GUELPH, ON – The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and farmers across the province welcome the return of several ministers in key ministries most relevant to the agriculture industry and rural communities.
Announced today as part of Premier Doug Ford’s newest cabinet, these include Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson; Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks David Piccini; and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark. Todd Smith was also reappointed as Minister of Energy, Monte McNaughton as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Caroline Mulroney remains Minister of Transportation.
“We are pleased to see Ministers reappointed in many portfolios critical to agriculture and we welcome the opportunity to continue to strengthen our relationships with them as we work to tackle key challenges that face farmers and rural communities,” says Peggy Brekveld, farmer and President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “Climate change, supply chain resilience and preservation of local food production capacity are issues that matter to all Ontarians, whether rural or urban, and we are keen to see continued dialogue with the provincial government as we collectively work towards finding solutions.”
Also, of interest to farmers and rural Ontarians are the appointments of Sylvia Jones as Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Michael Kerzner as Solicitor General, Graydon Smith as Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Michael Parsa as Associate Minister of Housing.
“Agriculture is a complex sector that not only touches many facets of daily life in Ontario, but is also impacted by the decisions, policies and directions of a wide range of provincial ministries,” adds Brekveld. “We look forward to getting to know new ministers as well as returning ministers serving in new positions, and introducing them to the breadth and depth of agriculture and rural communities, the challenges we face, and the vast potential we offer as a significant contributor to Ontario’s economic recovery.”
To view a complete list of all members appointed to cabinet, visit Ontario.ca for the news release.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.
Source : OFA