THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 7, 2026
(34)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry met this day at 8:04 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, McBean, McNair, Muggli, Robinson and Sorensen (6).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Ross (1).
Participating in the meeting: Joanne Markle LaMontagne, Analyst, Library of Parliament; Andrea Mugny, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the committee continued its examination of issues as may arise from time to time relating to agriculture and forestry. (Topic: Ag101)
WITNESSES:
Hustle Farms Ltd.:
Lindsay Steele, Agriculturalist, Farm Owner (by videoconference).
Heppell's Potato Corp:
Tyler Heppell, Farmer.
BC Fresh Vegetables Inc.:
Murray Driediger, Chairman, BC Fresh (by videoconference).
As an individual:
Rachel Brooks, Farmer and co-chair, Clearview ROAR.
Rachel Brooks and Lindsay Steele each made a statement and answered questions.
At 8:48 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:54 a.m., the committee resumed.
Tyler Heppell and Murray Driediger each made a statement and answered questions.
At 9:49 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:51 a.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 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.
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.
At 9:53 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:53 a.m., the committee resumed in public.
It was agreed that the following budget application under the committee’s order of reference to examine and report on the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector with regard to food security in Canada, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
|
ACTIVITY 1: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
$89,686 |
|
ACTIVITY 2: Saint Isidore, Ontario |
$4,395 |
|
TOTAL |
$94,081 |
At 9:54 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Caroline Woodward
Clerk of the Committee