After 10 years with the same agriculture minister, Manitoba Agriculture has a new leader.
Manitoba premier Greg Selinger announced yesterday Wednesday that former conservation minister Stan Struthers will become the province’s agriculture minister.
The change is part of a cabinet shuffle by Manitoba’s new premier, which sees longtime agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk become finance minister.
Struthers’ selection was unexpected, said Ian Wishart, president of Keystone Agriculture Producers.
“Yes, it was a bit (of a surprise). There was tons of speculation … and we were wondering if we wouldn’t have somebody completely new and different,” Wishart said at the ceremony introducing Manitoba’s new ministers at the provincial legislature.
“(But) we have had a good working relationship with minister Struthers for some time, so this won’t be a big change for us, I don’t think. But you never know. Ministers have the ability to put their own imprint on cabinet.”
Struthers is a surprising choice because as conservation minister he was the face of Bill 17, a permanent moratorium on hog barn expansion in southeastern Manitoba and the Interlake.
The Manitoba Pork Council launched an aggressive public campaign to defeat the legislation, calling it the anti-farm bill, but Bill 17 became law last fall. The purpose of the bill is to prevent nutrient buildup in the province’s lakes and rivers.
Following his swearing in as agriculture minister, Struthers acknowledged his relationship with hog producers has been challenging.
“The hog industry and I dealt with some very tough issues over the last number of years,” he said.
“(But) what I’ve always valued is the professional way in which Manitoba Pork and hog producers have both approached (those issues).”
Asked if the ongoing hog industry crisis will be a priority, Struthers said he would represent the interests of all farmers, including hog producers.
“I think all sectors of farming are challenged these days. And I think they (farmers) want to know that this minister and our government are in their corner. And I intend to show them we are.”
