Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece has been appointed the parliamentary assistant to the minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The announcement was made Friday after Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman was named and sworn in as minister of Agriculture. Pettapiece will be working closely with Hardeman on the new government’s agriculture policy. The pair worked have previously together with Pettapiece serving as deputy critic for agriculture back in 2011.
“Agriculture means so much to our riding and the province, and so it’s an honour to be chosen for this role,” said Pettapiece said. “As always, my first priority will be to the people I represent as MPP for Perth-Wellington.”
Pettapiece also praised Ford’s cabinet selections, calling them experienced and hardworking.
In total, Ford’s cabinet will have 21 members, including himself. The new government was sworn-in and affirmed in a public ceremony on the front steps of the Legislative Building at Queen’s Park on Friday.
“With this team, Ontario is headed in the right direction,” said the new parliamentary assistant.
Pettapiece graduated from Ridgetown College of Agriculture and Technology. Pettapiece moved to Perth County in 1967, when his parents bought a dairy farm near Monkton.
