Mandate Letters Released for Parliamentary Assistants
Posted: November 10, 2014
Categories: Food in the News / GoodFoodBites
Last week, the provincial government released the mandate letters for the Parliamentary Assistants to the various Ministers in the Premier’s Cabinet. These government caucus members are tasked with helping Ministers implement specific parts of the government’s mandate.
Mr. Arthur Potts, who represents the riding of Beaches-East York, is the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In this role, he will be responsible for “promoting and encouraging innovative local food projects”, and for “deliver[ing] effective programs – such as the Rural Economic Development Program – and services to rural areas.” Mr. Potts brings a strong small business and stakeholder relations background to his new position that will be helpful as he comes up to speed on the challenges and opportunities related to local food and rural programming.
Mr. Chris Ballard has been named as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. He has been tasked with working with other Ministers, such as the Minister of Children and Youth Services and the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, to support the implementation of Ontario’s new Poverty Reduction Strategy, Reaching our Potential. See our website for more information on how this strategy may affect food and farming in Ontario. Mr. Ballard represents the riding of Newmarket-Aurora, and has a background in journalism, consumer advocacy and municipal politics.
Sustain Ontario looks forward to working with these new Parliamentary Assistants in building healthy, sustainable, equitable and financially viable food systems in Ontario.
Click here to see all the Parliamentary Assistant mandate letters.