Known throughout her riding as the “Walking Woman,” Leona Dombrowsky is recognized as a vocal advocate for local residents and communities. Dombrowsky was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 and 2007. She has served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs since 2005. She previously served as Environment Minister.

As Minister of Agriculture, Dombrowsky has supported the commercialization of biomass products and created new opportunities in Ontario’s agriculture sector. She has fought to protect supply management at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and was the first Ontario agriculture minister to attend WTO talks.

She helped deliver millions in funding for rural economic and infrastructure development, and revitalized research and innovation by transferring the ownership of 14 research stations to the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario. Under her leadership, the ministry has supported Ontario’s farmers with $1 billion in extraordinary assistance and a Risk Management Program for grain and oilseed producers.