As she promised, new Ontario Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne took on the provincial agriculture portfolio as she was sworn into office as the province’s 25th premier yesterday.
However, she is separating responsibility for the rural affairs part of the former portfolio.
She appointed former Peterborough businessperson Jeff Leal as rural affairs minister and a rural eastern Ontario rookie MPP Grant Crack as his parliamentary secretary.
Wynne did not appoint an agricultural parliamentary secretary, which means she likely will handle legislature agriculture questions herself.
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The Liberals were mainly wiped out in rural Ontario during the 2011 election when they were reduced to minority status.
The first Ontario female premier, who is a Toronto MPP and urban activist, said she is taking on the agricultural portfolio to try to reconnect the Liberal party with its once-strong rural base.
“Wynne’s government is also focused on the priorities of rural Ontario,” said the government statement on the new cabinet. “To ensure those voices are heard, premier Wynne will serve as agriculture minister. Jeff Leal, the minister of rural affairs, will work with his colleagues to ensure the unique needs of rural communities including those in northern Ontario and small towns and businesses are addressed.”
Ontario farm organizations including the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers Union-Ontario have welcomed the new agriculture minister.
The NFU praised her for promising to reintroduce local food legislation.
OFA president Mark Wales said her role as premier and agriculture minister should give the sector higher profile and greater access to what has become an increasingly urban government.
