Alistair MacGregor no longer federal NDP agriculture critic

Sep 18, 2024
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Richard Cannings will step into the position

The federal NDP has a new agriculture critic.

Richard Cannings, the MP for South Okanagan – West Kootenay, is stepping into the role after Alistair MacGregor, the MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, is moving onto different responsibilities.

Alistair MacGregor

“Big news today, as I have accepted new committee responsibilities,” MacGregor said on X on Sept. 16. “I’m now a member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights AND the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. I look forward to tackling both of these critical files.

“I am no longer a member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food, but it is in the good hands of my colleague (Richard Cannings). “I will sincerely miss the six and a half years I spent as the Agriculture Critic - #CdnAg will always be near and dear to my heart.”

Cannings advocated on behalf of local farmers earlier this year.

Richard Cannings

In February, he urged the Liberal government to provide support for grape and fruit farmers following another difficult year brought on by wildfires and other weather challenges.

“January’s extreme cold snap caused widespread damage to grape and fruit crops for the second year in a row,” he said in February, the Times-Chronicle reported. “Some grape growers have experienced 100 per cent loss of their vines. On top of that, smoke taint from now-annual forest fires continues to affect many vineyards.

“Without government help to replant their vines many wineries will be forced to close.”

Video: Home Grown Ontario Tulips

Ontario’s flower sector is blooming ??

With more than $1 billion in farmgate sales and over $650 million in annual exports—much of it centred in the Niagara region—Ontario growers are a major force in Canada’s floriculture industry. In fact, the province produces roughly 50% of all flowers grown in the country, serving a market of over 100 million consumers within a one-day drive.

It’s a powerful example of how strategic location, cross-border access, and strong production capacity come together to support both local agriculture and global markets ??

?? Watch as Andrew Morse, Executive Director of Flowers Canada, shares insights and the full story behind Ontario’s tulip industry and its thriving flower sector.