Ontario Strengthens Agricultural Research and Commercialization with New Chair Appointment

Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario Chair to help advance the agency’s mandate of fostering research excellence

January 17, 2025

Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Table of Contents

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes
  4. Additional Resources

GUELPH — The Ontario government is pleased to announce the appointment of Nevin McDougall as Chair of Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), effective January 18, 2025. Mr. McDougall’s leadership will strengthen ARIO’s support of research and innovation across Ontario’s nearly $51 billion agri-food sector, while accelerating the agency’s efforts to promote more commercialization of cutting-edge technologies.

“I am confident Nevin McDougall will deliver bold and positive leadership to ARIO as its new Chair and congratulate him on his appointment. He has served on its Board since 2020 and brings decades of international business leadership experience and expertise that will be instrumental in reinforcing Ontario’s agri-food research capabilities. I look forward to the work he will do, along with the ARIO Board of Directors, to strengthen agri-food commercialization for the long-term competitiveness and growth of the sector,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

“On behalf of Premier Doug Ford and the province, I would like to thank Dr. Lorne Hepworth for his transformative work as Chair of ARIO since 2019. Lorne has presided over the completion of three major research centre build projects, renewed ARIO’s 10-year strategic plan, helped modernize the Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario Act, and was an unwavering supporter of the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy.”

Nevin McDougall brings experience as an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and private investor with 30 years of experience in industry-leading, innovative agribusiness organizations. He has led business operations for large multi-national companies in both North American and international markets, with extensive hands-on experience in R&D, commercial operations, and management. He was instrumental in the modernization of the ARIO Act.

Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) is a crown corporation that works to establish and strengthen programs and relationships to enhance agri-food research, innovation and commercialization outcomes for a prosperous, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector. ARIO also owns 14 research centres across Ontario that conduct world-class animal and plant health research that benefits the province’s farmers, agribusinesses and consumers.

Quick Facts

  • ARIO was created in 1962 as an agency of the Government of Ontario, accountable to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
  • ARIO’s 11 board members, as appointed representatives of the agri-food sector, are dedicated to the strategic use of research and innovation to enhance the sustainability and profitability of Ontario’s nearly $51 billion agri-food sector.
  • Ontario’s agri-food sector employs over 871,000 people, representing one in nine of all jobs provincewide.

Quotes

“It has been an honour to serve as Chair of ARIO for the last five years. I am immensely proud of the high-impact research and partnerships that have been supported by ARIO. With the incoming new chair, ARIO will be well-positioned to continue to thrive and innovate and be a strong proponent for agri-food research in Ontario.”

– Dr. Lorne Hepworth
Former Chair, Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario

“I am honored to be appointed by Minister Flack as the new Chair of ARIO. I have been proud to serve as a board member of ARIO for the last four years. Together with fellow board members of ARIO, I look forward to exploring new opportunities for agri-food research, innovation, and commercialization in Ontario.”

– Nevin McDougall
New Chair, Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario

Additional Resources

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario

Grow Ontario: a provincial agri-food strategy