Black finds improved path for upper chamber’s approach to food and farming policy and awareness in Canada
The chair of Canada’s Senate agriculture committee has an important message for grain farmers, ranchers and stakeholders in the Canadian agriculture industry.
Talk to us, says Rob Black.
He wants to know what’s working in the ag industry, and what’s not. And most importantly, keep in touch.
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“Keep an eye on the work that the senate ag committee is doing,” Black said during a recent tour through Saskatchewan.
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“I think we can do some good stuff … (so) keep us in the loop. If you think we should know about it, send us an email. Pick up the phone because if we don’t know about it, we can’t ask questions… we can’t send that letter to the prime minister and ask what’s going on….”
Black, who was appointed to the Senate in 2018, has spent most of his career in jobs related to agriculture, rural affairs and rural development.
He spent 15 years working in ag extension with Ontario’s provincial agriculture department, then spent six years managing the Ontario 4-H program.
After that, he worked with the province’s soybean growers before taking a position with the Rural Ontario Institute, an organization dedicated to rural advocacy and the development of rural leaders.
He was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2018.
Black said he is proud that agricultural issues are now discussed regularly at the Senate level.
“I’ve been delighted to see the increase in my colleagues speaking up about agriculture,” said Black.
“In the early days, no one was talking about agriculture. So I’m delighted to hear more questions and more comments (about the industry).”
Black said today’s Senate can play an important non-partisan role in ensuring that new federal bills are developed thoughtfully and scrutinized before becoming law.
He said members in the Senate ag committee take pride in the fact that their work can have a positive impact on public policy.
Outside organizations and lobbyists, particularly those with connections in the ag sector, now recognize that the Senate can play a more meaningful role in shaping policy.
“I think organizations are seeing value in talking with (Senate groups),” Black said.
“I think … the Senate can push back, and ask questions and raise issues …,” he said.
“And I think in this new realm of independent Senate processes, we are asking more of those questions.”
During a recent visit to The Western Producer, Black said primary producers in Canada face several challenges — ranging from labour shortages and supply chain constraints to rising input costs and industry regulations that put Canadian producers at a competitive disadvantage to their counterparts abroad.
“I think Canada has to level the playing field,” he said, when asked about Canada’s regulatory environment.
He also acknowledged that many producers are not particularly pleased with the direction that public policy has taken in Canada over the past few years.
Canadian farmers have done a commendable job in reducing the industry’s environmental footprint, he said. And they continue to embrace new technologies and more sustainable production practices that align with federal priorities aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
But there is more work to be done, he added. And producers deserve to be recognized for their past contributions.
This year, the Senate committee on agriculture and forestry plans to continue its work on examining the state of Canada’s soils.
The Senate study on soil health will continue through 2023, seeking information and input from soil experts, researchers, agriculture advocates and, of course, land managers and farmers.
One purpose of the study is to learn more about the state of Canada’s soils and the factors impacting its productive capacity.
The exercise will culminate in a Senate report, expected in 2024. The last time the Senate completed a comprehensive study on soil health was back in 1984.
“I expect we’ll look at soil health from a variety of perspectives, including climate change, food security and maybe land-use planning…,” said Black.
“The study might be done in a year and half or whatever but I anticipate there’ll be a lot of talk about it after that.
“I hope that this report, when it’s finished, will resonate with all Canadians because it doesn’t matter whether it’s your farm, or your backyard, or my garden, soil health is important (to everyone).”
Black said the last Senate report on soils, entitled Soil at Risk: Canada’s Eroding Future, remains the most requested Senate report ever.
“I remember using that report as a text in university,” he said.
“But its out of date and it needs to be redone.
“So if you think you know somebody that should be a witness, let us know.”
Black can be reached by email at robert.black@sen.parl.gc.ca.
