Secretary of State
The Honourable Christian Paradis
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment of Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for Megantic-L'Erable, Quebec, as Secretary of State (Agriculture) on January 4, 2007.
Christian Paradis was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources in 2006, and was a member of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and the Legislative Committee on Bill C-30, Canada's Clean Air Act.
Prior to his election, Mr. Paradis practised corporate law in Thetford Mines, Quebec. He served as President of the Asbestos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Secretary of the Management Club of Canada (Asbestos Chapter). He has been involved in several support groups and charitable organizations.
Mr. Paradis has a bachelor's degree in civil law from the University of Sherbrooke and has a graduate degree in corporate law from Laval University.
The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, followed through on the federal government's commitment to rural Canadians by asking Mr. Paradis to begin work on an action plan for Rural Canada on May 17, 2007. Mr. Paradis will also be taking on the government's interests in the areas of rural and co-operative development.
Mr. Paradis was born in Thetford Mines. He is married to Julie Roberge and they have three children.