Provincial federation applauds new Ontario premier's commitment to agriculture Monday, February 11, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Mark Wales says Premier Kathleen Wynne’s move to also name herself agriculture minister enormously increases the profile of the province’s farming and food industry. “She said she wants to make it work,” he says. “She’s taken the portfolio and that shows a commitment and I’m willing to give it all the time and effort necessary.” Wales made the comments after Premier and Agriculture Minister Wynne, along with her 27-member cabinet, were sworn in at Queen’s Park Monday. Wales was invited by the new premier to attend the ceremony and that’s possibly the first time a federation president has received such an invitation. The cabinet includes some familiar faces along with several new people. Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal is the new minister of rural affairs as Wynne has divided up the agriculture and rural affairs portfolios. “The premier recognizes that she has to speak to everybody and she’s putting out the olive branch to the opposition to work together,” Wales says, noting the challenge will be having enough opportunities to get the changes rural Ontarians need. For farmers, Wynne needs to work with them and focus on fixing the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and endangered species legislations and developing a definition of primary agriculture under the Assessment Act. There’s also work to do on green energy and hydro, he says. Some observers have said Wynne’s move to be agriculture minister is an attempt to get back voters the Liberals lost in the 2011 election. Wales says results will convince voters. “There’s lots of those things that can be fixed and getting them done is what rural voters will judge the premier and party on,” he says. Other MPPs that hold ministries farmers deal with include: St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley – environment Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti – natural resources Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi – labour Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli – energy minister Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa – finance minister Toronto Centre MPP Glen Murray – infrastructure and transportation Brampton-Springdale MPP Linda Jeffrey – municipal affairs and housing Ottawa-Vanier MPP Madeleine Meilleur – community safety and correctional services (that covers the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Previous agriculture minister Ted McMeekin moved to community and social services while London North Centre MPP Deb Matthews remains as health minister and is deputy premier. Wales says one thing he’s waiting to see is who the parliamentary assistants for the premier and agriculture ministry will be. Those people haven’t been named yet. BF Government ag critics weigh in on new premier juggling agriculture role USDA report mostly upbeat
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Lynmark Farms named Master Breeder for 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society has announced that Lynmark Farms has been named as a herd for 2025. Lynmark Farms is owned and operated by Tim Shearer and Irene Vietinghoff of Norwood, Ontario. They are the third Milking Shorthorn herd to be recognized as a since this... Read this article online
Ontario Mega Farm Faces Market Chill Wednesday, March 26, 2025 A large working farm in Ontario, one of the province’s biggest on the market, is facing difficulties finding a buyer. Listed at $72.1 million, the 2,300-acre property is located near Lake Erie in Elgin County, spanning both Malahide Township and Central Elgin. Despite its prime agricultural... Read this article online
It’s been a while… Tuesday, March 25, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is coming to the Niagara Region this fall, providing a unique opportunity to showcase the community’s agricultural diversity and natural beauty. The annual event is hosted in a different community each year, with this year’s... Read this article online
Nutrien Ag Solutions launches its 2025 Hometown Yield Challenge Monday, March 24, 2025 Nutrien Ag Solutions has launched its second year of the , and is again available to growers in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Nutrien Ag Solutions is the retail division of Nutrien Ltd., a leading global provider of crop inputs and services. Enrollment is open until April 11,... Read this article online