The Northwest has its first federal cabinet minister since 2005.
On Monday, in a cabinet shuffle most say was more about electioneering than anything else, Conservative MP Greg Rickford of Kenora made the leap into Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s inner circle.
Rickford, a loyal subject who has toed the party line since coming to office in 2008, was named Minister of State for Science and Technology and also takes over the FedNor portfolio.
While we have some reservations about his commitment to the former – after all, he did support Harper’s decision to shut down the Experimental Lakes Area – Rickford being put in charge of FedNor could be good for the regional development agency’s future.
Under former minister Tony Clement’s oversight, FedNor almost seemed like an afterthought.
With the Ring of Fire weighing heavily on everyone’s future in the region, the portfolio needs strong guidance and someone who can take the lead with the Aboriginal community and help smooth the negotiation waters with the province.
For the Ring of Fire to go forward, all sides will need a commitment from the federal (and provincial) government to ensure the necessary infrastructure is put in place, roads, rail and energy being first and foremost along those lines. Rickford, being from the area, understands that all too well.
