Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford would put a farmer in cabinet if elected

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford arrived in Woodslee, Ont. on Wednesday, pledginghe would appointa farmer as his minister of agriculture if his party wins the election.

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"The politicians at Queen's Park have done nothing for our farmers and our rural communities," he said at the campaign stop behind a blue sign that read"respect farmers."

Ford criticised his Liberal and NDP opponents, saying they are "out of touch with rural Ontario."

As polls indicatean uptick in NDP support, Ford was quick to scrutinize the party's platform when it comes to farmers.

"The NDP is all about downtown Toronto," he said. "A radical agenda made by special interests."

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He promised that if elected,his party would expand natural gas, cellular and broadband service to rural communities and provide"more stability, more income security and more peace of mind" for farmers.

Ford's visit marks the first by a provincial party leader to Windsor-Essex since the beginning of the election.

Twinning Highway 3

Ford also addressed the two separate vehicle collisions on Highway 3 which closed a portion of the road Wednesday.

"Right now, we'll make sure that we commit to the farming community, sit down with them and ask them which areas they want twinned."

But hours later at an appearance in Kingsville, Ford promised to start paving an additional lane "immediately."

"I found out just a few hours ago about Highway 3 twinning that road, making sure it's a double lane ... I'm here today to commit that we will twin that road and make sure that there is never an accident on there again."

Ford also brought his "Rally for a Better Ontario"to the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham, Ont.