Lisa Thompson returns as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Lisa Thompson was visibly emotional while swearing her oath to the 2022 Ontario Cabinet on June 24. 

During her short 12 months as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Huron-Bruce MPP dealt with several sector challenges, including drought conditions in northwestern Ontario, agri-food labour shortage challenges and processing capacity issues.

Why it matters: Doug Ford swore in a new, slightly expanded Cabinet as his second term as Ontario premier.

Jack Chaffe, Beef Farmers of Ontario president, said the BFO established a good rapport with Thompson and praised her rapid efforts in addressing the drought’s impact on livestock producers and improvements to Ontario’s Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program. 

“We value her affinity for farmers and look forward to getting things done,” said Chaffe. “With a specific focus on support for Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP) and all business risk management programming available to beef farmers.”

According to Chaffe, the BFO will ask the minister to focus on risk mitigation for food production, dedicated resources and policies increasing meat processing capacity investments, and farmland preservation. In addition, the BFO will push for a Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act review and accessible mental health services for farmers and agri-food workers, said Chaffe. 

Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) president Peggy Brekveld said the OFA is excited to continue its partnership with Thompson and develop relationships with new Cabinet members to build stronger agricultural and rural communities. 

“We are pleased to see Ministers reappointed in many portfolios critical to agriculture, and we welcome the opportunity to continue to strengthen our relationships with them as we work to tackle key challenges that face farmers and rural communities,” said Brekveld.

She said that climate change, supply chain resilience and preservation of local food production capacity are issues impacting all Ontarians, whether rural or urban. Adding, she’s keen to continue conversations and work collectively towards finding solutions. 

“Agriculture is a complex sector that not only touches many facets of daily life in Ontario but is also impacted by the decisions, policies and directions of a wide range of provincial ministries,” adds Brekveld. 

She said that agriculture is a significant contributor to Ontario’s economic recovery, with agriculture and rural communities providing a solid breadth and depth of potential that new and returning ministers can overlook. 

“We want to ensure our farmers have the tools, resources and support necessary to keep their businesses strong and profitable so that they can continue feeding families across the province,” said Brekveld.

Ford expanded his cabinet slightly from 28 members to 30, reconfiguring some ministries and introducing others. 

Parm Gill is the Minister of Red Tape Reduction, an issue that Ford has been strong on since his first campaign onward and one significantly impacting the agriculture industry.

Ford reappointed David Piccini as Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Steve Clark as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Todd Smith as Minister of Energy. 

Ford divided Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry into three ministries. George Pirie was appointed Minister of Mines with a mandate to develop the Ring of Fire; Graydon Smith as Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry; and Greg Rickford served double duty as Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

Monte McNaughton returns as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Caroline Mulroney retains the Ministry of Transportation with the additional appointment as Minister of Francophone Affairs. 

Complete List of Cabinet appointments 

• Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
• Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
• Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance
• Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care, Minister of Legislative Affairs and Government House Leader
• Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
• Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Doug Downey, Attorney General
• Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities
• Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade~, with an additional mandate for small business
• Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
• Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
• Parm Gill, Minister of Red Tape Reduction 
• Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General
• Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education
• Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
• Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Francophone Affairs
• David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
• Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
• George Pirie, Minister of Mines, with a mandate to develop the Ring of Fire
• Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery
• Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs
• Prabmeet Sarkaria, President of the Treasury Board, with an expanded mandate for emergency management and procurement, including Supply Ontario
• Todd Smith, Minister of Energy
• Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, with an additional mandate for government real estate
• Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Stan Cho, Associate Minister of Transportation
• Michael Parsa, Associate Minister of Housing
• Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
• Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity