For release: August 13, 2004

NEW CHAIR OF ONTARIO FARM PRODUCTS MARKETING COMMISSION

TORONTO - Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve Peters today announced that Dave Hope will assume the position of Chair of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) on September 4, 2004, following the retirement of current chair, Rod Stork.

"I have had the good fortune to work closely with Mr. Hope," said Peters. "He brings to his new role a wealth of experience gained over his 19 years with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and a strong commitment to Ontario's agri-food sector. I am confident he will provide strong leadership for the Commission in its oversight of the regulated marketing system."

Dave Hope graduated from the University of Guelph with a Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics. He joined OMAF in 1985 after a two-year stint with Alberta Agriculture. Over the years he has held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as a director in the ministry's policy division.

The OFPMC is an agency of OMAF that is accountable for the conduct and impact of Ontario's regulated marketing system. The commission develops and implements policy for, and provides strategic leadership, education and information to, the province's 21 marketing boards and three producer associations that operate under the Farm Products Marketing Act and the Milk Act.

"I want to thank Rod Stork for his 34 years of dedicated service to the Ontario public, and for his excellent leadership of the OFPMC since his appointment in December 1999," said Peters. "He has earned his retirement and I trust he will enjoy it."

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Contact:
Mary Devorski
Minister's Office
(416) 326-3077
(416) 606-8303 (Mobile)