Centre Wellington resident and Ward 5 Wellington County councillor Rob Black has been named to the Senate of Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Feb. 15 that Black is one of two independent senators appointed by Governor General Julie Payette to fill Senate vacancies.
“I’m humbled. I’m honoured by being selected by the prime minister and appointed by the governor general,” said Black in a telephone interview with the Advertiser from his ROI office on Feb. 16.
Also appointed was Martha Deacon, another Ontario resident who has dedicated her life to education and sport.
“I am delighted to welcome these accomplished Ontarians to the Senate,” Trudeau stated in announcing the appointments.
“I am confident that Parliament will benefit from Ms. Deacon and Mr. Black’s knowledge and experience, and that they will be great ambassadors for their region and communities.”
Black has served as CEO of the ROI (Rural Ontario Institute) since 2010 and has sat on Wellington County council since 2014. He currently chairs the county’s information, heritage and seniors committee and is a member of the social services committee.
Black has worked in positions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He also served as 4-H Ontario’s first executive director, general manager of the Ontario Soybean Growers and the executive director of the Centre for Rural Leadership.
He’s been involved with the 4-H youth organization for over 40 years, serving as a member, leader, board member, trustee, president, and staff member at the provincial and national levels.
Black has also served and volunteered in other community and provincial organizations, including the Wellington County Historical Society, Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University, and is a member of the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership, which recognized his work at the ROI by awarding him the Outstanding Leadership Program Director award in 2013.
Black and his wife Julie have four grown children: Kristen, Michael, Tayler and Adam.
Deacon and Black were chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians. Officials say the process ensures senators are independent, reflect Canada’s diversity and can tackle a broad range of challenges and opportunities.
Black said he applied though the new process to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments about 18 months ago and had been contacted several times “so I knew it was still in the hopper.
“Last Friday I had a call saying, ‘We’d like to set up a call with you to just talk about next steps on Monday,’” he explained.
“So, on Monday afternoon, I had a call from the prime minister’s office and they put the prime minister on the line … and that was it. That’s how I heard.”
He added, “The prime minister was clear in our conversation on Monday that he expects me to make a significant contribution with my skill sets, which are agriculture and rural and youth engagement through 4-H and leadership in rural. So that’s where I intend to play a role if I can.”
Black said the appointment means he will have to give up his position on county council and as CAO of the ROI.
“That was bittersweet for me – unfortunate that I couldn’t finish out my first term, but obviously it’s all good, right?” Black said.
“I really enjoyed my time and my involvement on the county and the committees that I was involved in and so, it was a tough letter to write this morning.”
Although he was officially a senator as of 2pm on Feb. 15, Black said he anticipates being sworn in sometime next week. The appointment is effective until the mandatory retirement age of 75.
He said he plans to find a second residence in Ottawa and commute back to Centre Wellington on weekends or when the Senate isn’t sitting.
Black said he is looking forward to “the opportunity to meet with Canadians across the country to look at issues, broader issues, Indigenous issues, youth, the rights of women, homelessness, poverty … issues that I believe senators get involved in and give thought to of a broader nature.”
Congratulations to the new senators were issued by numerous officials following the announcement on Feb. 15.
“The Senate plays a valuable role as a chamber of sober second thought,” stated Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne in a press release.
“I wish Ontario’s appointees well, and I am confident that the best interests of Ontario will be represented in the Senate.”
“We’re all very proud that Wellington County councillor Rob Black has been appointed to the Senate,” said Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong in a Feb. 16 phone interview.
“Wellington County will now have two MPs and a senator on Parliament Hill, ensuring that rural voices will be heard. I’m glad I was able to support his nomination. In the summer of 2016, I wrote a letter in support of his nomination indicating as fewer and fewer Canadians live on farms, it becomes more important than ever to appoint people with agricultural backgrounds to the Senate, ensuring that rural Canada’s voice is heard.
“I’m glad the government took my advice into consideration and I’m happy that he’s been appointed by the governor general to the Senate.”
ROI board chair Suzanne Trivers said, “This appointment is bittersweet for our organization as we will miss his leadership.
“We thank Rob for his many years of dedication and passion to the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) preceding the formation of the Rural Ontario Institute and especially for his guidance and stewardship since then. The success of the Institute is certainly a reflection of his abilities and we share his enthusiasm that he will have the opportunity to draw on those abilities in his service to the country.”
In a Feb. 16 statement Wellington County Warden Dennis Lever said, “On behalf of Wellington County council and staff, I would like to congratulate Rob on this tremendous accomplishment.
“Rob’s hard work and commitment to Wellington County have made a big impact on our communities, and I am certain he will continue to represent us well in the Senate. He is very deserving of this appointment.”
The statement indicated that because he is now a senator, Black’s seat as Ward 5 Wellington County councillor is now vacant.
It will be filled by appointment and the county is seeking applicants.
Black becomes the fifth Canadian senator from Wellington County, but the first since 1951.
His predecessors were Adam J. Fergusson Blair, son of the founder of Fergus (in 1867); James McMullen of Mount Forest (1902 to 1913); Robert Watson, who grew up in Elora before moving to Manitoba (1900 to 1929); and Robert W. Gladstone of Guelph (1949 to 1951).
– With files from Olivia Rutt
