Gerry Ritz
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The Honourable Gerry Ritz PC MP |
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| Official Opposition Critic for International Trade | |
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Assumed office 20 November 2015 |
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| Leader | Rona Ambrose |
| Preceded by | Don Davies |
| Member of the Canadian Parliament for Battlefords—Lloydminster |
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Assumed office June 2, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Len Taylor |
| Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food | |
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In office August 14, 2007 – November 4, 2015 |
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| Prime Minister | Stephen Harper |
| Preceded by | Chuck Strahl |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence MacAulay |
| Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture |
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In office 4 May 2006 – 1 February 2007 |
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| Minister | Chuck Strahl |
| Preceded by | Paul Steckle |
| Succeeded by | James Bezan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 19, 1951 Delisle, Saskatchewan |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Other political affiliations |
Reform (1997–2000) Canadian Alliance (2000–2003) |
| Spouse(s) | Judy Fleury |
| Residence | North Battleford, Saskatchewan |
| Profession | Construction contractor, politician |
Gerry Ritz, PC, MP (born August 19, 1951) is a Canadian politician and member of the Canadian House of Commons for Battlefords—Lloydminster. He served as Canada's Agriculture minister from 2007 through 2015 under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Ritz was born in Delisle, Saskatchewan and prior to his political career, he worked as a farmer at the family farm for over 20 years and owned a contracting business company.
Ritz was elected as the Reform Party candidate in the 1997 general election, and then re-elected with the Canadian Alliance in the 2000 election and the Conservative Party of Canada in the 2004 election. Ritz has been the vice-chair of the House of Commons Agriculture Committee since 2002. He was appointed Secretary of State for small business and tourism in the Harper government on January 4, 2007.
On August 14, 2007, Ritz was promoted to the Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food replacing Chuck Strahl.
Ritz made national news when, in response to the 2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak he was quoted as saying, "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts." Then when told of a death in Prince Edward Island, Ritz said, "Please tell me it's (Liberal MP) Wayne Easter." Ritz later apologized for his comments and Prime Minister Stephen Harper kept Ritz in Cabinet after the 2008 Canadian general election.
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