SEPTEMBER 2026  SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA   17
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 con­
ference in Saskatoon, Sask., the spotlight 
shifted to the people who helped build 
the foundation that makes those conver­
sations possible.
Seeds Canada presented its 2026 
Award of Excellence to two people whose 
combined careers span nearly a century: 
retired seed industry executive Georges 
Chaussé and Senator Rob Black.
A Quiet Architect Behind Seeds Canada
For many in the room, 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 
THE RED CARPET
ONE HELPED 
BUILD SEEDS 
CANADA. THE 
OTHER TOOK 
THE SEED 
SECTOR TO 
PARLIAMENT
Georges Chaussé and 
Senator Rob Black are the 
recipients of the 2026 Seeds 
Canada Award of Excellence, 
recognizing decades of 
leadership and lasting impact.
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 indus­
try’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, saying he was “deeply moved 
by this wonderful tribute and sincerely 
grateful that Seeds Canada is honouring 
my career and recognizing my contribu­
tion in this meaningful way.”
Bringing the Seed Sector to Parliament
Senator Rob Black has spent years 
making sure the seed sector’s 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 agri­
culture, and then there are people who 
live it,” Sparry said. “The Honourable 
Rob Black is the latter.”
In the Senate, he has become one of 
the seed sector’s most consistent advo­
cates, using his position on the Standing 
Senate Committee on Agriculture and 
Forestry to champion science-based regu­
lation, modern plant breeding technolo­
gies and policies that improve Canadian 
producers’ access to new genetics.
Accepting the award, Black said the 
recognition belonged as much to the 
people working throughout the seed 
value chain as it did to him.
“It has been my privilege to be part of 
[the seed community] and to contribute 
in a small way,” he told attendees. 
Georges Chaussé (left) and Senator Rob Black have been honoured with the 
Seeds Canada Award of Excellence.

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.