Canadian agriculture mourns the sudden passing of Senator Todd Lewis

Ottawa, Ont. (Rural Roots Canada) – Canada’s agriculture sector is mourning the sudden passing of Saskatchewan Senator Todd Lewis.

The Canadian Senators Group (CSG) announced his death on Saturday, calling him “a towering figure for Western Canadian agriculture.”

A farmer in Saskatchewan for over 40 years, Senator Lewis spent years advocating for change and progress in the Saskatchewan agriculture sector. He served as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and sat on various committees and working groups, including the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Crop Logistics Working Group, the board of directors of the Western Grains Research Foundation, and Saskatchewan’s Provincial Water Advisory Group. He was also the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and a member of the Canadian National Railway Agricultural Advisory Council.

A fourth-generation farmer from Gray, Saskatchewan, just south of Regina, Senator Lewis was an active member of his community, serving as a school trustee, a volunteer firefighter, and a member of Lajord’s Municipal Council for more than 20 years.

In a statement, the CSG said his unexpected passing is an immense shock.

“Todd brought the authentic, grounded voice of a fourth-generation Saskatchewan farmer directly into the Upper Chamber,” said the Hon. Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, Leader of the CSG. “His decades of dedicated leadership—from heading the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan to serving his local community as a volunteer firefighter and municipal councillor—defined his approach to public service. He was a man of integrity, deep kindness, and sharp wisdom. Canada has lost an extraordinary advocate and parliamentarian. We are heartbroken.”

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Across social media, agriculture leaders, politicians, and friends shared their shock and sadness over his death, including Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“From his local school board, to the volunteer fire hall, to more than 20 years on Lajord’s municipal council, Senator Lewis served his community at nearly every level. A strong and steadfast voice for rural communities, he led a distinguished career of advocacy for Canadian farmers,” Carney said.

“Senator Todd Lewis was always a jovial and congenial individual,” said Kyle Larkin, president of the Canadian Meat Council. “He and his grain farming background will be sorely missed in the upper chamber.”

“Todd was a dedicated advocate for agriculture in Saskatchewan. We will remember him for his leadership, experience, and commitment to serving others,” wrote Warren Keading, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Trade and Export Development.

Alberta Senator Paula Simon said his “humour, his commitment and his thoughtful analysis were so valued in the Senate, especially in our committee work. He loved his family, his farm, his community. He was such a powerful advocate for Saskatchewan – and such a warm, funny guy. What a loss for those who loved him, and for the Senate.”

 

Photo credits: Senate of Canada

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