Ernie Hardeman was announced on June 29 as Ontario’s new minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs. The announcement of the new cabinet and ministers came following Doug Ford’s swearing in as premier of Ontario's first ever “Government for the People.” 

Hardeman has been the MPP for the Woodstock area since 1995 and served briefly as minister of agriculture and food under Premier Mike Harris, from 1999 to early 2001. Along with Hardeman, newly-appointed cabinet ministers of note include: Victor Fedeli, minister of finance and chair of cabinet; Greg Rickford, minister of energy, northern development and mines, and minister of indigenous affairs; Laurie Scott, minister of labour; Jim Wilson, minister of economic development, job creation and trade; and Rod Phillips, minister of the environment, conservation and parks (previously known as environment and climate change). 

"We have an all-star team that's ready right now to give the people of Ontario the kind of leadership and direction they deserve," said Ford. "For too long, the people of Ontario have worked more and paid more, but gotten less. Those days are over. Help is here."

The new Ontario Conservative government is being sworn in and affirmed in a public ceremony on the front steps of the Legislative Building at Queen’s Park.

Source: Government of Ontario June 29, 2018 news release