As I write this column, the Ontario government has returned to Queen’s Park following the winter re-election of Doug Ford and the appointment of the new provincial cabinet. There are many familiar faces around the cabinet table, but also a few important changes with direct relevance to the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) and to fruit and vegetable growers.
First and foremost, we congratulate Trevor Jones on his appointment as Ontario’s new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. As MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, he represents a riding where agriculture – and horticulture in particular – is prominent in the local economy. He also served as Parliamentary Assistant to Lisa Thompson when she was Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during the previous Ford government, so he is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities of our sector.
Jones will bring energy to agriculture that is needed during these uncertain times, building on the success of his predecessor in the portfolio, Rob Flack. Flack has become Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), but we are confident he will continue to support our sector’s needs at the Cabinet table. Additionally, his new role with MMAH will help OFVGA champion our work on behalf of growers on temporary and seasonal worker housing and municipal challenges.
Minister Jones is supported by two parliamentary assistants, Paul Vickers and Bill Rosenberg.