Longtime Saskatchewan agriculture advocate and community leader Todd Lewis has been appointed to the Senate of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday. Lewis, a fourth-generation farmer from Gray, Saskatchewan, has been a strong voice for the province’s agricultural industry for over 40 years.
Lewis has dedicated much of his career to advocating for progress in agriculture. He served five years as President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) and currently holds the position of first Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). His leadership extends to 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 also sits on the Canadian National Railway Agricultural Advisory Council.
Beyond his contributions to agriculture, Lewis has been deeply involved in his community. Since 1975, he has volunteered at the Gray Cooperative Centre and the Gray Cooperative Hall. He previously served as a School Board Trustee and as President of the Board for his community rink. He continues to give back as a volunteer firefighter and Board member for the Riceton Volunteer Fire Department. In addition, Lewis has served over two decades on Lajord’s Municipal Council, where he currently holds the position of Deputy Reeve.
His appointment to the Senate marks the latest chapter in a lifetime of public service. Lewis will join his former CFA leadership colleague Mary Robinson, who was appointed to the Senate earlier in 2024 after serving as CFA President.
Lewis’ contributions to agriculture have been recognized at the federal level before—Prime Minister Trudeau visited his farm during a 2017 trip to Saskatchewan, acknowledging the importance of the industry and Lewis’ role in representing producers.
The Senate appointments also included Baltej Dhillon, a former police officer in British Columbia, and Martine Hébert, an economist from Quebec. The CBC reported last month that Trudeau aimed to fill 10 Senate vacancies before stepping down as Liberal leader on March 9.
With his extensive experience in agriculture and rural issues, Lewis’ appointment is expected to bring valuable insights to the Upper Chamber, ensuring the concerns of Saskatchewan’s farming communities remain a priority at the national level.