Raw milk crusader Michael Schmidt wants to replace Bill Murdoch at Queen’s Park.
Schmidt wants to run for the Bruce Grey Owen Sound seat in next year’s provincial election.
The Durham area farmer has submitted his name as a potential candidate for the Progressive Conservatives.
The 56 year old is best known for his successful 16 year fight with the provincial government over his right to sell raw milk from his farm gate.
Schmidt believes his profile from that crusade will serve him well as many are familiar with his name and know him as a fighter for the people.
He calls himself a catch for the PC party and believes he represents their best chance of winning the election.
Schmidt says he’s not running on the milk issue but it does highlight an important issue.
He says people should have the right to make their own choices and farmers should have the right to sell their products.
Schmidt says his goal is to continue to provide the residents of Grey Bruce with a strong voice at Queen’s Park as incumbent Tory MPP Bill Murdoch is retiring.
He also says his vision is to revive rural Ontario and its towns, small businesses, and butcher shops.
Schmidt ran for the Green Party nomination in the last federal election but says at this time he does not believe they can be a strong voice.
He also has 5 years experience as a town councillor in southern Germany where he lived until 1983.
Schmidt owns and operates Glencolton Farms and Symphony In The Barn in Durham.
So far he is the only person to officially announce he is seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination in Bruce Grey Owen Sound.
South Bruce Peninsula Councillor Mark Wunderlich, former Executive Director of the Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation Bill Walker, and Bill Murdoch’s campaign manager in the last provincial election Kelly Shute are rumoured to be interested.
Schmidt says the party will hold a nomination meeting this October 6th and says he will be spending the next months gathering support.
Schmidt made his announcement today in the bed of a pickup truck draped with Canadian flags at the Keady Farmer’s Market, southwest of Owen Sound.
