Mary Jean McFall. (LeedsGrenville.Liberal.ca)

Tories challenge ag minister on chief of staff

The federal Conservatives want the House of Commons’ agriculture committee to probe the hiring of a Canadian egg processing heiress as chief of staff to the ag minister. Tory ag critic Chris Warkentin on Wednesday called on both Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and his new chief of staff, Mary Jean McFall, to testify before the […] Read more

Gerry Ritz, shown here in Winnipeg in April, may be a tough act to follow in the ag portfolio for a Liberal government with a limited depth chart in the ag sector. (Dave Bedard photo)

Binkley: Speculation swirls on Grits’ successor for Ritz

The guessing game on whom the next agriculture minister will be is well underway in Ottawa although no obvious choice stands out. Whoever Justin Trudeau selects will find Gerry Ritz a tough act to follow. During his eight years in the portfolio, he has put an increasing production and export stamp on the industry. And […] Read more