Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz is one of the most travelled ministers in the Conservative government, likely rubbing shoulders over the years with more foreign ministers than the foreign affairs minister.
In his six years as minister, Ritz has logged tens of thousands of kilometres on trade trips and international conferences in scores of countries, and he has a track record of success.
He seems to have an affinity with agriculture and foreign ministers whom he meets, from Russia and Japan to Colombia and the United States.
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So when prime minister Stephen Harper was considering his new cabinet last month, why wouldn’t Ritz be in the running to be the prestigious foreign affairs minister?
There likely are many reasons, including that he wouldn’t have been interested, but here’s the main one — the Ritz sense of humour would be a tad too raw for the delicate ears of diplomats.
Take, for example, his speech to the U.S. Grains Council in Ottawa in late July when he castigated the U.S. for its country-of-origin-labelling regime that is hurting Canadian livestock exporters.
That’s fair game. Foreign affairs minister John Baird has said the same to U.S. audiences.
Then, in response to a question from the audience, Ritz noted that producer groups in both countries are suing the U.S. government over the rule.
He said the Canadian government supports the action but is not part of it because it is difficult for one country to sue another without going to war.
Earlier in his speech he had noted that Canada is marking the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, when American invaders were repulsed and British/Canadian troops had marched into the United States.
The American questioner wondered why the minister was not more fiery in his opposition.
“I referenced before 1812,” said Ritz. “Don’t make us do it again, but we will if we have to.”
The farmer audience laughed at the joke about Canada invading the U.S.
A roomful of pinstripes? Maybe not so much.
