6 questions with Ontario's food guy

May 15, 2012

From 23-year politician, to new pitchman for the province’s $40-billion, food-processing industry, former Ontario agriculture minister Steve Peters knows food. Reporter Alex Weber had him sink his teeth into some big questions about how London can make the most of its location in one of Canada’s richest farm belts.

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STEVE PETERS

Age: 49

Home: St. Thomas

New job: Executive director, Cambridge-based Alliance of Ontario Food Processors

Career: From grocery clerk, to politics, to head of food-industry umbrella group.

Political experience:

  • Three-term St. Thomas mayor, 1991 to 1997
  • Three-term Liberal MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London, 1999-2011
  • Ontario cabinet posts held: Agriculture, labour
  • Last political job: Speaker of the Ontario legislature

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Q: Why the switch from politics to your new role as executive director of the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors?

I’ve spent virtually my whole adult life in politics. And, contrary to what the public thinks, we, as provincial politicians, don’t have pensions for the rest of our lives . . . About two weeks ago I received a call asking what I was up to and was presented with this opportunity of assuming the (alliance’s) executive director’s role . . . I said yes, and I started last Wednesday.

Q: Is there enough political will in London to chase big agri-businesses?

I certainly do (think so). I think London’s already demonstrated that. You’ve got your Kelloggs and your Labatts of the world, you’ve got your Casco, playing a major role. And now with Dr. Oetker coming online and other opportunities, I think the days of chasing and hoping we’re going to find a 2,000-job Toyota plant are challenging. But, I think there’s tremendous opportunity in the food-processing and beverage industry. So my focus isn’t just to help support London; my focus is to help the industry all across Ontario to find ways to encourage investment in the province. Part of that is going to mean me working with municipalities in and around London and both the federal and provincial government to make sure we have good strategies in place that will encourage new investment.

Q: Do you think Londoners see the region as an agricultural hub?

I think they do. All you have to do is quickly leave the borders of your municipal boundaries and you’re immersed in agriculture. Whether it is the field crops you see going into the ground right now, or the chicken barns, or the dairy barns, you don’t have to travel very far outside of the city limits to see the business of agriculture at work. But, do we need to raise the profile? Definitely. Much of it is education, but we also need to listen to the consumers, too.

Q: What’s the biggest barrier to making use of London’s agricultural assets?

I don’t see many barriers. What I think we need more is to recognize the opportunities that exist. The food-processing industry in Ontario is a $34-billion a year industry. There’s more people employed in the food industry than there are in the auto manufacturing business. I think for a long time, the food industry hasn’t been on the radar screen because many of the operations are smaller. It’s not the Fords or Toyotas of the world — many of these are smaller operations. The food industry is largely made up of small and medium employers, so I think the goal has to be, how can we within the industry and those elected officials, shift our mindset to recognize we have the potential? Looking at just Ontario alone, we are the leader in Canada when it comes to food processing.

Q: Who are London’s biggest competitors when it comes to attracting big agri-business?

People don’t realize, but really the largest food- and beverage-processing centre in Ontario is actually in Toronto. You wouldn’t think of a large city, but Toronto is really the dominant player when it comes to the food industry.

Q: What can London do to bridge the gap?

I think municipalities like London, and in my case, I’m going to speak to St. Thomas, as well, need to show the benefits of a good labour force, the access to transportation routes, access to raw materials. London is situated in one of the most diverse agricultural regions in all of Canada . . . You’ve got 200 agricultural commodities that are being either grown or raised within 200 kms of London . . . Geographically, London is well situated to build new partnerships and relationships in the agricultural industry to help create jobs.

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