SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Grand River Agricultural Society

Honourable senators, I rise today to shine a spotlight on the Grand River Agricultural Society, located in southern Ontario. It’s a leading agricultural organization dedicated to fostering innovation and strengthening local communities, agriculture and the environment.

Across the country, agricultural and horticultural societies have long enriched local communities through initiatives such as beautification projects, local scholarships and hosting long-standing agricultural fairs and exhibitions.

They hold significant value for our country by preserving history and traditions, showcasing agricultural and rural lifestyles and significantly contributing to local economies and Canada’s GDP.

According to the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, fairs and exhibitions alone contribute $48 billion to local economies every year.

I had the pleasure of connecting with volunteers from the Grand River Agricultural Society, or GRAS, and I quickly learned about some of the exceptional initiatives they are undertaking to not only strengthen their community but also drive innovation in our agricultural and environmental sectors.

Governed by a volunteer board of directors, their mission is to support innovation, education, economic growth and community by enabling agriculture and the environment to thrive.

GRAS advances this mission through a range of activities, including The SPARK Symposium, an annual showcase that brings together agriculture and agri-food technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Taking place on April 22, 2026, the event highlights Canadian agricultural technologies and companies, while also connecting them with potential investors and partners that share an interest in agriculture and the environment.

For their fifth year, GRAS has chosen the theme “Igniting Carbon-Smart Agri Innovation.” The symposium will feature Canadian companies like FireRein Inc., a team that created a firefighting foam alternative made from 70% Canadian bio-based feedstock; SoilOptix, a company that has developed soil sensors for high-resolution soil scanning and mapping; and Competitive Green Technologies which uses waste biomass to produce plastics for food packaging and equipment parts.

But this is not GRAS’s only initiative. Through philanthropy and impact investing, they are committed to creating long-term sustainability in the agricultural and environmental sectors by fuelling innovation in their own backyard.

In 2024-25 alone, they spent $652,000 on agricultural events and community support initiatives. Through scholarships, community grants, educational events, direct investments and The SPARK Symposium, GRAS is demonstrating the many facets of agricultural societies and the value they contribute to our communities.

Honourable colleagues, please join me in congratulating the Grand River Agricultural Society on their significant contributions to the agricultural and environmental sectors as well as to their communities and our country.

Thank you. Meegwetch.