Prime Minister Stephen Harper shuffled his Conservative government’s cabinet yesterday and, drum roll please…not much, if anything, will change for the agriculture industry. Gerry Ritz remains as Agriculture Minister and Ed Fast stays on as Minister of Trade.
There are a few new names in the agriculture fold, as Maxime Bernier takes on the role of minister of state for agriculture, but the portfolio essentially remains the same. Industry groups, including the Canola Council of Canada, were quick to virtually high-five the announcement, stating the current commitment to trade and logistics is one the group is happy to see continue.
In true RealAgriculture.com fashion, we took to Twitter to get Gerry Ritz re-appointment reaction from the farmer populous of both Western and Eastern Canada. The reviews were mixed — some farmers are steamed over the gutting of the PFRA pasture program. Others are pleased with the end of the CWB monopoly that he pushed through. Below is some of the reaction to the news. Have your say in the comment section at that bottom of this page! Follow RealAgriculture.com on Twitter here.
@realag_lyndsey guess I have to watch my blood pressure a bit longer. It always gets high I when I see/hear him
— Verral Scriven (@VerralScriven) July 16, 2013
@realag_lyndsey Very content. He’s been overall very hard working, available, and good for us #westcdnag
— Allison Ammeter (@AAmmeter) July 15, 2013
@realag_lyndsey the devil you know? Looks like a minor revamp to head down the stretch to the next election
— Jim Hale (@farmerjim79) July 15, 2013
@realag_lyndsey It certainly says something positive when you are one of only a handful of senior Ministers to keep the same portfolio…
— Dennis Prouse (@Dennis_Prouse) July 15, 2013