British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell yesterday named former Nanaimo city councilor Ron Cantelon as the province’s Minister of Agriculture and Lands, which oversees aquaculture and fisheries.
He replaces Stan Hagen, who died suddenly last week.
Cantelon was elected the minister of lands and agriculture of Nanaimo-Parksville in May 2005 and serves as chairman of several committees.
“Ron Cantelon has provided tremendous service to the people of British Columbia as an MLA and I want to thank him for taking on this position,” said Campbell. “Ron has played an important role in the development of agriculture and aquaculture policy and his experience will help advance government’s priorities in this important area.”
In addition to aquaculture and fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is responsible for agriculture, food industry development, food safety and quality, soil management, crop insurance and the Integrated Land Management Bureau. The ministry is also responsible for the BC Farm Industry Review Board, Agriculture Land Commission, BC Wine Institute and Muskwa Kechika Advisory Board.
