Dairy Farmer from the Gaspé Peninsula continues Presidency at the Canadian Dairy Commission

Mélissa Gélinas

On October 23, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, appointed Jennifer Hayes as President of the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) for a second four-year term, effective December 23.

In a press release, MacDonald stated, “Her expertise and commitment are essential for our sector as we continue to work together to ensure our national dairy industry remains competitive, resilient, and innovative in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

Background:

Jennifer Hayes began her career at the CDC in 2017 as a commissioner and was subsequently appointed president in 2021.  She was the first woman to hold this position.

Hayes is a third-generation dairy and beef farmer and co-owner, with her father and uncle, of PineCrest Farms in Shigawake, Quebec, her hometown. She has always been involved in agriculture.

A mother of two, she holds a graduate diploma in business management from Concordia University and is a revitalization officer for the Bonaventure Regional County Municipality (RCM).

She has been heavily involved in rural development initiatives in her region, particularly by actively participating in community development projects and the implementation of economic and social development plans. In partnership with her husband, she also launched the Rural Project to help advance the development of rural communities in Quebec.

Hayes has worked with the Union des producteurs agricoles, where she advocated for the development of various sectors (dairy, beef, and agriculture).

In addition, she is the president of the Hayes Scholarship for Continuing Education, a charity that raises funds for young people in the region for their post-secondary studies.

The Canadian Dairy Commission:

The CDC constitutes a highly important industry for Canada. More specifically, it is a Crown corporation that was created in 1966 and reports to Parliament through the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

The CDC also plays a key role in setting marketing regulations, particularly through price setting. For consumers, it ensures quality dairy products and a stable supply.

In Quebec and Ontario, the dairy industry represents 81% of the market. Throughout Canada, there are more than 10,300 dairy farms with a total of approximately 970,000 cows.