Gerry Ritz - Member of Parliament for Battlefords - Lloydminster  
 

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Constituency Office

1322-100th Street
North Battleford, SK
S9A 0V8
Tel: 306-445-2004
Fax: 306-445-0207

Ottawa Office

781 Confederation Bldg.
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-995-7080
Fax: 613-996-8472

About Gerry

Families in Canada and around the world rely on the abundant and healthy food that Canadian farmers produce. That's why Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's bedrock principle is Farmers First. The success and sustainability of farmers is a paramount goal behind every agriculture policy decision.

Minister Ritz grew up on a family farm near Rosetown, Saskatchewan, and that heritage has driven him to make sure the Canadian agriculture industry remains innovative and competitive. Over the past year he has travelled to Asia, South and Central America, Africa and the Middle East to open markets and increase trade, ensuring that Canadian farmers can boost their bottom line by selling more of their products to more consumers around the world.

He was first elected to Canada's Parliament representing the riding of Battlefords-Lloydminster in 1997. He was re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008. He was named Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism in January 2007 and was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board in August 2007. He also serves as the Regional Minister for Saskatchewan.

 

Minister Ritz knows agriculture and the province of Saskatchewan as he has ran his own farming operation, owned and operated a general contracting business, and co-owned a weekly newspaper. Minister Ritz also has a long history of community involvement including work with economic development organizations and coaching. He and his wife Judy live at Brightsand Lake in western Saskatchewan. They have two children and three grandchildren.

 

         

 

The Work of an MP/Cabinet Minister        

 

The House of Commons is in session Mondays to Fridays from mid-September to mid-June.

Except for Fridays and for times of late night or emergency debates, the House adjourns daily at 7 p.m.  MPs fly to and from their riding on many weekends to attend to constituency business and spend time with their families. Cabinet ministers, including Gerry as Minister of Agriculture, usually have additional weekend travel and duties related to their portfolio.

 

When the House is sitting, Members of Parliament participate in debates on legislation before the House, daily Question Period, Standing House Committee Hearings and any number of special Caucuses and Parliamentary Associations. Ministers have many added responsibilities including presentation of bills and attendance at cabinet committee meetings. In addition to regular cabinet meetings, Gerry serves on the Government Operations and Economic Growth.


Aside from time in the Chamber and at committee meetings, a typical day in the life of an MP is filled with meetings, activities and other duties that often start before breakfast and end well into the evening. There may be media interviews, a meeting with a visiting constituent to discuss a federal program,  special events and ceremonies to attend, letters, phone calls and faxes to answer and, in the case of ministers, briefings to attend, stakeholders to meet and announcements to make. 

 
 
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