Georges Chaussé and Senator Rob Black are the recipients of the 2026 Seeds Canada Award of Excellence, recognizing decades of leadership and lasting impact.

The seed sector spends a lot of time talking about the future — new breeding technologies, regulatory modernization, market access and innovation. But at this year’s Seeds Canada conference, the spotlight shifted to the people who helped build the foundation that makes those conversations possible.

Seeds Canada presented its 2026 Award of Excellence to two individuals whose combined careers span nearly a century: retired seed industry executive Georges Chaussé and Senator Rob Black.

The award, first given out in 2025, recognizes outstanding contributions to the Canadian or international seed sector, with nominees evaluated on leadership, innovation and lasting impact.

While their careers took very different paths, one through the private seed business and industry governance, the other through public service and politics, both recipients shared a common theme: building institutions that outlast individuals.

The Quiet Architect Behind Seeds Canada

For many in the room, Georges Chaussé’s greatest accomplishment wasn’t tied to a single company. It was helping create the organization presenting the award.

Introducing the recognition, his friend Blake Ashton described Chaussé as “a builder, a collaborator, and an outstanding servant to our industry,” noting that his nearly 40-year career was defined by steady leadership rather than headlines.

Chaussé began his career as a crop input sales advisor in Quebec before becoming director of seed services with Sollio Agriculture. Along the way, he helped build the Elite Seeds brand across Quebec and Atlantic Canada before playing a central role in its joint venture with Maizex Seeds.

But his influence extended well beyond commercial success.

As president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, Chaussé helped guide the industry through the complex Seed Synergy Collaboration Project — the multi-year effort that ultimately brought four national organizations together to form Seeds Canada.

“When that process got difficult — and it did — Georges remained steady, optimistic and always focused on the bigger picture,” Ashton said. “The industry’s common interests outweighed any differences.”

Chaussé later became one of the founding members of the Seeds Canada board. Ashton suggested the moment carried particular significance.

“Without his efforts, Seeds Canada itself might not exist.”

Unable to attend the ceremony after retiring earlier this year, Chaussé sent a message that Ashton shared with delegates.

“I’m deeply moved by this wonderful tribute and sincerely grateful that Seeds Canada is honouring my career and recognizing my contribution in this meaningful way,” he wrote. “Looking back at my career, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had and the amazing people that I’ve worked with. Thank you for this generous recognition. This means the world to me.”

Bringing the Seed Sector to Parliament

If Chaussé helped build the industry’s home, Senator Rob Black has spent years making sure its voice is heard in Ottawa.

Presenting the award, Seeds Canada Past-President Ellen Sparry described Black as someone who doesn’t simply work in agriculture.

“There are people who work in agriculture, and then there are people who live it,” Sparry said. “The Honourable Rob Black is the latter.”

Before his appointment to the Senate in 2018, Black held leadership roles with Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 4-H Ontario and Canada, the Rural Ontario Institute and several leadership development organizations.

In the Senate, he has become one of the seed sector’s most consistent advocates, using his position on the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to champion science-based regulation, modern plant breeding technologies and policies that improve Canadian producers’ access to new genetics.

Sparry said Black has also played an important role connecting seed innovation with broader conversations around soil health, environmental stewardship and rural development.

Perhaps most importantly, she said, Black has become an effective bridge between farmers, industry leaders and government.

“He can walk into a room of farmers, a boardroom or a Senate committee and speak credibly to all of them,” Sparry said. “He has built and strengthened relationships between government, industry and farm communities in ways that genuinely move the needle.”

Accepting the award, Black said the recognition belonged as much to the people working throughout the seed value chain as it did to him.

“The Canadian seed sector is filled with passionate people who care deeply about innovation, stewardship and helping agriculture thrive,” he said. “It has been my privilege to be part of this community and to contribute in a small way.”

Black also acknowledged fellow agriculture senators Mary Robinson and Todd Lewis while emphasizing that effective advocacy depends on staying connected to the sector.

“I always tell folks I can’t stand up in the chamber if I don’t know the issues,” he said. “Don’t hesitate to let me know your concerns, your insights and your perspectives.”

He closed with a promise familiar to many in the room.

“I look forward to continuing to advocate on your behalf in the Senate chamber.”