John Barlow returns as Conservative Agriculture Critic

Nov 09, 2021

Erin O’Toole announced his shadow cabinet Tuesday

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A familiar Conservative Member of Parliament is back as the party’s agriculture critic.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole selected John Barlow, the Alberta MP for Foothills, to present the party’s views opposite Liberal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau.

Barlow first held the ag critic position under former Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer in 2019.

In September 2020, O’Toole appointed Lianne Rood as the party’s ag critic. Rood will now serve as the shadow minister for rural economic development & broadband strategy to counter Liberal Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings.

Barlow voted on 181 issues during the second session of the 43^rd Parliament, which ran from Sept. 23, 2020 to Aug. 15, 2021.

He cast 50 votes against items and 131 votes in favour.

He voted in support of two bills designed to benefit Canadian ag.

Barlow supported Bill C-208, which amended the Income Tax Act, to “establish uniform tax treatment” for the sale of a farm or fishing operation whether it’s sold to a family member or not.

He also voted in favour of Bill C-206, which would’ve exempted propane and natural gas from the federal carbon tax.

He voted against Bill C-10, which aimed to amend the Broadcasting Act. Conservatives argued the bill would provide the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) authority to control online content.

The Bloc Québécois also announced its shadow cabinet.

Leader Yves-François unveiled his portfolio critics on Oct. 5.

Yves Perron, the MP for Berthier – Maskinongé will serve as the party’s ag critic again.

Yves Perron.

Like Barlow, Perron voted against Bill C-10 and in favour of Bills C-208 and C-206.

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, the MP for Saint-Hyacinthe – Bagot, will be the party’s international trade critic.

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