Premier Wynne Tours Farm in Waterloo

June 23, 2013

David Bebee, Waterloo Record staff

NEW DUNDEE — A local farm opened its doors to the public this weekend, attracting many area residents and Ontario’s premier.

Visiting the region Saturday, Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, toured Heritage Hill Farms in New Dundee before making stops at the Kitchener Market and the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival in Victoria Park.

“Agriculture is a huge part of the economy in Ontario so we need to make sure that all of our towns and cities understand that and make those connections,” Wynne said.

Heritage Hill Farms was hosting the province’s first-ever “Breakfast on the Farm,” an event to promote buying local foods and introduce the broader public to farming. Large crowds attending the event enjoyed a free breakfast donated by local farmers and were able to learn about the dairy farm on site.

“It’s a great way to see a little bit of Ontario agriculture and what an amazing industry it is,” said Kelly Daynard, communications manager for Farm and Food Care Ontario. “We’ve seen some people today meet calves and cows for the first time.”

Helping connect urban residents with farming communities is precisely why Wynne said she chose to take the role as agricultural minister.

“I said I would take on this job for a year because I am the premier of one Ontario and there was a notion somehow that there was a rift between rural Ontario and urban Ontario and I think we need to make sure that gap is closed,” she said.

Looking at issues affecting the entire province, the premier said she is keeping her focus on the recently passed budget through the summer months.

“We are very keen now to make sure that our budget is implemented in a way that helps people in their day-to-day lives,” Wynne said.

Increasing employment, providing youth jobs and providing quality home care are among the government’s many priorities and they are not being overshadowed by the scandal surrounding the legislature, said Wynne.

The ongoing investigation into the closure of two gas plants in the province — a decision made under Wynne’s predecessor Dalton McGuinty — is not causing a distraction for moving ahead on the budget or other important matters in the province, she said.

“My job is very much forward-looking and looking at how we increase employment and make sure the economy is thriving,” Wynne said.

View the original article here

Photo:  All rights reserved by Premier of Ontario Photography