Greg Rickford

Who is Greg Rickford?

Greg Rickford, PC, is a Canadian politician serving as the Minister of Natural Resources in the cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Rickford was elected to represent the Ontario electoral district of Kenora in the 2008 federal election and re-elected in the 2011 election. He has previously served as the Minister of State and as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Prior to entering electoral politics, Rickford worked as a nurse and lawyer in the remote First Nations communities of the Kenora District. Rickford holds degrees in common and civil law from McGill University and an MBA from Laval University. He made improving economic and infrastructure conditions for First Nations in the area one of his central campaign themes.

A member of the Conservative Party of Canada, Rickford is the first Conservative MP elected in the Kenora riding, and the first centre-right MP to represent the Kenora area since 1921. He is a member of the House of Commons Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. Rickford also chaired the All Party Tourism Caucus for the 40th Parliament.