INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH
Queen’s Park Report
Mike Brown, MPP Algoma-Manitoulin
INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH
From left Hon. Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration; Mike Brown, MPP, Algoma-Manitoulin; Bas Balkissoon, MPP; Jeff Leal, MPP; Hon. Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services
With the warm summer months now coming to an end it is time for us all to enjoy the cooler days, beautiful colours and the wonderful traditions of the Fall season. One such tradition is the much anticipated International Plowing Match. Since its inception, the IPM has become one of the largest and most popular events in rural Ontario. Over 100,000 people visit the IPM each year to enjoy the sights, sounds and of course the food! This year’s IPM was held just outside St. Thomas, Ontario.
Local plowing matches have been part of our agricultural history in Ontario for well over a century. In fact, in 1846 when the first provincial exhibition was held in the city of Toronto, a special feature of the event was a plowing match. It took place on a farm on Yonge Street near St. Clair Avenue – about a 7 minute drive from where Queen’s Park is today.
The IPM offers an excellent opportunity for all Members of Provincial Parliament to connect with rural Ontario and to show support for our important agricultural communities, our Premier and our government.
Last year I was pleased to attend the IPM which was held in Earlton, which was the first time it was held in Northern Ontario. I was once again pleased to attend the opening ceremonies and take part in the parade, along with Premier McGuinty, the Hon. Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and several members of the Liberal caucus.
