Former Ag Minister Will Be Remembered for His Contributions to Agriculture
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
John Wise, former federal Minister of Agriculture and dairy farmer was remembered on Monday for the contributions that he has made to Canadian agriculture.
Wise was a fifth-generation dairy farmer prior to his run for politics and was an advocate for supply management while helping to introduce his government’s free trade policies.
Wise first began his career in politics as a local politician and served as a Township Councillor and Deputy Reeve of Yarmouth from 1966 to 1967. He also served as the Warden of Elgin County in 1969. Wise dove into Federal politics when he ran in the 1972 general election in the riding of Elgin, where he defeated Liberal incumbent MP Harold Stafford. Wise was re-elected four times before he retired in 1998 after serving in opposition and the government – he served as the minister of agriculture under Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney.
Wise was heavily involved in his community and served on a number of agricultural boards such as serving as Chairman of the Board for the Canadian Livestock Exporters Association and Canadian Embryo Exporters Association, and was the honorary founder and President of the Soil Conservation Canada.
Wise died on January 9, 2013 at the age of 77 in London, Ontario.
Funeral service details:
A funeral service is set for 1 p.m. Monday at Knox Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas. Visitation at the church begins at 11 a.m. Monday.