Meet the New Minister of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs

MEET THE NEW

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS

BY COURTNEY DENARD

For centuries, farmers have learned to adapt to their changing environments by taking on new practices and new technologies.

As Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Honourable Lisa Thompson has the busy job of representing Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector at the provincial level. Growing up in Huron County, Thompson has fond memories of watching her grandfather and father show Hereford cattle, as well as being a witness to her mother’s 35-year career in municipal politics. Thompson herself had a career in Ontario agriculture prior to getting into politics. She worked as a rural community advisor for OMAFRA after graduating from the University of Guelph and served as the general manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Cooperative. Thompson and her husband continue to farm on his family’s 121-year-old homestead near Teeswater in Bruce County. In June 2021, Thompson was appointed Ontario’s 40th Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It is a position she proudly accepted and has been working at for the past eight months. The OFVC recently caught up with Minister Thompson for an informative Q&A, taking the opportunity to meet the new minister and hearing what she’s been up to. We hope you enjoy the highlights of that conversation below.

Q: How does your Ministry plan on promoting local food in Ontario?

A: As Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, I am going to work very hard with my colleagues and commodity organizations to continue to grow good quality food and increase awareness of why it matters to support and buy local products.

On top of that, I want to work on opening up doors for the rest of the world to benefit from the quality products that are generated in Ontario.

Q: What are some of the biggest issues facing the provincial agriculture industry today?

A: Labour shortage is an absolute worry and concern that’s felt across every commodity and every link of the supply chain.

We’re continuing to promote the amazing careers that we have in the agri-food sector and I also recognize there is an opportunity to conduct research on how technology can assist with labour shortages.

Farmers are really interested, and processors are, as well, in identifying how technology can continue to move the industry forward and make positive impacts.

Q: What successes do you see happening in Ontario agriculture?

A: I am so incredibly proud of our overall agri-food industry in Ontario. They have pivoted, they have responded and they have demonstrated how they can continue to make a solid contribution towards our overall economy.

Throughout the pandemic, the industry has continued to churn on all cylinders because of the amazing farmers and the people who have invested in processing and manufacturing in the spirit of Ontario.

Q: Are there any programs that you want to highlight?

A: I am really pleased with the responsiveness that is being realized through the Enhanced Agri-Food

Workplace Protection Program. This is a cost-share program that could see a total of $50,000 invested to address worker health and safety issues.

Meanwhile, this past summer we’ve been working with the Associate Minister of Mental Health and

Addictions Michael Tibollo and partners like the

Canadian Mental Health Association and the Ontario

Federation of Agriculture to bring mental health support to farmers that’s close to home.

Q: Where do you see Ontario agriculture going in the future?

A: In terms of where we’re going into the future, I think it’s bright. I see farmers and processors alike pivoting and demonstrating their dexterity to adapt to market demands.

And around the world, people are going to want more

Ontario products because they value and trust the integrity we have in our overall sector.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say to

Ontario’s fruit and vegetable growers?

A: I look forward to seeing growers continuing to lead by example when it comes to innovation and research, while making stewardship the number one priority.

I am really impressed by this particular sector in our overall industry and I look forward to seeing where we can go working side by side together.