OWEN SOUND, ONT.–A Progressive Conservative member of the Legislature says he thinks Toronto should become its own province.

Bill Murdoch, member for Bruce-Grey-Owen-Sound, made the radical pitch at a meeting of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture.

He said rural Ontario is fighting a losing battle against "a Toronto mentality," adding that Toronto decision-makers ignore rural voices.

He said lack of action on the coyote problem and red tape for food producers are just some of the hurdles Toronto-based decisions create for farming and the rural economy.

Murdoch said making Toronto the 11th province, which requires amending Canada's Constitution, is the only way rural Ontario will get a voice.

He noted Toronto's population, at 2.5 million, tops Prince Edward Island at 140,000. However, he wants residents in the 905 region outside Toronto to stay part of Ontario.