Beamsville – Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, has unveiled changes to his cabinet to put Ontario on a long-term footing to protect workers, businesses and communities as President Trump continues to escalate his trade war with Canada. With the update to cabinet, Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, was sworn in today as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
“Raised on a farm in Niagara and in my previous role working closely with agricultural industry leaders as Associate Minister of Energy, I am looking forward to working with growers, farm families and agribusinesses across Ontario to protect the province’s largest economic sector,” said MPP Oosterhoff.
“I am thankful the Premier is giving me this opportunity to serve and I look forward to working with our provincial farm organizations, commodity groups, industry leaders – and most importantly – the farm families that put healthy, safe and locally grown food on our plates.”
Protecting Ontario’s agriculture and food industry is critical to strengthening the province’s food supply chain, supporting local jobs and building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant agri-food sector.
The Ontario government is currently reviewing its Grow Ontario Strategy focused on strengthening resilience and encouraging a buy-local approach. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness is engaged in an extensive consultation with farmers, agri-food businesses and other industry partners to help position the sector for long-term self-reliance and prosperity.
This effort builds on the success of the Grow Ontario Strategy launched in 2022, which has already helped achieve a thirteen percent average annual increase in exports, a fifteen percent rise in employment and a twenty percent increase in farm sales, reinforcing Ontario’s position as the largest food processor in Canada and a leading agri-food jurisdiction in North America.