| Statement February 15, 2018 Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne released the following statement on the selection of appointees to represent Ontario in the Senate: "Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will recommend to the Governor General two new Senators to represent Ontario. On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I want to congratulate Martha Deacon and Rob Black on their appointments. Martha Deacon is a committed leader in the areas of education and sport. Currently a Director on the Canadian Olympic Committee and for Commonwealth Games Canada, she spent over 30 years as a career educator in diverse roles spanning from the classroom to the school board, and as an instructor at two faculties of education. A strong believer in the value of sport, she has coached badminton for Canada at multiple international events and was named Canada's Chef de Mission for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. Her lifetime of commitment to making a difference in the lives of Ontario's children and youth has been recognized by many awards and accolades, including the Women of Distinction and Lifetime Achievement Award (YWCA) Waterloo Region, the International Olympic Committee Education and Youth Award, the Jules Nisse "Playground to Podium" award and an induction into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame. Robert Black has been serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Ontario Institute since 2010, and as a councillor on the Wellington County Council since being elected in 2014. As a long-time resident of Wellington County, he is a strong supporter of Ontario's rural communities. His career path reflects his commitment -- he worked for 15 years as a member of the Ontario Public Service, primarily with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. With over 40 years of dedicated service to the 4-H youth organization, he became 4-H Ontario's first Executive Director. His dedication has also led him to serve and volunteer with other community and provincial organizations, including the Wellington County Historical Society, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. The Senate plays a valuable role as a chamber of sober second thought. I wish Ontario's appointees well, and I am confident that the best interests of Ontario will be represented in the Senate." |
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