Ontario Premier Rob Ford shuffled his cabinet before the summer break, splitting the agriculture ministry into two. He has appointed Rob Flack to ministry of farming, agriculture and agribusiness. Lisa Thompson becomes minister of rural affairs.

MPP Flack (Elgin-Middlesex-London) was formerly associate minister of housing. He has a farming background and currently raises Hereford cattle. He worked for Masterfeeds, beginning in 1979 as a sales trainee, where he rose in the ranks all the way to become president and CEO of the company in 1993. He retired from his role with Masterfeeds in 2022.

MPP Thompson (Huron-Bruce) has served as agriculture minister since June 2021.

In the same news conference, it was announced that Trevor Jones, currently associate minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs will become associate minister of emergency preparedness.

The Ontario legislature will not resume until October 21.

For a complete list of cabinet, link here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004684/premier-ford-renews-team-that-is-rebuilding-ontarios-economy

Source:  Ontario Premier’s office June 6, 2024 news release