Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines/Minister of Indigenous Affairs
Greg Rickford was elected as MPP for Kenora-Rainy River in June 2018 and sworn in as Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Indigenous Affairs.
Instilled with the values of hard work and public service from a young age, Greg has earned degrees in common and civil law from McGill University, and an MBA from Laval University. Those values brought Greg to the remote First Nations communities of Northern Ontario as a young man where he worked as a nurse and lawyer. Greg’s experience led him to understand the issues and opportunities that face the Kenora-Rainy River riding. As a federal Member of Parliament, Greg made improving economic and infrastructure conditions for First Nations in the area one of his core goals.
He was the first Conservative MP ever elected in the 84-year history of the Kenora riding. In 2013, Greg was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister of State (Science and Technology) and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor). In 2014, he was promoted to the Minister of Natural Resources while retaining his responsibilities for FedNor. Previously, Greg had served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor).
Between 2015 and 2018, Minister Rickford practiced law and served as a strategic advisor to a number of companies and organizations specializing in natural resources, indigenous affairs, health, and legal matters. Greg and his wife Janet have two daughters, Abigail Mae and Poppy Kate.
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