Sowing Security: The Agri-Food Sector and Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy

Virginia Mulligan is Director of Agriculture and Food Innovation, where she designs and delivers strategic programs that support innovation and sustainability in Alberta’s agriculture sector, with additional experience in forestry and energy. She has been involved in developing and delivering initiatives that surface promising technologies and turn ideas into practical tools for end users. Her work supports a diverse portfolio of projects focused on improving resource efficiency, strengthening on-farm practices, and enabling more informed decision-making across the sector. Virginia works closely with industry, academia, and government partners to ensure this work is well informed, collaborative, and responsive to evolving needs. She brings a practical, systems-level perspective on the role of innovation in advancing sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. 

Sharif led various research programs, training initiatives and agri-food research centres owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and operated by U of G, including those at the Ridgetown Campus. He also oversaw the Laboratory Services Division and fostered relationships with a range of public- and private-sector partners.

Sharif is a professor of immunology whose research focuses on poultry diseases, such as avian influenza. He is dedicated to developing innovative vaccines to control these infections. Additionally, in the past, he led the Poultry Health Research Network, collaborating with experts from academia, government and industry. More recently, he was instrumental in establishing a translational health initiative at the University, bridging veterinary and human health research to translate laboratory discoveries into treatments for both animals and humans.

As Senior Director of Government Relations and Farm Policy at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Brodie Berrigan plays a key role in coordinating the organization’s policy development and government relations, with leadership on files including risk management, food security, labour, trade and transportation. 

Prior to joining the CFA, he spent many years working for the Government of Canada across several departments, including Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Privy Council Office, and Employment and Social Development Canada. 

Mr. Berrigan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of Ottawa, a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University, and a diploma in Business – Agriculture from Algonquin College. 

Dana Dickerson is Director of Market Development and Sustainability at Grain Farmers of Ontario. Working on behalf of 28,000 farmers who grow barley, corn, oats, wheat, and soybeans, Dana focuses on strengthening existing markets and creating new demand across food, feed, fuel, beverage, and bioproduct sectors. She works closely with farmers, processors and governments to encourage value‑added processing innovation in Ontario, grow grain exports, and support farmer and customer sustainability.

Ian Affleck, is the vice-president of plant biotechnology for CropLife Canada. In this role, Affleck works with domestic and international agricultural stakeholders and governments on the development of policies, regulations, and science related to plant biotechnology. Prior to joining CropLife Canada, Affleck worked at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for 10 years. His work there focused on the regulation of novel plants and new varieties. Affleck holds a B Sc from Nova Scotia Agricultural College and a Masters from the University of Guelph. Affleck has been involved in agriculture from an early age, having grown up on a potato farm in Bedeque, PEI.

Bill Whelan is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Atlantic Veterinary College. He was a Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Optics at UPEI and chair of the Department of Physics. His research has focused on the development of optical sensors, photoacoustic imaging and laser therapies for the detection and treatment of cancers.

Bill is co-chair of the PEI Education Minister’s Advisory Council on Lifelong Learning, and he is a former president of the Canadian Association of Physicists. He has served as president of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and as a director on the national CCS board. He was co-chair of the PEI Education Governance Commission established to review and recommend improvements to the province’s education system.

Bill is also actively involved in science promotion, including as co-chair of the PEI Science Fair since 2008 and co-chair of the Canada-Wide Science Fair in 2012. He is a founding director of STEAM PEI, a non-profit organization delivering school-based and community programs for youth to explore STEM fields with the Arts.