By Sarah Trant, Farmers Forum Special

It's beginning to look as if the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario's new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, likely majored in Avoidance 101.

Invited to attend a September farm tour organized by the Lanark Federation of Agriculture, the Minister expressed her regrets at the last moment and didn't show.

Invited to the 36th Annual Convention of the National Farmer's Union recently held in Ottawa, she expressed her regrets only after programs had gone to print.

Carol Mitchell, MPP of Huron Bruce and one of the Minister's two Parliamentary Assistants turned up with greetings, compliments, smiles and no substance to speak of.

Ditto the experience of the opening day of Ottawa's recent Rural Summit. This time the Minister pulled out after her acceptance had been well publicised on the Summit's website. Representing her on this occasion was her other Parliamentary Assistant, the amiable but cautious MPP Maria Van Bommell (Lambton Middlesex) whose contribution consisted of replaying much of the opening statements on OMAFRA's website.

Various theories as to the why the elusive Minister remains...well...elusive hinge on her fear of confrontation particularly by any group that might have the name "Lanark" in it.

A pity.

Agriculture is a tough portfolio. Never more so than now. Corn prices are down, the border's still not open in the true sense of the word, supply management is on the discussion table at upcoming trade negotiations and the Americans and Europeans are definitely twitchy about the Canadian Wheat Board. Faced with all of this and more, farmers are looking for answers.

Of course, the Minister may be too.

The fact remains, if she can't take the heat she should get out of the kitchen.

(Sarah Trant is a speech writer freelance writer from Arnprior, Ontario)