Former Saskatchewan farm leader appointed to Senate

Glacier FarmMedia—The former president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan is now a Canadian senator.

Three new independent senators were announced Feb. 7, and Todd Lewis, who farms at Gray, Sask., is among them.

He is a fourth-generation farmer, most recently serving as the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. His appointment follows that of former CFA president Mary Robinson from Prince Edward Island, who was named to the upper chamber in January 2024.

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Lewis said he was encouraged to apply by the increasing role the Senate has had in the parliamentary process the last few years, particularly since the minority government was elected in 2021.

“Ag in general, especially western Canadian ag, has been under-represented in the chamber,” he said.

Lewis was APAS president for five years and is also a rural municipal councillor in Lajord, where he is deputy reeve. He served on numerous committees, including the federal Crop Logistics Working Group, the board of the Western Grains Research Foundation and the Canadian National Railway’s agricultural advisory council, among others.

Locally, he has volunteered since 1975 at the Gray Cooperative Centre and Gray Cooperative Hall. He was a school board trustee and president of the rink board. He is a volunteer firefighter and on the board of the Riceton Volunteer Fire Department.

Robinson applauded Lewis’s appointment, calling it spectacular news.

“A senator who understands the challenges and opportunities western grain producers face,” she posted on X.

The CFA said in a statement that Lewis is an incredible leader and advocate for agriculture.

The six senators currently representing Saskatchewan include Lewis, David Arnot and Marty Klyne in the Independent Senators Group, Pamela Wallin in the Canadian Senators Group, Conservative Denise Batters and Tracy Muggli, who is non-affiliated. Senators must retire at age 75.