trudeau-fullIVY, ON – Today Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau joined Kimberley Love, local candidate for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, at the International Plowing Match (IPM) near Barrie. The two were also joined by Liberal agriculture critic Mark Eyking and Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal.
Prior to touring the Match, Trudeau and Love met with a group of farmers, including Grey County locals Don and Ruth Hill, Brian Gilroy and Jim Dolmer. The meeting also included Ray Robertson of Grey Ag Services and spokespersons for the Sheep, Hog, Beef, Dairy, and Grains sector. Mark Wales, President of the OFA led off the round table conversation focusing attention on the decline in Federal government support for Risk Management.
trudeaub-full"Justin was warmly received all around the table. One comment I heard after the meeting was how refreshing it was to hear a politician answer farmers questions with such direct candid answers." observed Love

Justin confirmed his understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in Canada. He also shared the observation that notwithstanding some recent battering, Canada, and by extension, Canadian food products should have a natural brand advantage in global markets, and that an effective national food policy would build on that advantage in pursuit of market premiums.
Later, at the IPM, Trudeau accepted the challenge to hop on one of the tractors at a plowing site, and plowed several picture-perfect furrows before moving to the Tent City. Love, who grew up on a family farm in Hopeville, Grey County, said the plowing was "up to my dad's standard... and that's a pretty high bar!"
Trudeau and Love spent the afternoon meeting vendors and speaking with farmers. Trudeau took the opportunity to speak about the importance of all three levels of government working together to strengthen agriculture and rural communities and reiterated his earlier statement that "Ontario needs a partner in Ottawa, not an opponent."
Love is the first nominated candidate in Southwest Ontario and in the first third of candidates elected across Ontario. Love and her team are committed to win back the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound riding for the Liberals and, in fact, have opened the first Liberal campaign office in the country.The campaign office is positioned across from the Owen Sound Farmer's Market where Love hopes to meet fellow progressive residents to talk about the economy, the environment, work for young people (in the farm economy and elsewhere) and other major issues facing the area.
"I'm committed to bringing my skills as a communicator, my rural roots and my business expertise to the work of representing this riding. Canadians want change. Justin Trudeau brings a fresh leadership style and commitment to the values I was raised with. We need a voice in Ottawa that is willing to stand up for us on the issues that matter and that's why I'm in the race." says Love.

Source - Kimberley Love Campaign