Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

John Wise Former Minister of Agriculture and Dairy Farmer Dies at the Age of 77

Former Ag Minister Will Be Remembered for His Contributions to Agriculture

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

John Wise, former federal Minister of Agriculture and dairy farmer was remembered on Monday for the contributions that he has made to Canadian agriculture.

Wise was a fifth-generation dairy farmer prior to his run for politics and was an advocate for supply management while helping to introduce his government’s free trade policies.

Wise first began his career in politics as a local politician and served as a Township Councillor and Deputy Reeve of Yarmouth from 1966 to 1967. He also served as the Warden of Elgin County in 1969. Wise dove into Federal politics when he ran in the 1972 general election in the riding of Elgin, where he defeated Liberal incumbent MP Harold Stafford. Wise was re-elected four times before he retired in 1998 after serving in opposition and the government – he served as the minister of agriculture under Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney.

Wise was heavily involved in his community and served on a number of agricultural boards such as serving as Chairman of the Board for the Canadian Livestock Exporters Association and Canadian Embryo Exporters Association, and was the honorary founder and President of the Soil Conservation Canada.

Wise died on January 9, 2013 at the age of 77 in London, Ontario.

Funeral service details:

A funeral service is set for 1 p.m. Monday at Knox Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas. Visitation at the church begins at 11 a.m. Monday.

Views: 252

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

John Wise Remembered.

From London Free Press.

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/01/10/former-elgin-mp-dies

Please post any stories or thoughts here.
ELGIN'S JOHN WISE DESCRIBED AS POLITICIAN WHO WOULD LISTEN-PASSES 01/14/13
From St. Thomas Times-Journal

“I sat on county council with him for about four years,” veteran Vienna reeve and former Elgin warden K.C. Emerson said.

“He had a lot of common sense. And he knew enough to listen, and he knew enough when the time came, to speak up.”

They were qualities which impressed Emerson, local federal Progressive Conservative party president, and he urged the young Yarmouth farmer to enter federal politics.

Already a successful local politician, the fifth-generation dairyman ran in the 1972 general election in Elgin and defeated incumbent Liberal MP Harold Stafford.

Wise was re-elected four times before he retired in 1988 after serving in Opposition as well as in government. He was minister of agriculture under Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney.

Wise died unexpectedly last Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in London hospital. He was 77.

He was recalled Thursday for his commitment to his job and his constituents – be they national, or local.

“As minister of agriculture, John protected and advanced the interests of farmers from across the country,” Conservative EML MP Joe Preston said in a statement in which he called Wise a mentor and a friend.

“Through supply management, he changed the face of agriculture in our country, leaving his mark on Canadian history. John's knowledge, hard work and good nature ensured his political success.”

But he didn't forget the voters who elected him in Elgin, and who rewarded him what was to be his final election in 1984 with the largest majority on record.

“He was a man who considered public service a duty and took his role as the people's representative very seriously,” PC EML MPP Jeff Yurek said.

“His contributions as a legislator, cabinet minister, and community advocate have made this community – and, indeed, this country – a better place.”

“He was always available to talk to his constituents,” Ken Monteith, who succeeded Wise as Tory MP in Elgin, said.

". . . He was a leader in our community.”

He maintained that interest even after leaving public life.

“John always showed a keen interest in county council,” Elgin Warden Cameron McWilliam said.

“He was interested in what was going on locally. He was a big supporter of community initiatives.”

And, like Preston and others, former NDP and Independent Elgin MPP Peter North also recalled Wise as a good-natured representative.

“The easiest way to be John Wise's friend was to just shake his hand.”

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

PCDMN Soil Moisture Maps: Risk of stem rot sclerotial germination, July 2, 2025

June and early July are important months in terms of field crop disease development.  For diseases such as sclerotinia stem rot of canola and ergot of small grain cereals, suitable pathogen development must occur to produce spores before host infection can take place.  The pathogens associated with both diseases overwinter as resting bodies known as sclerotia, which are compact masses of hyphae (Figure 1).  Germination of stem rot sclerotia to produce the golf-tee shaped apothecia, aka carpogenic germination, requires suitable moisture conditions and moderate temperatures: Typically, sclerotial germination takes up to three weeks with the occurrence of temperatures that range from 10 to 20oC and suitable moisture conditions Soil moisture levels at or close to field capacity at the soil surface are needed for germination of sclerotia, although some germination can occur when levels are somewhat less that field capacity Field capacity varies depending on soil texture but is generally ar

Beef Producers Have a Game Plan to Keep Canada FMD-Free

Canada’s last outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) occurred in Saskatchewan in 1952, and, since then our herds have remained free of FMD. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Canada is designated as FMD-free without vaccination. This designation is awarded to countries that do not have the FMD virus circulating among cloven-hoofed animals without regular preventative vaccines. The 1952 outbreak was traced to a single sausage brought over by a farm worker from Germany. This seemingly harmless act of bringing a foreign food product on a flight had devastating effects on the Canadian economy, costing approximately $2 million in expenses and lost revenue at that time. If an outbreak were to occur in Canada today, it is estimated that the economic impact could soar to over $80 million.  You Are Here! Prevent and Prepare Canada is currently able to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease from crossing our borders and to prepare for any suspected FMD c

Working together to promote 4R practices to farmers

Fertilizer Canada and Alberta Grains have developed a 4R memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines how Agriculture and Irrigation, the agriculture industry and farmers can work together to bolster data collection and communication to increase 4R practice adoption levels. The MOU, a three-year agreement, was signed by Agriculture and Irrigation, Environment and Protected Areas, Alberta Grains and Fertilizer Canada. The objectives of the MOU are to improve production and environmental stewardship through greater awareness of 4R practices and principles. It also aims to establish mechanisms to pursue common objectives and priorities related to soil health/quality and nutrient management, and to support the Alberta government's commitments to the crop industry’s sustainable growth. “I’m so happy to announce the government’s MOU with Fertilizer Canada and Alberta Grains, set to increase awareness of 4R principles and practices. The bottom line is that this approach helps producers m

Grill Season is Here and It’s Never Been Fresher

“Grilling naturally brings out the vibrant flavours of fresh, seasonal ingredients,” says Garry Scott, Vice President of Marketing at Napoleon. “It’s one of the best ways to enjoy everything this time of year has to offer – bold flavours, fresh air and good company.”

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service