News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF JASON KENNEY AS SECRETARY OF STATE (MULTICULTURALISM AND CANADIAN IDENTITY)

January 4, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment of Jason Kenney, Member of Parliament for Calgary Southeast, Alberta, as Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity).

“Jason Kenney is an experienced Member of Parliament who has ably served me as my Parliamentary Secretary. He has done exemplary work for the Government with New Canadians and all multicultural communities. He will continue to work with them to ensure that Canada works for all of us,” said the Prime Minister.

As Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), Mr. Kenney will assist the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Jason Kenney’s appointment was part of Prime Minister Harper’s announcement designed to strengthen his ministerial team as well as create six Secretaries of State, as Canada’s New Government gets ready for the return of Parliament and its second year in office.

Biographical notes are attached.


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The Honourable Jason Kenney

Jason Kenney was first elected to the House of Commons in 1997 and was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in February 2006.

Mr. Kenney was Chair of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in 2006 and has served on the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. He served as the Opposition Deputy House Leader from 2004 until 2006, and as the Official Opposition Critic on a number of files.

Prior to seeking election, Mr. Kenney served as president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Mr. Kenney was born in Ontario and raised in southern Saskatchewan, where he graduated from Notre Dame College. He did undergraduate studies in philosophy at the St. Ignatius Institute of the University of San Francisco.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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