Huron-Bruce’s Progressive Conservative candidate is looking forward to continued investment in the province and inter-provincial trade following next week’s provincial election.
Lisa Thompson says she’s proud of what she was able to accomplish over this past term, and wants to keep going for putting the region on the national and international stage.
“Over the last four years, I’ve been really, really proud to represent the riding of Huron-Bruce in all I do,” she said in an interview with Bayshore News. “We have taken great strides in making sure that rural Ontario and our agri-food industry gets its swagger back. I’m so incredibly proud of Ontario farmers and our value-added chain in processing that enables good quality Ontario food not only to be utilized here in Ontario and enjoyed, but I’ve had the opportunity to see Ontario-made products on the shelves on the other side of the world when I’ve participated in trade missions”
When it comes to looking forward to a new Ontario government, Thompson says that the provinces and the federal government have to stand together against potential trade wars and high tariffs.
“Three words come to mind: True North Strong. We’ve shown resilience, we’ve got programming to support resilience in Ontario across all sectors, we’ve got a Premier and a leader that believes with all his heart in the opportunities that lie ahead of us that ultimately result in us investing in, building in, and believing in the future that we have to protect. And that’s why the PC Party of Ontario is standing up so strong and united, shoulder-to-shoulder with Premier Ford, to make sure that there’s a strong provincial government that can help unite the rest of the nation to ultimately demonstrate that standing united and standing up for what we believe in can never be bullied and never be pushed over by anyone with other objectives and other agendas, no matter where they call home.”
The Wingham native and Bruce County resident says that she’s been proud to work as a cabinet minister for the past three terms, and would love to continue working in the Rural Affairs portfolio, but if she was to be offered something new, she’d be honoured to do the work. Previously, she was Minister of Government and Consumer Services from 2019-2021. Prior to that, she was Minister of Education.
“It’s always an honour to be called to serve, and I would always, no matter what I’m asked to do by the leadership and Premier Ford, I will always represent rural. I’m very proud of standing up the very first absolute stand-alone Ministry for Rural Affairs. We introduced our strategy in January, at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference, and it was incredibly well-received. I titled it “Enabling Opportunity” and I feel very strongly that our pillars that support enabling opportunity not only in mid-western Ontario, but around the province, will position us to absolutely not only prepare, but to build and invest so that we can continue to protect good jobs and a strong economy at the local level. So that’s my roundabout way to say I’m willing to serve in whatever capacity that comes my way, because the root of all I do is based in making sure that our region in Midwestern Ontario and people are always aware of what our priorities are.”
She says that part of that work will be thanks to her experience as a provincial minister.
“In my role as Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, I had already kick-started two pilot projects in the spirit of inter-provincial trade to reduce red tape and burden, so that the flow of products can easily move two ways, east and west, and there’s more to be done. I think that more than ever before, with Premier Ford being the Chair of the National Federation of Provinces, you’re going to see that Team Canada approach be fostered and enabled even more so. I had the honour of co-hosting the rural component of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers last year, and there is a huge desire to recognize how we can work better together, and you’re going to see that be a priority for all elected officials across Canada. I am certain of that.”
She says she’s always willing to make sure that her home riding doesn’t get ignored.
“First and foremost, I’m known as a riding MPP, and everything I do is about generating positive results and action for the people that call Huron-Bruce home. Since we formed government in 2018, I have brought well over $600 million in investment back to the riding. That’s safe roads, that’s housing-enabling water and sewer systems, that’s redevelopment of hospitals, new schools, new daycare spaces, support for hospice, support for local festivals and arts & culture. The list goes on, and I continue to have a to-do list in that regard that I look forward to continuing to check off.”
Thompson says that looking ahead to a new Ontario government, she’s looking forward to working with a new Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP, after Rick Byers announced that he would not be seeking re-election. She says that she’s worked with PC candidate Paul Vickers in the past, and is excited to have the chance to work with him to make sure that the region is represented well.
Thompson is seeking re-election as the Progressive Conservative candidate for Huron-Bruce, against Ian Burbidge for the Ontario Liberal Party, Bruce Eisen for the Alliance Party, Nick McGregor vying for a seat for the Ontario NDP. To round out the ballot is Green Party of Ontario Candidate Matthew van Ankum and New Blue Party candidate Zack Weiler.
The Ontario election is on February 27th. Polls are open from 9am-9pm.
