One farmer invited the minister to his farm; another advised the minister to work with producers
Canadian farmers are communicating well wishes, invitations, and ideas to new Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald.
Multiple members of the industry responded to a social media post from MacDonald expressing his readiness to get to work with the sector.
Rob Stone, a farmer and director with the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, extended an invitation to the new minister.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with both your predecessors Minister MacAul(a)y and Blois in our community of Davidson SK,” he wrote on X. “I would be delighted to take the opportunity to show you around our farm at the earliest chance you have to get out this way.”
Alberta producer John Kowalchuck noted that Canada’s ag industry is varied, and the minister’s portfolio will reflect that.
“This cabinet position is very diverse Minister MacDonald and you represent a large range of Crop and livestock producers as well as those who help along the Ag food chain across Canada,” he said on X. “Please work FOR them and WITH them to make an impact for the better.”
Lauren Comin, the director of policy for Seeds Canada, also weighed in.
Canada’s seed industry has immense potential, but it’ll need support from the minister, she said.
“Congratulations, and welcome to the dynamic agriculture industry,” she said on X. “Our sector needs your support in modernizing and right-sizing regulation to unleash our potential to innovate and contribute to (Canada’s) productivity.”
Following the minister’s appointment, Farms.com polled X users about it, and the decision to replace Kody Blois as ag minister.
Farms.com asked FarmsPrairies and OntAg followers the following question:
What is your reaction to Heath MacDonald replacing Kody Blois as Minister of Agriculture?
The response options are good choice, bad choice, or take a wait and see approach.
Early results show that on the FarmsPrairies account, bad choice and wait and see tied with 47.8 per cent of the vote each. Only 4.5 per cent of users think it’s a good move.
OntAg users voted 69.2 percent to take a wait and see approach. Another 28.8 per cent of users think MacDonald is a bad choice, while 1.9 per cent think it’s the right decision.
The polls will be up for the next six days, and Farms.com will report on the final results.