Senator Black’s Year in Review: Agvocating in 2022

Rob Black, Senator for Ontario, spent the past year advocating for agricultural and rural communities inside and outside of the Red Chamber

In Ottawa, Black highlighted challenges and opportunities facing rural and agricultural communities through his interventions in the Senate Chamber after connecting with countless organizations in his East Block office.

As Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, he also oversaw 29 meetings where the committee heard from 115 witnesses on topics relating to legislation and special studies.

“I am hopeful that we will see increased support from all levels of government and the public as agriculture works to feed not only Canadians, but the entire world” 

These special studies included a look at the impacts of the B.C. floods and the start of the long-awaited new soil health study, which Senator Black originally proposed in 2019.

Off the Hill, he spoke at meetings of Soil and Crop Associations and Federations of Agriculture, attended a variety of industry showcases and summits, and travelled across Canada to connect with community leaders and to Scotland to attend the World Congress of Soil Science. Senator Black took these opportunities to learn more about various issues facing the industry, such as labour strategies, red-tape regulations, food security, the role of soil health in the context of climate change, and more.

“Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industries faced increased pressure in 2022 related to supply chain concerns and rising prices as well as other compounding factors, such as climate change and geopolitical tensions,” said Black. “I was proud to see our agricultural communities rally together to support each other and our food supply chain. At the outset of 2023, I am hopeful that we will see increased support from all levels of government and the public as agriculture works to feed not only Canadians, but the entire world.”

Although agriculture is one of Canada’s oldest and most important industries, it is often not prioritized in policy-building. Black is looking forward to continuing his efforts to support agricultural and rural communities in 2023, both in the Red Chamber and off Parliament Hill.