OTTAWA — Gerry Ritz, one of the longest serving Conservative members of Parliament, is leaving federal political life. Sources tell The Canadian Press the former agriculture minister and MP for a Saskatchewan riding is expected to make the announcement this week. Ritz was first elected in 1997 as a member of the Reform Party, and went on to win his seat in every subsequent federal election. Or should I say cold cuts.”He later apologized for the remark, which Harper’s office had called tasteless and completely inappropriate. Just after the Tories were reduced to Opposition status last election, Ritz told the Manitoba Cooperator his wife had hoped he wouldn’t run again in the 2015 race, but he felt had unfinished business.

Source: National Post August 30, 2017 23:17 UTC