Foothills MP, John Barlow, is excited to be taking the reins on the agriculture file.
Conservative Party Leader, Andrew Scheer, unveiled his shadow cabinet Friday, November 29, where Barlow was named Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Barlow says there's numerous issues facing the agriculture sector, however there's also incredible potential.
"It's our responsibility to ensure their voices are heard, but ensuring they also have the tools that they need to succeed, whether that's trade markets, proper tax levels, but also representatives that are going to advocate for them domestically and internationally."
Working with Barlow will be the Conservative's Associate Ag Critic, Quebec MP Richard Lehoux.
Barlow most recently served as the Shadow Minister for Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and previously worked as the Associate Ag Critic during the last term.
Barlow says he's got great resources and mentors to draw from right in his backyard, ranging from former MP and Minister of State for Finance, Ted Menzies, Provincial Agriculture Ministers George Groeneveld and Evan Berger, Ad Farm Founder, Kim McConnell, to farmers and ranchers with skin in the game.
He says the biggest frustration he's heard from stakeholders is the Liberal's inaction on industry issues.
Barlow says he will work to educate the Liberal's Agriculture Minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau, on these challenges at the forefront such as trade and the grain backlog on rail.
"I think my job for right now is to raise awareness of the issues Minister Bibeau needs to address," he said.
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