‘Food’ back in provincial agriculture ministry’s name

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Published: June 11, 2024

Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London is Ontario's new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

Minister Rob Flack confirmed today the new name of province’s agriculture ministry – the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OAFA).

Initially reported to be the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Farming and Agribusiness, Flack said in an interview he told Premier Doug Ford it was important to keep the word ‘food’ in the ministry’s title. 

The former Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) was split into two separate ministries last week, after the Premier’s office announced a cabinet shuffle and extended break in the legislature.

Read Also

‘Food’ back in provincial agriculture ministry’s name

Ontario’s agri-food sector sets sights on future with Agri-Food 2050 initiative

The first-ever Agri Food 2050, a one-day industry event dedicated to envisioning the future of food and farming in Ontario,…

Flack will lead the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and former OMAFRA minister Lisa Thompson is now Minister of Rural Affairs.

When asked about the splitting of the two ministries, Flack said that agriculture and food “is a massive industry in this province”, and that Premier Ford felt “that needed to be front and centre.”

He noted that one in every 10 Ontarians work in the agriculture sector, from farm gate to consumer plate, and for every graduate from an University of Guelph agricultural program, there are four jobs waiting. “It’s got real economic promise and potential” and that’s what the Premier wants to focus on, and why he changed the ministry’s structure and name, said Flack.

In his new role, Flack said his “first priority is to listen and learn” and is busy lining up meetings with stakeholders throughout the province.

His second priority is to continue to implement and grow the Grow Ontario strategy.

He’ll also be attending the federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers meeting next month.  

About the author

Kristy Nudds

Kristy Nudds

Editor

explore

Stories from our other publications