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Ritz scheduled for federal agriculture leaders debate

At least one debate stage this fall is expected to include federal Conservative Agriculture and Agrifoods Minister Gerry Ritz.
Gerry Ritz
A federal by-election will be held on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in the electoral district of Battlefords–Lloydminster to fill the vacancy left in the House of Commons by the retirement of Gerry Ritz.

At least one debate stage this fall is expected to include federal Conservative Agriculture and Agrifoods Minister Gerry Ritz.

Ritz, who is seeking another term representing Battlefords-Lloydminster in the House of Commons, is slated to be in Ottawa as the Canadian Federation of Agriculture hosts a National Agriculture Leaders debate in advance of the federal election.

The debate is set for Sept. 30 starting at 11a.m. Eastern Time, or 9 a.m. Central Standard Time, and will run for two hours. 

According to a CFA media release from Aug. 31, Ritz is set to be one of the participants in the debate. Ritz also took part in the debate hosted by the CFA during the 2011 election.

The other 2015 party representatives are all sitting MPs, including NDP agriculture critic Malcolm Allen of Welland (running in Niagara Centre), Liberal agriculture critic Mark Eyking of Sydney-Victoria and Bruce Hyer, Green Party deputy leader, of Thunder Bay- Superior North.

The Bloq Québécois has also been invited, but their representative is still to be determined.

The debate takes place at the Laurier Room of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel and will offer each of the parties the opportunity to highlight their positions on the issues facing Canadian farmers.

For those not attending in person, a live webcast will be available and those interested can register at their website www.cfa-fca.ca.