Sollio Taps New Leaders to Steer Ag Co-op's Strategic Growth

MONTRÉAL, QC – February 27, 2026 – Sollio Cooperative Group, Canada’s largest agricultural cooperative, has solidified its leadership for the coming year, appointing seasoned directors and welcoming new strategic expertise to its board. Following its 104th annual general meeting, the board re-elected Richard Ferland as Chair and named David Mercier and Sophie Gendron as Vice-Chairs, signaling a blend of continuity and renewal as the $8.4 billion enterprise navigates a period of significant opportunity and challenge in the Canadian agricultural sector.

The most notable changes include the appointment of two new directors: Jean-François Roy, a veteran pork producer with deep roots in the cooperative system, and Robert Dumas, the President and CEO of Sun Life Québec and a recognized expert in the financial industry. These appointments come as Sollio builds on a strong financial rebound and aims to fortify its strategic direction in an increasingly complex global market.

Blending Deep Roots with New Expertise

The addition of Jean-François Roy and Robert Dumas to the board reflects a deliberate strategy to deepen both its agricultural and financial acumen. Roy, who sits on the board of Vivaco Groupe Coopératif, is not just an experienced administrator but an active pork producer. His appointment to complete the term of the resigning Marc-André Roy brings critical, hands-on knowledge of a sector that is central to Sollio’s operations, particularly its Olymel division. Olymel recently underwent significant restructuring, including scaling back some pork production and closing plants in 2023 to navigate market pressures. Roy's role as the current chair of the Cooperative Pork Network and his two decades of work supporting the next generation of farmers provide the board with an invaluable ground-level perspective.

In a move that diversifies the board’s skill set beyond agriculture, the appointment of Robert Dumas as a guest director introduces elite financial and risk management expertise. As a trained actuary with over 35 years of experience, primarily from his time developing the retirement and finance industries at Mercer Canada, Dumas brings a powerful strategic lens. His leadership at Sun Life Québec, where he has driven significant growth and digital innovation, offers a perspective often sought but not always found in the boardrooms of agricultural cooperatives. This appointment is particularly timely as the Canadian agri-food sector grapples with securing growth capital to scale its operations and compete globally.

Steering Through a Shifting Agricultural Landscape

The new board takes the helm as Sollio is on an upward trajectory. The cooperative reported a strong 2025 fiscal year, with earnings before patronage refunds and income taxes reaching $211.9 million, a significant recovery from losses experienced in 2022. This turnaround has enabled the group to pledge a $75 million return to its members in dividends and share redemptions, a clear signal of renewed financial health and commitment to its cooperative principles.

However, the broader industry faces headwinds. A recent RBC report highlighted a critical gap in growth funding for Canadian agri-food, noting that the sector needs a substantial increase in investment to realize its full potential. The presence of a financial heavyweight like Robert Dumas on Sollio’s board could be instrumental in navigating this landscape, potentially unlocking new strategies for investment, risk mitigation, and long-term financial resilience.

Furthermore, the board will be tasked with advancing Sollio’s ambitious sustainability agenda. The cooperative has committed to aligning with six UN Sustainable Development Goals and aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. This requires not only operational changes but also strategic investments in research and technology, areas where a diverse and forward-thinking board will be crucial for success.

Cooperative Governance and Continuity

While welcoming new faces, the AGM also reinforced stability within the cooperative's democratic governance structure. The re-election of Richard Ferland, a dairy and maple syrup producer, as Chair ensures experienced leadership remains at the core of the 17-member board. The renewal of terms for four other directors further underscores a strategy that balances fresh perspectives with institutional knowledge.

Sollio’s board is structured to reflect its vast and varied membership of over 110,000 farmers and consumers. Directors are elected from distinct agricultural districts, with dedicated positions for equity and special interests, ensuring that producers from dairy, poultry, pork, and field crop sectors have a voice. The board has also made strides in gender diversity, with six women directors helping it surpass its 30% female representation target for 2025.

In his remarks at the meeting, Chair Richard Ferland acknowledged the contributions of the departing directors. "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I'd like to extend my warmest thanks to our outgoing directors Marc-André Roy and François R. Roy for their commitment and dedication to Sollio Cooperative Group and the network," he stated, marking a respectful transition of leadership.

With its refreshed board, Sollio Cooperative Group appears well-equipped to build on its century-long legacy. The combination of seasoned agricultural leaders and high-caliber external experts positions the cooperative to not only drive prosperity for its farming families but also to solidify its role as a powerful force for economic and social development in rural communities across Canada. The decisions made by this new board will undoubtedly shape the future of the cooperative and have ripple effects across the national food supply chain for years to come.