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Prime Minister announces changes to the Ministry
June 28, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario
NEWS RELEASE
Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced that he has accepted the decision of the Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario), the Honourable Joseph Comuzzi, to resign from Cabinet.
The Prime Minister also announced that the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-foods, will assume the responsibility of Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario) effective immediately.
“I want to express my gratitude to Mr. Comuzzi for his service to the country as Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario). It was with reluctance but also with the greatest respect that I accepted his decision to step aside. Mr. Comuzzi is a man of great integrity and conviction, and I certainly understand how difficult his decision has been for him.”
“I know that Minister Mitchell will bring his full commitment to his additional responsibilities in respect of the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario”.
Biography is attached.
List of full Ministry
THE HONOURABLE ANDREW MITCHELL
Parry Sound-Muskoka (Ontario)
Andy Mitchell was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993. Since July 2004, he has served as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. In 2003, he was appointed Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. He had previously served as Secretary of State (Parks) and Secretary of State (Rural Development) (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario).
He has served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Vice-Chair of the Industry Committee, Chair of the Federal Liberal Caucus Task Force on Access to Capital by Small Business, member of the Ministerial Task Force on Disability and Canadians, and Chair of the Northern Ontario Caucus.
Prior to becoming a member of Parliament, Mr. Mitchell had a 20-year career in banking. He has also been involved in numerous business associations, serving as President of the Northeastern Ontario, Elliot Lake and Gravenhurst Chambers of Commerce, and as a Director of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. He was also active on the Elliot Lake and Gravenhurst Economic Development Committees.
A graduate of Carleton University, Mr. Mitchell is married to Christine Hodson-Mitchell and has four children.
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