Kenora MP named minister of FedNor, Science and Technology

Kenora MP Greg Rickford was appointed the new minister of Science and Technology as well as the minister responsible for FedNor during Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet shuffle announcement on July 15.
As the new FedNor minister, Rickford is now in charge of the federal government’s investments in the Ring of Fire chromite mining project in northwestern Ontario, specifically the government’s plan to improve skills development training so that the mine will have the workers it needs to operate.
Until the appointment, Rickford has worked on the FedNor program as a Parliamentary Secretary under the leadership of outgoing minister Tony Clement, who was the longest serving minister for the program. Rickford has also previously served as parliamentary secretary to the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada (AANDC) minister.
“I am humbled by the responsibility the Prime Minister has placed in me,” Rickford said in a media release. “I am looking forward to working with my cabinet colleagues as we focus on creating jobs and growing Canada’s economy.”
Given his new role in the Far North, Rickford will be working with a provincial minister on the Ring of Fire issues: Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle.
“I sincerely congratulate Greg on this exciting new position,” Gravelle said in media release. “Mr. Rickford and I have worked closely on many issues in the past and I am excited about the opportunities we will now have to work together on issues of great importance to all Northerners, particularly as they relate to economic development in the North.”
Bernard Valcourt remains the AANDC minister, a post he has held since February.
Nunavat MP Leona Aglukkaq, who was criticized last fall by NAN leaders for refusing to politically interfere with the regulatory approval process for a generic form of OxyContin, moves from the Health to the Environment portfolio.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty retained his position.