Senator Rob Black of Ontario has proposed that the Senate’s agriculture committee lead a comprehensive study on soil health.
He is asking Canadians, especially those with an interest in soil, to send an email to the committee or members of the committee before it selects its priorities for the next session of Parliament.
The letter should explain why they support such a study and why soil health is important to them.
It can be sent to the general email address for the committee at agfo@sen.parl.gc.ca or to a specific member of the committee. A list of committee members can be found at sencanada.ca/en/committees/agfo/.
Black has focused on soil and soil health since joining the Senate in 2018.
Senator Herbert Sparrow released a report in 1984 titled “Soil at Risk: Canada’s eroding future,” and Black believes the Senate should update it to understand the state of soils in Canada and what can be done to improve soil health.
He said the world has changed since 1984, and such a study would allow the Senate to look at soil and its role in food security, water quality, carbon markets and climate change.
He is asking Canadians to send their letters of support as soon as possible.
