Senate of Canada
Senator
The Honourable Rob Black has dedicated much of his career to agriculture, rural affairs, and leadership. Deeply involved with 4-H Canada, 4-H Ontario, Junior Farmers, and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), he credits these organizations with shaping his path to the Senate. He is a past president of the Canadian 4-H Council.
Rob served as Ward 5 Representative on Wellington County Council, and held roles such as Manager of the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund and President of both the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Wellington County Historical Society. He spent 15 years at OMAFRA, followed by roles as Executive Director of 4-H Ontario and later the Rural Ontario Institute.
In recognition of his leadership, Rob received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the IAPAL Leadership Program Director Award (2013), and was named Honourary Member of the Canadian 4-H Council (2016) and the Canadian Society of Soil Science (2024).
Appointed to the Senate in 2018 to represent Ontario, he brings expertise in agriculture and rural development. He chairs the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and previously led the Canadian Senators Group (2019–2023). His contributions earned him titles such as 2021 Produce Champion and 2023 Hal Rogers Fellow. Rob and his wife Julie live near Fergus, ON, and have four children and three grandsons.