Tariffs and growing trade markets for Ontario's agriculture sector are two of the top priorities for the province's newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones knows he has a tough task ahead of him as he takes on his first cabinet position, shortly after being re-elected with the Progressive Conservatives.
"Short-term, we have to deal with this tariff situation," said Jones. "Our primary producers and processors are feeling it right now."
To support those producers, Jones credited previous Ag Minister Rob Flack for a significant increase in annual funding for the Risk Management Program (RMP). That program helps to provide financial protection for farmers against challenges that are beyond their control -- including inflation, supply chain disruptions, and market downturns.
The province announced at the end of January this year, shortly before the provincial election, that it was increasing the annual funding for the RMP from $150 million to $250 million annually. That change will be phased in over a three-year period, starting with an additional $30 million increase for 2025.
The move was applauded by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, noting the "ask supports the efforts by the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition (OASC), who have long been urging the province to enhance its investment into RMP and [Self-Directed Risk Management Program]."
It also got high praise from the Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Jones says his other top priorities as he starts out include increasing innovation in the ag sector and looking for alternative markets for Ontario-grown agricultural products.
"We have to look at innovation -- embedding that in what we do -- kind of a speed of business approach and really look for alternative markets to make sure Grown in Ontario can be everywhere in the world," said Jones.
While he is a first-time Minister, Jones brings plenty of experience to the role, having served as a parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness from June 2022 to March 2024.
He credited his predecessors Rob Flack and Lisa Thompson -- and Premier Doug Ford -- for setting a good example of how to lead well.
"Premier Ford knows all of these people by name and he says you're best informed by the experts, listen to the experts in every field, take their advice and then be brave to take action," said Jones. "I learned that as a parliamentary assistant and you see our leaders doing that -- that's how I'm going to lead, too, in a very collaborative way."
Jones said taking on the new Minister's role while also focusing on the local issues in Chatham-Kent-Leamington is always a balance, but believes he has put a strong team in place to make sure his constituents' voices are heard.
"We're a non-partisan office," said Jones. "We're going to treat everyone with that same level of excellence and respect -- I think we built that tradition right from 2022."