A crowd of close to 200 people filled the Dashwood Community Centre Saturday to celebrate longtime Liberal MPP Jack Riddell.
Riddell will be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame at a ceremony next month. But his family, friends and neighbours got together ahead of time with a dinner and tribute to salute Riddell’s years of service.
Riddell formally ended his 17-year run as a provincial MPP in Huron-Bruce in 1990 after a tenure that also included a period as minister of agriculture and food from 1985-1989.
While he did not seek re-election in 1990, Riddell has remained an active Liberal, a member of the board of the Huron-Bruce federal Liberals and a key player in the 2015 election campaign.
The official ceremony to install Riddell in the Agricultural Hall of Fame takes place in Milton on June 11.
"What a great event, overwhelming and humbling and full of great memories and people,’" Riddell said in his speech after a lengthy tribute that included a slideshow documenting his remarkable career, speeches by other dignitaries, and a message from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Riddell saluted his family for supporting him, keeping the farm going and working together on political events all those years. The crowd included more than 20 members of Riddell’s family, including his wife Anita, some of his children, grandchildren and their families.
"It means the world to me that you are all here tonight, sharing this special occasion with me,’" Riddell said. "It makes the years melt away, with the stories and successes that we all built together. I was the lucky one who was honoured to represent all of you."
Guests included South Huron Mayor Maureen Cole, former MPP Paul Klopp, former speaker of the Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park, Hugh Edighoffer, former MPP Murray Elston and longtime MP Paul Steckle.
In a letter read by Master of Ceremonies Allan Thompson, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saluted Riddell.
"As a farmer, teacher, auctioneer, Liberal Member of the Provincial Parliament and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, your contributions to Ontario have been both significant and prolific. Your years of service were characterized by the trust you built with your constituents and the passion with which you stood up for rural communities, a true testament to your character,"Trudeau wrote.
