Rickford receives promotion from Prime Minister Stephen Harper

News — 07 September 2010

Kenora District MP, Greg Rickford has been appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as the Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages. Attending a foundational briefing in Ottawa last week, Rickford will work hand in hand with Cabinet Minister James Moore, and Dean Del Mastro, who is the Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage.

“Official Languages deals with the enhancement and training of official languages across Canada,” explains Rickford. “It supports all federal government departments, institutions, and agencies in coordinating any government of Canada activities on official languages.”

Rickford states a part of his new title is ensuring access to official languages should be available for all government departments, as well as including programs across Canada and ensuring a continued bilingual presence across the country.

“I’m involved with a program that essentially delivers over a billion dollars across the country for programs involved in anything to do with cultural development, translators, programs delivered through Canadian Heritage that showcase artists or authors in English or French and need them translated,” Rickford explains. “There are programs available to help so we can enjoy literature more broadly.”

The MP feels this is really a vote of confidence from the Prime Minister, and that not only can the Kenora team keep the priorities of the riding at the top of this government’s agenda but also for the Kenora riding to participate in issues more broad and national in scope.

“I am very pleased and honoured that I have this opportunity and I think it’s a great way to continue to grow the profile of Kenora within the government. I’m very excited and very proud,” relays the Conservative MP.

Rickford feels that the Kenora riding is doing a great job of bringing northern issues into the most serious consideration of this government.

“It’s a real credit to my team, and they’re just a super group of people who work very hard in the riding with me,” commends Rickford. “We’ve attended an unprecedented number of events around the whole riding including a great deal of time in First Nations communities.”

By Ally Dunham

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