Prime Minister Harper announces appointment of Helena Guergis as Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport)

Today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment of Helena Guergis, Member of Parliament for Simcoe–Grey, Ontario, as Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport).

“Helena Guergis is a hard-working and impressive two-term Member of Parliament from Ontario. She will work with Minister Peter MacKay and Minister David Emerson on protecting and advancing Canada’s interest and values on the world stage,” commented the Prime Minister.  “She will also take on the additional responsibility of Secretary of State (Sport), assisting Minister Bev Oda. She will be an excellent representative for our athletes and our athletic community.”

Helena Guergis’ appointment was part of Prime Minister Harper’s announcement designed to strengthen his ministerial team as well as create six Secretaries of State, as Canada’s New Government gets ready for the return of Parliament and its second year in office.

Biographical notes are attached.

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The Honourable Helena Guergis

Helena Guergis was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. In February 2006, Ms. Guergis was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade.

Most recently, Ms. Guergis has served on the standing committees on International Trade and on the Status of Women. Previously, she served as Official Opposition Critic on a number of files and as a member of standing committees.

Prior to her election, Ms. Guergis was a policy advisor to the former Ontario Finance Minister, Janet Ecker, and worked for Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature, Joe Tascona. She has also owned a small business. 

Ms. Guergis has volunteered with the Barrie Rape Crisis Centre and has contributed to fundraising efforts for a local food bank for several years. She has also been a literacy tutor for seniors.   

Ms. Guergis was born in Barrie, Ontario, in 1969.