Paul Vickers and Bill Rosenberg named parliamentary assistants to Ont. ag minister

Apr 11, 2025
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Vickers represents Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

Two MPPs have new roles at Queen’s Park.

“I am excited to have been named Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness,” Paul Vickers said on X on April 7.

Joining him in this role is Bill Rosenberg, the MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin. Rosenberg is also the parliamentary assistant to the president of the treasury board, Caroline Mulroney.

“Proud to be part of Premier Ford’s team,” Rosenberg said on Facebook. “It is an honour to work alongside these ministers.”

Vickers and Rosenberg
Top: Paul Vickers. Bottom: Bill Rosenberg.

As a parliamentary assistants, Vickers and Rosenberg will support Minister Trevor Jones in the legislature with committee matters, special projects and other assignments. In addition, he will help communicate government initiatives across Ontario.

Vickers is no stranger to agriculture in Ontario.

He currently raises cash crops and dairy cattle in Meaford, and spent 15 years as a board director of Gay Lea Foods. He’s also a former director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and participated in the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program as a member of Class 14 in 2011.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is ready to collaborate with the new assistants.

“We look forward to working together to support and strengthen Ontario’s farming & food sector, while safeguarding our capacity to produce food, fibre, fuel and flowers locally,” the organization said. “Ontario’s farmers and agri-businesses are a cornerstone of the provincial economy — fuelling growth, creating jobs, and playing a vital role in ensuring Canada’s food security.”

Robert Bailey, the MPP for Sarnia-Lambton, is the parliamentary assistant to Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson.

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.