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Ontario Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne, who is also the minister of agriculture, proved she can drive a tractor Tuesday morning but the Progressive Conservatives say her style of driving is just as dangerous as her direction for the province.

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Sporting red rubber boots, Wynne took the wheel of an open cab New Holland tractor in Paris, Ont., Tuesday, while farmer Sandra Vos stood on the side of the tractor, providing instruction.

The PCs said Wynne allowing a passenger to stand on the tractor — an extremely common practice on many farms — was dangerous.

“Wynne set a very bad example this morning when she rode into her media avail with someone hanging off the side of a tractor,” the Progressive Conservatives said in a release.

The PCs said farm tractor accidents have resulted in 250 deaths over the past 15 years in Ontario.

“Many of the deaths have involved rollovers to the side or rear, extra passengers falling from the tractorand bystanders being run over,” the PC statement said, emphasizing the line about extra passengers.

“As the minister of agriculture, Kathleen Wynne should set a good example by following ALL safety guidelines.”

The PC statement made no mention of their own leader, Tim Hudak, and his tractor driving habits. Hudak was photographed last September at the wheel of a tractor, with a farmer standing on the side.

Wynne’s photo op was to announce a $40-million-a-year fund for farmers if the Liberals win the June 12 election. The money would come from the $2.5-billion “jobs and prosperity” fund that was in this year’s failed budget.

“We know that if we can partner with businesses and make sure that they have the support that they need and that they can grow and that they can market their products we know that we can grow the food processing and the agri-food industry generally in the province,” Wynne said.

Wynne also pledged to protect agricultural land close to urban centres.

The Liberals trail the PCs in many rural ridings and Wynne, who represents a Toronto riding, has long been criticized for taking the agriculture role when she became premier.