News Release

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

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF GERRY RITZ AS SECRETARY OF STATE (SMALL BUSINESS AND TOURISM)

January 4, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment of Gerry Ritz, Member of Parliament for Battlefords–Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, as Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism).

“Gerry Ritz will be a strong voice for small business and tourism. In addition to being a fourth-term Member of Parliament, he has owned a number of small businesses, enabling him to bring all of his experience to his new role,” said the Prime Minister.

As Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), Mr. Ritz will assist the Minister of Industry.

Gerry Ritz’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 Gerry Ritz

Gerry Ritz was first elected to Parliament in 1997. He was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2006. Most recently, Mr. Ritz was the Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. He previously served as the Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food and for Public Works and Government Services.

Mr. Ritz also served as Deputy Whip and Question Period Coordinator for the Official Opposition. He was Chair of the Subcommittee on the Estimates Process and a member of the standing committees on Finance and on Transport, the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business and the Liasion Committee.

During his career, Mr. Ritz has run his own farming operation, owned and operated a general contracting business and co-owned a weekly newspaper. Prior to entering politics, he worked as constituency coordinator for former Saskatchewan MP, Elwin Hermanson. He was actively involved in the Rosetown Economic Development Committee, the Knights of Columbus, and coaching children's hockey.

Mr. Ritz is married to Judy and has two adult children.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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