Trevor Jones, Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP, is Ontario’s new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness in a cabinet shuffle announced this afternoon by Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Ford unveiled his new cabinet at a swearing in ceremony held at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto today.
Ford’s cabinet shuffle and expansion flew in the face of the status quo conservative strategists predicted.
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“As Ontario faces one of the greatest challenges in our history, workers and families are counting on us to stand up for their jobs and wellbeing,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement.
Ford said he is focused on building an experienced team to deliver on the province’s mandate to “protect Ontario in the face of tariffs from the United States while building a stronger, more competitive and resilient economy.”
Former agriculture minister Rob Flack was reassigned as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Graydon Smith was appointed Associate Minister. Lisa Thompson retained her position as Minister of Rural Affairs, while Todd McCarthy takes on the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, which will now have jurisdiction over conservation authorities.
In separate statements, both the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) and the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) congratulated Jones on his new appointment and said they look forward to working with him to implement the increase in Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP). The provincial government announced an increased investment of $100 million to the RMP Jan. 28, the day Premier Ford called a snap election.
Both the BFO and GFO thanked former minister Rob Flack for his support to increase the RMP, and for his work on the provincial agriculture file.
Since his election in 2022, Jones has served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Mines, respectively. He was appointed as Deputy House Leader in the Ontario Legislature in October 2023 and as Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response as part of the Treasury Board Secretariat in June 2024.
