Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

MPP Ted McMeekin is appointed Ontario Minister of Agriculture. What does everyone think?

Does anyone have any knowledge or opinion on this appointment?

 

Here is his bio from his website www.tedmcmeekin.com

 

Ted McMeekin is the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities.

He was elected to the Ontario legislature in a byelection in 2000. He was re-elected in 2003 and 2007. He was appointed Minister of Government & Consumer Services in October 2007 and Minister of Consumer Services in  June 2009.  He previously served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministers of Education, Government Services, Consumer Services and Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Before entering provincial politics, McMeekin served as mayor of Flamborough, as a Hamilton city councillor and as a leader in several community organizations.  He has been a strong advocate for children with special education needs, seniors, the environment and community development.

McMeekin holds a MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University and serves as Assistant Practicum Professor at the university. McMeekin served as Executive Director of the Burlington Social Planning Council and Chair of Part-Time studies at Mohawk College. He was responsible for social justice issues as a regional staff person for the United Church of Canada. For eight years, he owned and operated the original and award wining Chapters bookstore in Waterdown, Ontario.

McMeekin has served as president of his local YMCA and the Hamilton-Wentworth Lung Association and as an executive volunteer with the Hamilton Mental Health Association, Operation Lifeline, Circle of Friends, Five Oaks Christian Workers Centre and the Wesley Urban Ministries. He also served on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, coached baseball and soccer and served overseas as a YMCA volunteer.

McMeekin lives in Waterdown with his wife, Dr. Barbara McMeekin. They have three daughters.

 

Views: 948

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on October 20, 2011 at 8:31am


TedMcMeekin 
6 mins 15 secs ago 
Twitter
Getting sworn in as Ontario's new Minister of Agriculture
 #onpoli
 #HamOnt 
yfrog.com/kln7k2jLooking forward to working with
 #ontag

 

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on October 20, 2011 at 8:39am

OFA welcomes Minister McMeekin to agriculture (2011)

Premier McGuinty has declared that his focus for the 40th Parliament of Ontario is to “guide Ontario through global uncertainty by focusing on building a strong Ontario economy.” And he’s already begun construction with the recent announcement of the new Cabinet. Although it is a smaller Cabinet than past years (22 versus 28), the Ministers all bring significant experience.

 

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) looks forward to working with all Cabinet members as we pursue the Premier’s goal of strengthening Ontario’s economy. We will work with key ministries to grow our industry and improve the lives of Ontarians. OFA will focus particular efforts with Environment, Natural Resources, Finance, Education, Economic development, Energy and Health Ministries.

 

OFA congratulates the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Minister McMeekin. He represents the Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough and Westdale regions.

Minister McMeekin has worked with constituent farmers over his term of service and is familiar with the farm, and agri-food priorities. His Cabinet experience will help him promote the interests of Ontario’s agri-food sector, an important economic engine.

 

We also extend congratulations to all newly appointed Cabinet Ministers – especially Jim Bradley, Minister of the Environment; Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier; Chris Bentley, Minister of Energy; and Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources. We look forward to working with Minister McMeekin and his colleagues on the wide array of files important to agriculture and agri-food to realize the Premier’s vision of a stronger economy and a caring society.

 

Although the new McGuinty government doesn’t bring a lot of representation from rural Ontario, OFA is confident that our new agriculture Minister will bring the necessary skills in listening, consensus building, the ability to keep a strong rein on the ministry and a desire for achievement along with the respect of Cabinet colleagues. The agricultural portfolio has gained a lot of attention in recent years and OFA looks forward to a new working relationship with all our ministries.

 

 

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on October 20, 2011 at 9:12am

GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO CONGRATULATES NEW MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE TED MCMEEKIN

GUELPH, ON (October 20, 2011) –

Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased with the appointment of Ted McMeekin to the position of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

 

Minister McMeekin has been a long time supporter of farmers in Ontario and an advocate for our Risk

Management Program since the pilot program was introduced in 2007. With his extensive experience

as a minister, parliamentary secretary and in his municipality we are confident Minister McMeekin will

be a strong leader for our agricultural industry.

 

“Our organization has many exciting new initiatives in market development and research that will

benefit the province of Ontario,” says Don Kenny Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We look forward

to meeting with Minister McMeekin to discuss the many ways we can work together to ensure the

success of the Ontario grain industry.”

 

Opportunities for market growth for Ontario’s grain farmers to discuss with the new minister will

include a provincial bio-diesel mandate to match the federal two percent mandate announced earlier

this year, a united strategy for research and market development, a Capital Cost Allowance

acceleration for capital purchases and a tax credit for certified seed.

 

“Ontario’s grain farmers will be pleased with this announcement,” continues Kenny. “Minister

McMeekin is a supporter of his local farmers through a local food campaign and this support will now

extend right across the province.”


-

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on November 9, 2011 at 11:12am




OMAFRA
Minster Ted McMeekin is introduced to agriculture’s finest at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

Monsanto Wins Roundup Trial After Supreme Court Ruling

A Missouri jury has unanimously sided with Monsanto in the first Roundup trial since the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Durnell decision

What is Struvite? Could it Help Farmers Stretch Phosphorus and Reduce Runoff

AAFC researchers found that blending struvite with conventional phosphorus fertilizer delivered promising results in Eastern Canada and reduced phosphorus losses under Prairie conditions.

Food Affordability and Accessibility Among the Top Priorities of Canadian Consumers

The Executive Director of Canadian Food Focus says in the face of rising food costs, Canadians are increasingly seeking information on how to stretch their food budgets. Over the past five years the cost of food in Canada has risen by an estimated 30 percent. Dorothy Long, the Executive Director of Canadian Food Focus, says we all eat several times a day and food affordability is one of the most immediate concerns facing Canadians right now. Quote-Dorothy Long-CanadianFoodFocus.org: High food prices and higher prices in general are really putting a lot of pressure on household budgets. Specifically with food, it can be harder to consistently choose foods that they want to serve, especially fresh produce, protein foods and other nutrient-dense foods that may seem more expensive at the checkout. The impact isn't the same for everyone but many households are making tougher decisions, buying fewer items, changing brands, reducing the variety or maybe even relying more heavily on less

Toronto-Area Corporation Convicted of Operating a Meat Plant Without a Licence

On January 22, 2026, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) learned that 1000498884 Ontario Inc., operating as Taotie Dry Aging, was producing and selling a ready-to-eat dehydrated meat product marketed as “dry-aged meat chips.” An OMAFA Compliance and Advisory Officer inspected the premises and confirmed the presence of 13.37 kilograms of dehydrated meat products packaged in 308 units. On the day of inspection, the company voluntarily removed the product listing from its website and disposed of the product. Under provincial regulations, dehydrating meat products for sale or distribution is a regulated activity requiring a meat plant licence, unless an exemption applies. The matter was referred to OMAFA’s Compliance Enforcement and Intelligence Unit for investigation and charges were laid.

Recycling Council of Alberta recognizes Barry Friesen with Circular Champion Recognition Award

The Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) today announced it is honouring recently retired Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen with its prestigious Rs of Excellence Circular Champion Recognition Award. This award reflects Friesen’s career-long commitment to building a more sustainable, circular future in Canadian agriculture. Friesen and other award recipients will be recognized at the RCA Annual General Meeting, held online from 10:30 a.m. to noon on November 6, 2026. Says Friesen: “I’m very proud to be part of this transformative industry, and to receive this honour from the RCA: one of the great champions of circular economy in Canada, playing a pivotal role in job creation while helping to keep our environment clean.” “It’s fitting this announcement coincides with Waste Reduction Week,” says Cleanfarms Executive Director Shane Hedderson. “During Barry’s tenure, Alberta’s small container program—the first in Canada—grew significantly along with other programs across the prov

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service