Welcome
Thank you for visiting my Web site. As
the Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, I am proud to serve as
your representative in Ottawa. As part of keeping in touch with my
constituents I invite you to read my regular Report from
Parliament.
My staff and I are committed
to providing the best possible service to every constituent. I hope you
find the site both interesting and informative and please don't hesitate to
contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

IN
THE NEWS.....
$59 Million in Road
Improvements for Battlefords-Lloydminster Area in 2010
December 10, 2021 - Transportation links for motorists,
shippers and the envergy sector are improved thanks to more than $59 million in
road work - including about 100 km on Highway 40 - that took place during the
2010 construction season in the Battlefords - Lloydminster area in
Saskatchewan.
"Our improved highways are vital to our families and
communities," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament for
Battlefords - Lloydminster. "Our government understands the importance of
supporting infrastructure projects that create jobs, stimulate the economy and
improve the quality of life throughout Saskatchewan." read
more
Bill to Repeal the Long-Gun
Registry Narrowly Defeated
OTTAWA, Ontario - September 23, 2021 - Liberals and
NDP Members of Parliament have once again betrayed their constituents and have
broken their promises, says Battlefords-Lloydminster MP, Gerry Ritz. Rural
NDP members who promised during the past election to vote to end the long-gun
registry voted with the Liberals and Bloc on a Motion to defeat the bill to
scrap the long-gun registry by a margin of 151 to 153. read
more
Rural Canadians' Guide to
Programs and Services

This is a guide of Government of Canada programs and
services, put together especially for Canadians in rural and remote
communities. In addition to a short description of each program or
service, there is also a point of contact where Canadians can go for information
by telephone, fax, email or internet.
The programs and services are divided into two
sections: the first section focuses on national/regional initiatives; the second
section provides information specifically for Northern Canada. They have
been listed alphabetically under the main federal department responsible for the
program or service.
Click on the image for a PDF version of the
guide or contact our constituency office to obtain a hardcopy.
Governments Act to Help
Prairie Farmers Restore Cropland
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, July 8, 2022 - Help is on the
way for prairie farmers dealing with excess moisture and flooding through the
largest and fastest AgriRecovery relief package to date. The governments
of Canada, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, will make up to $450 million
available to help farmers take immediate steps to protect and restore damaged
cropland.
"Farmers are resilient when dealing with weather, but
recent record flooding has proved difficult to navigate," said federal
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. read more
AgriRecovery aids livestock
producers facing drought
LLOYDMINSTER, Alberta - May 31, 2022 - Livestock
producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan facing two years of drought will receive
funding from federal and provincial governments to buy feed while damaged
pastures recover. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz joined Jack
Hayden, Alberta Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Bob
Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister, to make the announcement today in
Lloydminster. read more
Leading the Way on Jobs and
Growth
OTTAWA, Ontario - March 04, 2022 - The Conservative
Government's 2010 Action Plan focused on job creation and growth to support
Canada's economic recovery. The budget also included a disciplined
long-term plan to return to balanced budgets.
"We are in stage two of our Economic Action Plan.
The focus is shifted from stimulus, to job creation and long term growth," says
Ritz. "We are already seeing the success of our plan with the creation of
135,000 new jobs since July 2009, the launch of 16,000 infrastructure projects
and a 5% GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2009." read
more
Government of Canada
Celebrated the Torch Relay with the Communities of North Battleford and
Lloydminster
Battlefords - Lloydminster, January 12, 2022 - The
Arrival of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch lit up the communities of North
Battleford and Lloydminster today as local Member of Parliament Gerry Ritz
presented the two cities with a commemorative plaque for welcoming the Olympic
flame in their community.
"The Olympics are a great demonstration of world class
athletic competition," said Ritz. "The torch relay is a unique event that
allows families in rural communities like ours to get involved and excited about
the upcoming winter games. Go! Canada! Go!" read more
New Citizenship Study Guide
to Help Newcomers and Canadians Better Understand Canada

Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of
Citizenship can be downloaded or ordered from the CIC website.
Citizenship applicants can contact the CIC Call Centre at
1-888-242-2100 if they have any questions.
Three Communities Benefit from Federal-Provincial
Infrastructure Funding
ST. WALBURG, Saskatchewan - September 25, 2021 - The
Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are delivering investments to upgrade
water treatment facilities and roads in the communities of St. Walburg, Vibank,
and the Rural Municipality of Beaver River. Gerry Ritz, Minister of
Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster and Jeremy
Harrison, Minister of Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs, announced the project
today. read
more

Liberals Try to Block Aid for Farmers
OTTAWA, Ontario - September 25, 2021 - Canada's
Conservative Government passed vital tax measures to help drought-stricken
farmers last week despite the fact that Liberal Members of Parliament tried to
block the initiative. read more
Long Gun Registry Information Misuse
OTTAWA, Ontario - September 24, 2021 -
Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Hon. Gerry Ritz and the Conservative Government have
warned for years about the misuse of private information collected through the
long-gun registry. Today it was revealed that personal information was
wrongly given to a private polling company without the Government's
knowledge. read more
Government of Canada to Help Saskatchewan Livestock Producers
Affected by Drought
OTTAWA, Ontario - July 22, 2009 - Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today
announced livestock producers in Saskatchewan in drought affected areas will be
eligible for tax deferrals on breeding livestock sold due to drought in
2009.
"Our Government understands the strain that many
livestock producers are facing due to a cool, dry spring in some parts of
Saskatchewan," said Minister Ritz. "We will continue to put farmers first
to make sure they have the programs and assistance needed to overcome these
challenges and continue to drive the Canadian economy." read more
Government of Canada
Invests in Historic Buildings and Infrastructure at Fort Battleford National
Historic Site
BATTLEFORD, Saskatchewan - June 25, 2009
- The Government of Canada is making smart investments to improve historic
buildings and infrastructure at Fort Battleford National Historic Site. On
behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister
responsible for Parks Canada, Agriculture Minister and MP for Battlefords -
Lloydminster Gerry Ritz today announced funding for two projects that will see
the stabilization of the five historic buildings and the restoration of a
historic landscape.
"Fort Battleford is a cornerstone of our community and
this Government is making sure these historic treasures are maintained while
also creating jobs and encouraging tourism," said Minister Ritz. "This
funding will ensure that families across Battleford and Canada can continue to
visit and enjoy our rich heritage." read more
Legislative Changes Granting More Support for Allied Veterans
and Their Families Receives Royal Assent
OTTAWA, Ontario - June 18, 2009
- Amendments to the War Veterans Allowance Act extending benefits to Allied
veterans received Royal Assent today. Her Excellency the Governor General
of Canada assented to a Bill which enables Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to
extend benefits to low-income Allied Veterans of the Second World War and the
Korean War. Family members may also receive benefits. read more
Canada and Saskatchewan Invest to Expand Post-Secondary
Education Research Capacity
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - June 12, 2009 - The
governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are teaming up to invest more than $118
million in 21 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout
Saskatchewan. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science
and Technology), and the Honourable Rob Norris, Saskatchewan Minister of Advance
Education, Employment and Labour, made the annoucement today in Saskatoon.
read more
Harper Government Invests In Cutting Edge Science and
Innovation to Help Canadian Farmers
LACOMBE, Alberta - May 29, 2009 - The
Government of Canada is helping Canadian farmers turn new ideas and technologies
into viable market opportunities. The Growing Canadian Agri-Innovations
Program will invest $158 million to support industry-led innovation initiatives
that help get new agricultural products into the marketplace and improve
agricultural processes. read more
Proposed Improvements to Loans Act Will Give Farmers Better
Access to Credit
OTTAWA, Ontario - May 04, 2009 - Canadian
farmers who are finding it difficult to obtain loans due to the tightening of
global credit markets can count on the Government of Canada. Today,
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz introduced new legislation to guarantee an
estimated $1 billion in loans over the next five years to Canadian farm families
and cooperatives, most of which will go to farmers and cooperatives who were
previously ineligible. read more
Government of Canada Invests in North Battleford Theatre
NORTH BATTLEFORD, Saskatchewan - May 02, 2009
- The Government of Canada and Saskatchewan are partnering to deliver $14
million for a North Battleford performance theatre that will be part of a new
multiplex facility. Federal Agriculture Minister and MP for
Battlefords-Lloydminster, Gerry Ritz, and Minister of Municipal Affairs for
Saskatchewan, Bill Hutchinson, today announced the funding for North Battleford
and the signing of the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund Agreement are part of
our ongoing commitment to inject economic stimulus into our economy, support job
creation, and provide for safer and healthier communities. read more
Motion to
Ban Replacement Workers Struck Down
OTTAWA, Ontario - April 30, 2009
- Battlefords-Lloydminster MP, Gerry Ritz once again stood up for Canadians
and voted against M-294, a motion that seeks to ban replacement workers.
Similar to previous votes, MP Gerry Ritz continues to advocate against this type
of legislation. read more
Soft on
Crime NDP Opposes Will of Rural Voters
OTTAWA, Ontario - April 24, 2009 - NDP
Members of Parliament have betrayed their constituents and broken their
promises, says Battlefords-Lloydminster MP, Gerry Ritz. Rural NDP members
who promised during the past election to vote to end the long-gun registry voted
with the Bloc and Liberals on a Motion that will make law abiding citizens
criminals just because they own a long-gun and go hunting. read
more
Municipalities to receive double
Gas Tax funding
OTTAWA, Ontario - April 03, 2009
- Families, farmers and workers in Batllefords-Lloydminster will see faster
improvements to roads, bridges, public transit and other infrastructure thanks
to a doubling of the Gas Tax transfers to municipalities, says Member of
Parliament, Hon. Gerry Ritz. read
more
Afghanistan
Mission Online Tools
OTTAWA, Ontario - March
25, 2009 - Online tools designed to give Canadians more information about
Canada's mission in Afghanistan are now available. The e-tools
include downloadable videos and photos, an interactive map and social media
sites. They are available at www.afghanistan.gc.ca. read more



Farmers
Consulted on Agriculture Flexibility Program
OTTAWA, Ontario - March 04, 2009 - Farmers from
across the country will directly impact the design of the Government of Canada's
new agricultural flexibility program and other key policies through roundtable
discussions with Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz this week. read
more
CWB Must
Cooperate Fully With Auditor General - Ritz
OTTAWA, Ontario - February 26, 2022 - Today Agriculture Minister
Gerry Ritz issued a formal letter to the Canadian Wheat Board asking them to
allow the Auditor General to conduct a full audit of all operations.
Minister Ritz made the announcement druing his speech to the Canadian Federation
of Agriculture in response to the CWB's loss of nearly $130 million. read
more
Building
Communities
OTTAWA - February 20, 2022 - Communities in the riding of
Battlefords-Lloydminster and throughout Saskatchewan are benefitting today from
$95 million in joint government infrastructure funding announced under the
Building Canada Fund. "I'm pleased that in my constituency over $7.9
million is being invested in five water, road and sewer improvement projects
that will not only strengthen infrastructure but also the economy, through job
creation, at a time when it's most needed," says Battlefords-Lloydminster MP and
Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz. read
more
Canada and
Saudi Arabia Agree to Reopen Beef Market
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - February 17, 2009 -
Canadian beef exporters will have access to the lucrative Saudi Arabian market
for the first time since 2003. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the
announcement today following his meeting with Saudi Arabian Minister of Commerce
and Industry Abdullah Bin Ahmed Zeinal Alireza in Riyadh. read more
Canada Summer Jobs Program 2009
OTTAWA - February 12, 2022 - Regional Minister for
Saskatchewan and Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz, would like to remind
employers that the Canada Summer Jobs program is now underway. read more
The Government of Canada Opens Jordanian Market for Beef and
Cattle
OTTAWA - February 03, 2022 - The Government of Canada has
secured full market access for Canadian beef and cattle exports to Jordan.
International Trade Minister Stockwell Day and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz
today announced Jordan's decision to lift the ban imposed in 2003 because of
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). read more
Protecting
Canada During a Global Recession
OTTAWA - January 27, 2009 - Battlefords-Lloydminster
MP and Agriculture Minister, Hon. Gerry Ritz welcomes Budget 2009: Canada\'s
Economic Action Plan, as a bold multi-year stimulus that delivers significant
impacts. read more
Government of Canada Invests in New Opportunities for Biofuels
and Livestock Sector
OTTAWA - January 23, 2009 - The Government
of Canada is creating new economic opportunities in rural Canada by investing $6
million in the Feed Opportunities from the BioFuels Industries (FOBI) research
network that will work to develop and harness new market opportunities in the
ethanol and livestock sectors. read more
Cattle and Pork Producers Given More Time to Repay Cash
Advances
OTTAWA - January 23, 2009 - Cattle and hog
producers facing hard financial times now have until September 30, 2010, to
repay cash advances under the Advance Payment Program (APP). The extension
of the repayment deadline for livestock advances was announced today by
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. In addition, the first $100,000 of each
producer's advance will continue to be interest-free. read more
New Market Opportunities in India and Hong
Kong for Canadian Farmers

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry
Ritz concluded, on January 16, a trade mission to India and Hong Kong that
successfully created new marketing opportunities for Canadian farmers. read more
Tax Deferral to Benefit Farmers In Saskatchewan
OTTAWA - December 19, 2008 -
The Government of Canada is offering 2008 tax deferrals to producers who
have been dealing with drought in designated areas of Saskatchewan.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today announced that producers who
resorted to selling off cattle to avoid financial losses due to drought
conditions will be eligible for a one-year tax deferral on 2008 income from
those stales. read more
Olympic Torch to Visit Battlefords-Lloydminster
NORTH BATTLEFORD - November
21, 2008 -
The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister Responsible for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, joined by the Honourable James Moore,
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announced the official
route of the Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay today. read
more
Gerry Ritz Attends Opening of Ethanol Facility
BELLE PLAINE - August 08, 2021 - Gerry Ritz with Tim
LaFrance and Bill Boyd at the opening of Terra Grain Fuels ethanol
plant.