Premier Wade MacLauchlan says Lawrence MacAulay has P.E.I.'s 'interests at heart'

Premier Wade MacLauchlan says Lawrence MacAulay's appointment as federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is a "golden opportunity" for P.E.I., particularly as the province tries to position itself as Canada's Food Island.

Cardigan MP MacAulay was sworn in Wednesday as a member of newly minted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal cabinet.

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MacLauchlan said MacAulay is someone "who is capable of getting things done and has the Island interests at heart."

With farming in MacAulay's background, MacLauchlan said the new minister also understands the needs of the agricultural community. He said he looks forward to working with MacAulay on trade opportunities, innovation and product improvement

'Offers a further great opportunity'

"The more that we can do to add value here, to develop products that are going to be competitive in the world, the better we'll be," said MacLauchlan, citing export growth in recent years.

"We're well positioned already in terms of what people are doing, right through the private sector and in the community and in government and having Lawrence MacAulay as the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food really offers a further great opportunity."

MacLauchlan said he's "very positive about the whole makeup of the cabinet."

He said with Nova Scotia's Scott Brison as president of the Treasury Board and New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc as Government House Leader, the region will be well represented.

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