This panel explores how Canadian agriculture can align environmental stewardship with farm‑level profitability. The panel will examine how sustainable practices such as soil health management, efficient input use, and innovation driven by data and technology, can reduce risk and unlock new economic opportunities. The discussion will challenge the notion that sustainability and profitability are at odds, and instead show how they can reinforce one another across Canada’s agri‑food system.
Senator Rob Black – Moderator
The Honourable Rob Black, P. Ag. (Hon) has worked in the rural, agricultural, and leadership arenas for much of his career. In February 2018, Senator Black was summoned to the Senate to represent the province of Ontario.
Black spearheaded the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee’s study on soil health, completed in 2024. In 2025, he tabled Bill S-230, calling for the development of a national soil strategy, which was launched in March 2026 by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. This was the culmination of eight years of ag-vocacy in Canada’s upper chamber.
Black has been recognized for his significant work in the agriculture sector over the years:
· Honourary Member of the Canadian Society of Soil Science (2024)
· Honourary designation of Professional Agrologist by the Ontario Institute of Agrologists (2025)
· Distinguished Service Medal from the International Union of Soil Sciences (2025)
· Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee (2026)
Brian Treacy, Government and Industry Affairs – Bayer Crop Science
Brian is a molecular biologist by training. He completed his doctorate at the University of Ottawa doing research on canola at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta he joined Ag-West Biotech in Saskatoon. After 12 years in Regulatory Affairs, including 6 years as the Canada Regulatory Lead for Monsanto Canada Brian is currently the Government and Industry Affairs Lead for the Crop Science Division of Bayer Canada Inc.
Christina Stroud, Head Of Corporate Affairs – Syngenta Canada
Christina Stroud is the Head of Corporate Affairs for Syngenta Canada where she leads the government and industry relations, and communication elements of the Syngenta business. Christina sits on the Canadian Territory Leadership Team, and the Canadian Corporate Alignment Team.
As a collaborative and strategic communication professional, Christina effectively advances Syngenta Canada business objectives. She is skilled at building stakeholder relationships and finding opportunities that lead to positive outcomes for the agriculture industry. Before joining Syngenta in 2019, Christina held senior communication and marketing roles within the agriculture sector spanning 25 years. She participates in numerous industry initiatives including CropLife Canada’s Communications Committee, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s Corporate Leaders, and various Canadian Chamber of Commerce committees.
Andre Harpe, Chair – Canadian Canola Growers Association
Andre Harpe is Chair of Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canada’s national association representing nearly 40,000 canola farmers. He also serves as Region 2 Director and Chair of Alberta Canola Producers Commission.
Born and raised in Alberta’s Peace Country, Andre farms near Valhalla Centre with his wife, Diane. Together they operate a 5,000-acre third-generation family farm, where they grow canola, malt barley and grass seed.
A strong believer in community involvement and representation, Andre has served in leadership roles with Peace Country Health, STARS and the Alberta Summer Swimming Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Financial Services Corporation.
Andre has seen agricultural policy become increasingly important to the future of Canadian farming and is strong advocate for policy solutions that enable agriculture Canadian farms to prosper. He believes that a common-sense approach that fully engages farmers in policy conversations is essential in finding solutions that help farmers succeed.
Amarjit Basra, Chief Scientist – OCP North America
Dr. Amarjit Singh Basra is a leading plant biologist and agricultural scientist recognized for impactful innovations in intrinsic crop yield, stress resilience, soil health, and plant nutrition. His career spans academia and industry across multiple continents, including senior research roles at the University of California, Davis, Wageningen University, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, Punjab Agricultural University and major agricultural companies such as Monsanto and Syngenta. As Chief Scientist at OCP North America, he directs initiatives that translate advanced research into practical solutions for sustainable, climate-smart agriculture. A prolific author with over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 12 edited academic books, he also served as the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Crop Improvement. His work has been recognized with honors including the INSA Medal for Young Scientists and the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize by ICAR. Dr. Basra’s career consistently bridges fundamental research with applied solutions to strengthen global food security.