Huron-Bruce MPP takes over as Ontario's agriculture minister
Lisa Thompson is taking over as Ontario’s agriculture minister, replacing Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman.
During a cabinet shuffle Friday, Premier Doug Ford replaced Hardeman as Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, with Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson.
Thompson lives on a farm near Teeswater, and was previously the Minister of Education and Minister of Government and Consumer Affairs. She was first elected in 2011, and re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
“Minister Thompson has a valuable understanding of farm and rural issues and has a direct connection to those communities,” said Peggy Brekveld, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture in a statement.
“We look forward to working alongside her to grow the industry and continue to focus on the priorities and opportunities that will stimulate economic growth for all Ontarians.”
Hardeman had been Ontario’s agriculture minister since 2018.
“We engaged regularly with Minister Hardeman over the past few years and wholeheartedly appreciate his passion for agriculture and his desire to see our dynamic industry grow, innovate and move forward,” added Brekveld. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours and appreciated our time working together for the betterment of Ontario agriculture.”
Two other local MPPs were also shuffled out of cabinet.
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek is out as environment minister and Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker is out as Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
Yurek is replaced by Dave Piccini and Walker by Ross Romano.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.