In memoriam: Senator Todd Lewis
Colleagues of the Honourable Todd Lewis are remembering the late senator as an “extraordinary” parliamentarian, a wise and friendly presence in the Senate and a “tireless advocate” for Canada’s agricultural sector.
Senator Lewis was appointed to the Red Chamber to represent his home province of Saskatchewan in 2025, following a successful career that combined more than 40 years of farming, advocacy work and community service.
He was the fourth generation to work on his family farm in Gray, Saskatchewan — just south of Regina. He died at Round Lake, where he spent every summer with his family and friends, on July 31, 2026. He was 65.
Senator Lewis was “a man of integrity, deep kindness and sharp wisdom” who brought “the authentic, grounded voice of a fourth-generation Saskatchewan farmer” to Ottawa, recalled Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, leader of the Canadian Senators Group (CSG).
“His decades of dedicated leadership defined his approach to public service,” she said . “Canada has lost an extraordinary advocate and parliamentarian. We are heartbroken.”
As a valued member of the CSG, Senator Lewis made meaningful contributions to the work of the Senate — both on the Chamber floor and in committees.
Senator Todd Lewis stands in front of the Speaker’s chair in the Senate Chamber.
Notably, as a member of the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, he participated in three reports examining copper theft in Canada, labour relations in the rail and marine sectors and the local news services provided by CBC/Radio-Canada.
He was also an active member of the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. In March 2026, he embarked on a fact-finding mission to Newfoundland and Labrador with other committee members to learn more about the province’s offshore energy sector.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, Senator Lewis, left, participates in a March 2026 fact-finding mission to learn more about Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore energy sector, along with senators David Wells, Julie Miville-Dechêne, Réjean Aucoin, Joan Kingston and Daryl S. Fridhandler.
Senator Lewis peers into a microscope during a committee fact-finding mission to Newfoundland and Labrador in March 2026.
Although Senator Lewis’s time in the Red Chamber was cut short far too soon, the leaders of the Senate’s recognized groups all said he built a professional and personal legacy that will endure.
Senator Pierre Moreau described his late colleague as a “beloved community member” who represented his home province with “deep pride.”
“His warm and sincere presence in the Chamber will be missed, by both senators and, I am certain, the people of Saskatchewan who benefitted from his knowledge and advocacy,” Senator Moreau said.
Senator Leo Housakos paid tribute to Senator Lewis’s impressive work ethic and positive personality.
“Proud of his beloved Saskatchewan, Todd was known as a tireless advocate for Canadian agriculture. However, since being appointed to the Senate, we quickly came to also know his affable nature, genuine kindness, and remarkable ease and ability to build friendships,” Senator Housakos said.
Senator Lucie Moncion described her late colleague as someone “deeply respected for his integrity, his dedication to public service, and his unwavering commitment to Saskatchewan’s rural communities and agricultural sector.”
“His experience, wisdom, and collegial approach have left a lasting mark on the Senate and on all those who had the privilege of working alongside him,” Senator Moncion said.
Senator Brian Francis called Senator Lewis’s passing a “devastating loss to the Senate, to Saskatchewan, and to Canada.”
“His warmth and insight will be sorely missed,” Senator Francis said.
A book of condolences and a photo of Senator Lewis rest on a table outside the Red Chamber in the Senate of Canada Building.
Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, centre, and Senator Mary Robinson congratulate Senator Todd Lewis ahead of his swearing-in ceremony in the Red Chamber on May 29, 2025.
A message from Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagné
It is with immense sadness that I inform you that the Honourable Todd Lewis has passed away.
The passing of Senator Lewis marks the loss of a steadfast champion for Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector and a pillar of the community who leaves behind a legacy shaped by four generations of farming. Throughout his more than four-decade career on the land, Senator Lewis emerged as a leading advocate for farmers’ interests, serving five years as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and as a leading member of many other community organizations. His devotion to public service led him to serve more than twenty years as a municipal councillor.
On behalf of the Senate of Canada, I would like to extend my condolences to all his family, friends and loved ones.
Before his appointment to the Senate, Senator Lewis served for five years as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and sat on various provincial and federal committees and working groups. He was first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and a member of the Canadian National Railway Agricultural Advisory Council.
Additionally, he was a dedicated community leader who contributed to his local institutions in many capacities — including as a school board trustee, volunteer firefighter and municipal councillor.
Senator Lewis’s drive to serve his local and agricultural communities only grew stronger in the Red Chamber. He used his maiden speech in the Senate to throw his support behind Bill S-230 — an act that, if passed, would require the federal minister of agriculture to develop a national strategy on soil health.
“Can you imagine a farmer talking about dirt?” Senator Lewis said on October 28, 2025, earning him laughs across the Chamber.
“Soil is the base of everything we do in Canada — whether in the North, South, East or West — and whether in urban or rural Canada. That’s why soil protection, conservation and enhancement is so important to all constituencies in Canada.”
Tributes to Senator Lewis were delivered in the Senate Chamber on September 29, 2026, and were followed by a minute of silence.
Related articles
Tags
Committee news
In memoriam: Senator Todd Lewis
Colleagues of the Honourable Todd Lewis are remembering the late senator as an “extraordinary” parliamentarian, a wise and friendly presence in the Senate and a “tireless advocate” for Canada’s agricultural sector.
Senator Lewis was appointed to the Red Chamber to represent his home province of Saskatchewan in 2025, following a successful career that combined more than 40 years of farming, advocacy work and community service.
He was the fourth generation to work on his family farm in Gray, Saskatchewan — just south of Regina. He died at Round Lake, where he spent every summer with his family and friends, on July 31, 2026. He was 65.
Senator Lewis was “a man of integrity, deep kindness and sharp wisdom” who brought “the authentic, grounded voice of a fourth-generation Saskatchewan farmer” to Ottawa, recalled Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, leader of the Canadian Senators Group (CSG).
“His decades of dedicated leadership defined his approach to public service,” she said . “Canada has lost an extraordinary advocate and parliamentarian. We are heartbroken.”
As a valued member of the CSG, Senator Lewis made meaningful contributions to the work of the Senate — both on the Chamber floor and in committees.
Senator Todd Lewis stands in front of the Speaker’s chair in the Senate Chamber.
Notably, as a member of the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, he participated in three reports examining copper theft in Canada, labour relations in the rail and marine sectors and the local news services provided by CBC/Radio-Canada.
He was also an active member of the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. In March 2026, he embarked on a fact-finding mission to Newfoundland and Labrador with other committee members to learn more about the province’s offshore energy sector.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, Senator Lewis, left, participates in a March 2026 fact-finding mission to learn more about Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore energy sector, along with senators David Wells, Julie Miville-Dechêne, Réjean Aucoin, Joan Kingston and Daryl S. Fridhandler.
Senator Lewis peers into a microscope during a committee fact-finding mission to Newfoundland and Labrador in March 2026.
Although Senator Lewis’s time in the Red Chamber was cut short far too soon, the leaders of the Senate’s recognized groups all said he built a professional and personal legacy that will endure.
Senator Pierre Moreau described his late colleague as a “beloved community member” who represented his home province with “deep pride.”
“His warm and sincere presence in the Chamber will be missed, by both senators and, I am certain, the people of Saskatchewan who benefitted from his knowledge and advocacy,” Senator Moreau said.
Senator Leo Housakos paid tribute to Senator Lewis’s impressive work ethic and positive personality.
“Proud of his beloved Saskatchewan, Todd was known as a tireless advocate for Canadian agriculture. However, since being appointed to the Senate, we quickly came to also know his affable nature, genuine kindness, and remarkable ease and ability to build friendships,” Senator Housakos said.
Senator Lucie Moncion described her late colleague as someone “deeply respected for his integrity, his dedication to public service, and his unwavering commitment to Saskatchewan’s rural communities and agricultural sector.”
“His experience, wisdom, and collegial approach have left a lasting mark on the Senate and on all those who had the privilege of working alongside him,” Senator Moncion said.
Senator Brian Francis called Senator Lewis’s passing a “devastating loss to the Senate, to Saskatchewan, and to Canada.”
“His warmth and insight will be sorely missed,” Senator Francis said.
A book of condolences and a photo of Senator Lewis rest on a table outside the Red Chamber in the Senate of Canada Building.
Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, centre, and Senator Mary Robinson congratulate Senator Todd Lewis ahead of his swearing-in ceremony in the Red Chamber on May 29, 2025.
A message from Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagné
It is with immense sadness that I inform you that the Honourable Todd Lewis has passed away.
The passing of Senator Lewis marks the loss of a steadfast champion for Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector and a pillar of the community who leaves behind a legacy shaped by four generations of farming. Throughout his more than four-decade career on the land, Senator Lewis emerged as a leading advocate for farmers’ interests, serving five years as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and as a leading member of many other community organizations. His devotion to public service led him to serve more than twenty years as a municipal councillor.
On behalf of the Senate of Canada, I would like to extend my condolences to all his family, friends and loved ones.
Before his appointment to the Senate, Senator Lewis served for five years as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and sat on various provincial and federal committees and working groups. He was first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and a member of the Canadian National Railway Agricultural Advisory Council.
Additionally, he was a dedicated community leader who contributed to his local institutions in many capacities — including as a school board trustee, volunteer firefighter and municipal councillor.
Senator Lewis’s drive to serve his local and agricultural communities only grew stronger in the Red Chamber. He used his maiden speech in the Senate to throw his support behind Bill S-230 — an act that, if passed, would require the federal minister of agriculture to develop a national strategy on soil health.
“Can you imagine a farmer talking about dirt?” Senator Lewis said on October 28, 2025, earning him laughs across the Chamber.
“Soil is the base of everything we do in Canada — whether in the North, South, East or West — and whether in urban or rural Canada. That’s why soil protection, conservation and enhancement is so important to all constituencies in Canada.”
Tributes to Senator Lewis were delivered in the Senate Chamber on September 29, 2026, and were followed by a minute of silence.