Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Ritz earns title of most lobbied cabinet minister - again

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

by SUSAN MANN

Farm leaders had a lot to say to federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz last year when he received 102 prearranged contacts from industry groups.

That number made Ritz the most lobbied cabinet minister last year, according to an article in the Jan. 27 issue of the Hill Times, a weekly Ottawa-based newspaper covering politics and government. It’s the second year in a row the federal ag minister has topped the lobby popularity list.

Just under half of the contacts, 44, were about international trade. Ritz’s communications director, Jeff English, says in an email the contacts are “anything that’s prearranged,” such as a phone call or meeting.

The Hill Times article says it was Dairy Farmers of Canada that communicated with Ritz the most last year, followed by Chicken Farmers of Canada and the Canola Council of Canada. Dairy Farmers of Canada was also on the list of groups talking to International Trade Minister Ed Fast, who had a total of 76 prearranged contacts, putting him in the top five of the most lobbied cabinet ministers last year, the Hill Times says.

An emailed statement attributed to Ritz and supplied by English says agriculture is a major economic driver responsible for one in every eight jobs and is the third largest contributor to Canada’s GDP. In addition, agriculture is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada.

“As minister, I meet regularly with forward-thinking groups to discuss how to advance Canada’s diverse agriculture industry by creating opportunities at home and abroad,” the statement says.

According to the 2012/13 annual report of the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, there are more than 5,000 lobbyists registered to lobby federal public office holders. BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Scouting and Managing Resistant Weeds in Ontario

Monday, September 1, 2025

As the growing season winds down, now is an ideal time for Ontario farmers to assess the effectiveness of their weed control strategies and prepare for the next growing year. Dr. Holly Byker, Agronomy Manager at the Ontario Crop Research Centre in Winchester, emphasizes the importance... Read this article online

Tips for first year university students

Friday, August 29, 2025

The final weekend of summer is here, and students across Ontario will be returning to class next week. That includes at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, where staff, faculty, and volunteers are preparing to welcome a new crop of first year students. “There’s definitely a... Read this article online

Sterling buckle marks 170 years at Spencerville Fair

Friday, August 29, 2025

For its 170th anniversary, the Spencerville Fair is presenting a distinctive piece of Canadian silverwork that reflects nearly two centuries of agricultural tradition. The 170th Anniversary Spencerville Fair Sterling Silver Buckle was designed and handcrafted by Alex Dordevic of TRIBE, a... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top