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee