Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers gave his first speech in the provincial legislature.
On May 29th, Vickers made what’s known as his ‘maiden speech’ at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
He was elected as a member of the majority Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in the 2025 election. Vickers is also the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness.
He said, “I would like to thank the constituents of Bruce -Grey-Owen Sound for giving me the honour to represent you here at Queen’s Park. It is my mission to do well for you over the next four years.”
Vickers roughly 20 minute speech outlined who he is, where he comes from and what kinds of values and lessons he brings with him into provincial politics.
“If someone had told me back in school that I would one day become a member of provincial parliament,” said Vickers, with emotion, “I would not have believed them.”
He added, “I was just a skinny farm kid who only ever wanted to work with cattle and ride the tractor. Most likely to be MPP was not found in my yearbook. ”
Vickers explained he took over the family dairy farm at a young age and it has defined his life since. He told his story of growing up on the farm, shared the stories of his parents and the lessons he learned from them. From his mother, one saying Vickers keeps with him is “be careful what you wish for, because some wishes do come true,” he said, “Since then, I’ve always tried to think carefully before making decisions.”
From his father, Vickers says, “He taught me honesty, humility, determination, a strong work ethic, values which I’ve tried to carry on with me.” He notes, politics was often discussed in their home as his father served on local council.
Vickers said in his speech, “Farming is like no other. It teaches you the value of hard work. Nobody works longer hours than a farmer during the growing season.” Vickers expanded the family farm by purchasing a neighbouring one as well.
He added, “My agriculture career grew from the barn to the boardroom. I have served on many committees and boards. The first provincial board I sat on was Gay Lea Foods. I was the youngest board member at the time. While young energy was an asset, there was growing I had to do as a board member. My fellow board members were very gracious with their time and everyone truly cared not only for the cooperative but also for each other.”
Vickers explained, “Through this I learned about the importance of governance and policy and how it impacts the ability to produce food we eat. I learned just how important Canada’s supply management dairy sector is for family run dairy farms.”
He said, “Fun fact; supply management and I were both born around the same time, but I think our nation’s decision to move supply management will age better than myself,”
Vickers ran successfully for a council seat in the 2018 municipal election in Meaford. In his speech he said, “Municipal politics is a difficult job, as many in this house will know, affecting people’s day to day lives can be very gratifying but people are very passionate, which I quickly learned you can be lobbied passionately, but you must keep in mind that the decision you make should be positive for the majority and not for the vocal minority.”
Vickers also sat on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, saying, “Through the OFA, I learned a great deal about Ontario’s diverse agriculture sector.”
Vickers noted many people have influenced his past to bring him to where he is today. He thanked numerous members of the community, neighbours, his campaign team, and family members, sharing stories about raising a family on a Grey County farm.
He spoke about the beauty of the riding and adding, “Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound is also diverse. We have members of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, (with whom) I seek to build trust throughout my term. We have new immigrant communities, Old Order Amish families and Mennonites who I’ve had many dealings with.”
He said, “As I begin this journey, I bring some lessons about agriculture with me. The first is patience. Good things take time to grow and our work here is no different. The second is to plant a seed today knowing you won’t reap its benefits until later in the year. As we begin this term, if we show patience with one another and know that we may not be the ones who will benefit from the hard work today, we will serve Ontarians well in these hard times.”
Vickers shared his excitement to collaborate with colleagues, move big projects forward and protect Ontario from economic uncertainty. “I value agriculture as an economic driver in this province,” he said.
He shared a saying, “A couple of times in life, you may need a doctor and a lawyer, however three times a day you need to eat. Food comes from a farmer. After all, everyone always has hundreds of different problems until you are hungry and then you have one.”
Vickers concluded, “While few would have expected the skinny farm kid from Grey Road 7 to make it here… I’m here now. As I take my green chair with my golden member’s pin on my lapel, the privilege is not lost on me. It is my mission to make Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and all those who helped me get here, proud of my work.”
