Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper has appointed a new agriculture critic and promoted a rookie Saskatchewan MP to be deputy opposition leader.
Gerry Ritz, 51, a Rosetown, Sask., businessman and farmer in his second parliamentary term, becomes the opposition agriculture critic in the shadow cabinet.
He replaces Manitoba farmer Howard Hilstrom, who does not plan to run in the next election.
Southern Saskatchewan MP David Anderson remains Canadian Wheat Board critic but has also been put in charge of organizing the daily Question Period when the House of Commons is sitting.
Carol Skelton, an elk farmer from west of Saskatoon, becomes the party’s deputy leader, replacing Alberta physician Grant Hill.
Peace River, Alta., grain farmer Charlie Penson become trade critic after being shuffled from his finance critic role.
