THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, May 28, 2026
(36)
[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 Black, Burey, McBean, Muggli and Robinson (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:
Land Over Landings:
Alexis Whalen, Chair.
Cowessess First Nation:
Erica Beaudin, Chief;
Terry Lerat, Councillor.
National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food:
Kallie Wood, President and CEO.
Manitoba Métis Federation:
David Beaudin, Minister of Agriculture (by videoconference);
Marci Riel, Senior Director, Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management (by videoconference).
As an individual:
Chris Bodnar, Assistant Professor, Agribusiness, University of the Fraser Valley.
Chris Bodnar and Alexis Whalen each made a statement and answered questions.
At 9:01 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:08 a.m., the committee resumed.
Chief Erica Beaudin, Terry Lerat, Kallie Wood, David Beaudin and Marci Riel each made a statement and answered questions.
At 9:58 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Andrea Mugny
Clerk of the Committee