Paisley ON-Grant Robertson, the former Ontario head of the National Farmers Union, has declared his intention to seek the federal NDP nomination in Huron-Bruce.

“After spending so many years traveling all over Ontario and right across the country and being away from home this was not an easy decision for our family, but when I look at a government that is doing so much damage to the Canada I love, and a local Harper Conservative MP who is invisible in Ottawa, the choice to stand up and be counted was clear.

This summer we have seen the true level of incompetence and wrong-headedness of this government so when asked in the past few weeks what I was going to do about it, it was obvious what the next step should be,” Robertson said.

Robertson has become one of the most respected and well known voices on agricultural and food policy issues in Canada. As the elected Ontario Coordinator of the National Farmers Union, Grant traveled the country speaking to farmers, agri-business leaders, and consumers, listening and acting on people’s concerns and solutions. Grant made numerous appearances in front of Parliamentary Committees and has met and worked with members of all of Canada’s major political parties on issues ranging from food and agriculture, to energy, health care, education, economic development and many more.

“I know and have worked with a large number of MPs and supporters from all parties,” said Robertson. “This is the approach I will carry to Ottawa as an MP. My focus will be on getting things done, not playing political games. What was clear in all that work though was that the NDP has the best policies to make life better for people in Huron-Bruce and across Canada.”

Over the last number of months many people, including prominent local Liberals, have approached Robertson asking that he step forward and become a candidate. “What I have discovered is that people are concerned that the alternative to the Harper government in Huron-Bruce is unfocused and unable to mount a serious challenge. One less Harper Conservative in Ottawa, especially one so invisible, is a good thing, but it will only happen if there is a strong, viable and ready alternative. As the NDP candidate I will be that alternative,” said Robertson.

While Robertson is well known through his work with the National Farmers Union, including a weekly commentary that was featured in newspapers and on radio right across Canada, Robertson has also been very active in issues ranging from health care, education, the environment, and poverty to strengthening our community life and much more. “We are blessed in many ways in Huron-Bruce- we have tremendous natural resources at our doorstep, people who work hard yet give of themselves to make our communities better, but we still face many challenges. Huron-Bruce needs an alternative to this government that understands our issues and is strong enough to take on the Harper Conservatives. Whenever the next election is, I will be asking voters who care about the future of our communities and this country to get behind the one campaign in Huron-Bruce with the ability to defeat the Conservatives.”

The Huron-Bruce NDP will hold their nomination meeting on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7:30 pm in the auditorium of GDCI, 260 South Street, Goderich.

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For more information you can contact Grant Robertson at
519-353-4033, 519 386-1904 (cell) or grant@bmts.com

Complete Bio for Grant Robertson

Grant Robertson has become one of the most respected and well known voices on agricultural and food policy in Canada. As the elected Ontario Coordinator of the National Farmers Union, Grant traveled the country speaking to farmers, agri-business leaders, and consumers listening and acting on people’s concerns and solutions. Grant's numerous appearances in front of Parliamentary Committees and his work with members of all major political parties have made him an important voice for agriculture and rural issues. Grant has worked on issues ranging from food and agriculture, to energy, health care, education, economic development and many more.

During his frequent guest appearances on radio stations across the country, Grant enjoyed bringing the message to urban audiences, with the conversations invariably turning to topics such as how to can, freeze vegetables, or cook whole chickens or roasts and the like. Grant seized the opportunity to highlight Ontario grown foods and re-acquaint listeners with real food. Grant also wrote a weekly commentary for the NFU that was featured on radio and in newspapers across Ontario and also appeared regularly in newspapers from BC to PEI.

Grant and his wife Sarah Slater own and operate Highlands of Paisley, a farm focused on cow-calf to finish beef, pasture-raised chicken and market vegetables. Under their farm label Grant and Sarah, as well as their growing children, can be found at Farmers Markets in Kincardine, Paisley and Walkerton along with other outlets such as Around the Sound in Owen Sound.

Besides farming, Grant is also a part-time Library Supervisor with the Bruce County Library, managing the Lucknow and Ripley Branches. Sarah is a Principal with the Bluewater District School Board.

In their life together of more than 20 years Grant and Sarah are the proud parents of three children ranging in age from 15-10. Sarah and Grant have taken their responsibility in teaching them about their responsibilities to their community, other people and the environment and having fun very seriously.

Grant and Sarah have also taken active roles in local sporting activity, including managing hockey teams and writing articles for the local paper about the achievements of these young athletes.