Saskatchewan Senator Todd Lewis, a longtime local volunteer and respected leader in the province’s agriculture sector, has died at the age of 65.

Lewis was appointed to the Senate by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Feb. 7, 2025, and was serving as deputy liaison for the Canadian Senators Group.

The following story was written by David Zammit with SwiftCurrentonline.

A lifetime in agriculture and public service

Lewis farmed near Gray, Sask., where he was the fourth generation to work his family’s farm.

He served as president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan from 2016 to 2022 before becoming second vice-president, and later first vice-president, of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. He also spent more than 20 years on the RM of Lajord council.

Swift Current-Grasslands-Kindersley MP Jeremy Patzer said he was saddened by Lewis’ passing and praised his decades of service.

“He was a strong advocate for Saskatchewan and Canada’s agriculture sector. His knowledge and experience in the Senate will be missed,” Patzer said. “On behalf of the Saskatchewan Conservative caucus, our thoughts and prayers are with the Lewis family.”

Tributes from Ottawa

Prime Minister Mark Carney also paid tribute Saturday night, describing Lewis as “a strong and steadfast voice for rural communities.”

“Senator Lewis understood that farming is more than a livelihood – it is a responsibility to the land, to one’s neighbours, and to the generations that follow,” Carney said. “He carried that conviction from his family farm in Gray, Saskatchewan, into a distinguished career of advocacy that made him one of Canadian agriculture’s most trusted voices.”

Carney extended his condolences to Lewis’ family, friends, colleagues and all those whose lives he touched.

“Canada has lost a dedicated public servant and a powerful voice for our farmers,” Carney said. “He will be deeply missed.”