Minister: The Honourable Gerry Ritz

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

Battlefords-Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.

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 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.

Contact Minister Ritz

Parliamentary Secretaries

• David Anderson
• Pierre Lemieux