Prime Minister Appoints Jay Hill Secretary of State

Thursday, January 4, 2007

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the appointment of the Honourable Jay Hill, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, as Secretary of State. Mr. Hill will assume his new role in addition to his current duties as Chief Government Whip.

“Jay Hill has been appointed as a Secretary of State to assist him in his job as Chief Government Whip in this minority government,” explained Prime Minister Harper. “He will be working closely with me and I look forward to his contribution.”

“I am honoured that the Prime Minister saw fit to demonstrate his confidence in me by assigning me further responsibilities in our Conservative Government,” said Hill. ”As Secretary of State, my working relationship with my caucus and cabinet colleagues will be expanded and enhanced, as well as my ability to represent the interests of my constituents and all Canadians.”

This is only the third time in Canadian Parliamentary history that a serving Chief Government Whip has been sworn-in as a Secretary of State. Mr. Hill’s appointment was part of Prime Minister Harper’s announcement designed to strengthen his ministerial team as Canada’s Conservative Government enters its second year in office.

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For more information, contact Jay Hill at
(613) 947-4524 or (250) 787-1194.