- Gerry Ritz
Infobox CanadianMP
honorific-prefix =The Honourable
name = Gerry Ritz
honorific-suffix =
PC, MP
riding =Battlefords—Lloydminster
parliament = Canadian
term_start = 1997 federal election
term_end =
predecessor = "new riding"
successor =
birth_date = birth date and age|1951|08|19
birth_place =Delisle, Saskatchewan
death_date =
death_place =
party = Conservative
otherparty = Reform (1997-2000)Canadian Alliance (2000-2003)
portfolio =Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
profession = Construction contractor, politician
spouse = Judy Fleury [ [http://www.gerryritzmp.com/biography.html] ]
residence = North Battleford,Saskatchewan
footnotes =Gerry Ritz, PC, MP (born
August 19 ,1951 ) is Canada's Agriculture minister and a CanadianMember of Parliament forBattlefords—Lloydminster , a largely rural riding inSaskatchewan . Born inDelisle, Saskatchewan , he was elected as the Reform Party candidate in 1997, and then re-elected with theCanadian Alliance in 2000 and theConservative Party of Canada in 2004. Ritz has been the vice-chair of the House of CommonsAgriculture Committee since 2002. He was appointed Secretary of State for small business and tourism in the Harper government on January 4, 2006. OnAugust 14 2007 , Ritz was promoted to the Cabinet asMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food replacingChuck Strahl [ [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070814/harper_cabinet_070814/20070814?hub=TopStories] ] .Prior to his political career, Ritz worked as a farmer at the family farm for over 20 years and owned a contracting business company.
Ritz is married since 1975 and has two children.
Remarks during 2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak
On
September 17 ,2008 , Ritz made national news, when negative comments he made onAugust 30 ,2008 , in response to the2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak were made public. Ritz 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 inPrince Edward Island , Ritz said, "Please tell me it's (Liberal MP)Wayne Easter ." Ritz has apologized for his remarks, however, various groups have called for his resignation. NDP LeaderJack Layton has responded by saying, "Canadians are dying because of the mismanagement of our government . . . there should absolutely never be that kind of humour... It illustrates the government is not taking this matter as seriously as they should." A spokesperson for Harper released a statement saying Ritz comments were tasteless and completely inappropriate. [cite news|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080917/ritz_comments_080917/20080917?s_name=election2008|title=Ritz sorry for 'tasteless' Listeria comments|accessdate=2008-09-17]Stephen Harper refused to seek the resignation of Ritz for making light of the listeriosis deaths of 17 Canadians. [Cite web
last = Brian Laghi, Campbell Clark, Karen Howlett
title = Harper stands by Ritz despite 'tasteless' jokes
accessdate = 2008-09-18
date = 2008-09-18
url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080918.welxnritzmain0918/BNStory/politics/home?cid=al_gam_mostemail]On
September 18 ,2008 the son of a woman whose death in August was linked to the nationwide listeriosis outbreak called for the firing of Ritz. Dennis Schroh's mother, Elizabeth Schroh, died on Aug. 24 at the age of 82. She was a resident of a nursing home located in the riding Ritz represents as a member of Parliament. Schroh told The Canadian Press he was upset when he found out that Ritz had joked about the deadly outbreak during a conference call with scientists and political officials just six days after his mother's death. [Cite web
last = Rod Nickel
title = Son of listeriosis victim 'very hurt' by minister's joke
accessdate = 2008-09-19
url = http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=e28925b0-1bc5-4dd7-8204-10e87175544e] [Cite web
last = CTV News Staff
title = Son of Listeriosis victim calls for Ritz's firing
accessdate = 2008-09-18
url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080917/Easter_comments_080918/20080918?s_name=election2008]References
External links
* [http://www.gerryritzmp.com Official Site]
* [http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=78869&Language=E Parliament Webpage]
###@@@KEY@@@###ministry box cabinet posts 1
post1 = Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
post1years = from 14-Aug-2007
post1note =
post1preceded =Chuck Strahl
post1followed = Incumbent
ministry box sub-cabinet posts 1
post1 = Secretary of State (Small Business & Tourism)
post1years = from 4-Jan-2007
post1note =
post1preceded = NEW POSITION
post1followed =Diane Ablonczy
s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament forBattlefords—Lloydminster
years=1997–
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