I want to express my appreciation to the member opposite for the amazing advocacy that he shares, not only on behalf of Brant county farmers, but also ginseng growers.

In the fall of 2021, I went into that region of Ontario to visit, first-hand, ginseng growers to see how the pandemic had impacted their markets at a global level, and we were very quick to act. It was our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford and my ministry team, that came together with our ginseng growers to introduce an industry-led pilot program that ultimately led to stabilizing this particular industry.

I’m really pleased to share with you that, most recently, we participated in a trade mission to both Japan and Vietnam, and it was in Vietnam where we secured three specific ginseng MOUs. We had the Ontario Ginseng Growers Association sign an MOU with the Vietnamese Pharmaceutical Association, and we also had a local Ontario ginseng company sign additional MOUs, with business-to-business opportunities lying ahead of them.

So a bright future lies ahead for not only ginseng growers, because they have a government that stands with them and understands agricultural and market issues, but they also have a government that believes that it’s important to stand with them as we build back our markets around the world.

I appreciate the opportunity to ask this question of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. I am so proud that agriculture is one of the largest economic sectors in my riding of Brantford–Brant, with ginseng crops being a major product. Our farmers work day in and day out to get Ontario-made products to market that help support our economy. And, from the bottom of my heart, to all the farmers in my riding: Thank you for putting the best-quality food on our tables every single day.

But over the past few years, our ginseng growers have been hit by significant challenges in their primary overseas markets due to supply disruptions as a result of COVID-19. Our government must show leadership by recognizing, appreciating and understanding the complexities and uniqueness of ginseng.

Speaker, can the minister please share how our government is supporting the sustainable growth of this industry?