John Barlow returns as agriculture critic
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Canadian farmers will recognize at least one face in Pierre Poilievre’s shadow cabinet.
John Barlow, the Alberta MP for Foothills who endorsed Poilievre during the Conservative leadership race, returns as the party’s critic for agriculture and agri-food, with food security added to his position.
Barlow served as Conservative agriculture critic under former leaders Erin O’Toole and Andrew Scheer.
Opposite federal minister of agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau, Barlow’s role will be to hold the government to account on issues related to agriculture.
For Canadian farmers to achieve their full potential for themselves and the economy, government overreach needs to make way for science and opportunity, Barlow said.
“As Shadow Minister, I want good science to be the hallmark of decision-making when it comes to agriculture policy, and to ensure a level playing field whereby every sector can reach its potential,” he said in a statement. “To help our farmers succeed, it is important we continue to grow our international market opportunities and decrease the red tape and harmful tax drains against the agriculture sector.
Poilievre’s shadow cabinet will also have two associate shadow ministers for agriculture.
Richard Lehoux, the MP for Beauce, and Warren Steinley, the MP for Regina-Lewvan, will assume those positions.
Other members of Poilievre’s shadow cabinet include:
- Dan Mazier (MP for Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa and former president of Keystone Agricultural Producers) as shadow minister for rural economic development and connectivity.
- Kyle Seeback (MP for Dufferin-Caledon) as shadow minister for international trade.
- Jasraj Singh Hallan (MP for Calgary Forest Lawn) as shadow minister of finance and middle class prosperity.
- Lianne Rood (MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex) as shadow minister for the federal economic development agency for Eastern, Central and Southern Ontario.
The full list of MPs in Poilievre’s shadow cabinet can be found here.
This collection of MPs will help ensure the cost of living in Canada comes down, he said.
“Together with this team, Conservatives will take on Justinflation, fight all of Trudeau and his costly coalition’s tax hikes – including his plans to triple the expensive carbon tax – and tackle the cost-of-living crisis so that young people can buy a home, families can afford nutritious food, and our seniors can retire with dignity,” Poilievre said in a statement.