Jennifer Hayes appointed for second term as the Chairperson of the Canadian Dairy Commission

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Jennifer Hayes has been re-appointed as Chairperson of the Canadian Dairy Commission by Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Hayes will serve another four-year term, beginning on December 23, 2025.

She first joined the Canadian Dairy Commission in the role of Commissioner in 2017 and was appointed as Chairperson for the Canadian Dairy Commission in December 2021. She is the first woman to hold the position.

Hayes is a third-generation beef and dairy farmer at PineCrest Farms in Shigawake, Quebec. She co-owns the farm with her father and uncle and holds an MBA from Concordia University. She is actively engaged in rural development initiatives within her region and gained governance experience through her work with L’Union des Producteurs Agricoles, which defends regional interests in dairy, beef and agricultural development.

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When she was a Revitalization Agent at the MRC (regional municipality) of Bonaventure, she assisted rural municipalities in formalizing social and economic action plans. In partnership with her husband, she launched Project Rural, which advances the development of rural communities in Quebec.

Hayes is a lifelong community volunteer, and the Chair of the Hayes Bursary Fund for Continuing Education, which provides bursaries and encouragement to local youth to pursue post-secondary studies. Hayes has two young daughters and nieces and nephews who inspire her to defend the farming community and rural life for future generations.

In a press release, MacDonald said Hayes has proven expertise and commitment to both the agricultural sector, which will be vital as Canada works to keep the domestic dairy industry competitive, resilient and innovative in a changing landscape.

In 2024, Canada’s dairy sector comprised over 9,200 farms and supported about 45,000 jobs. The Canadian Dairy Commission Board of Directors includes the Chairperson, Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer.

About the author

Alexis Kienlen is a reporter with Glacier Farm Media. She grew up in Saskatoon but now lives in Edmonton. She holds an Honours degree in International Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Concordia University, and a Food Security certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University. In addition to being a journalist, Alexis is also a poet, essayist and fiction writer. She is the author of four books- the most recent being a novel about the BSE crisis called “Mad Cow.”