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Ralph Goodale — Wascana

Canada’s former Finance Minister, Ralph Goodale, is the Member of Parliament for the Regina-area constituency of Wascana and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He began this latter role in September of 2010, following more than four years as Liberal Opposition House Leader in the turbulence of a minority Parliament.

Mr. Goodale holds the distinction of being selected by his peers as Canada’s first-ever “Parliamentarian of the Year” in 2006.

Raised on a family farm near Wilcox, Saskatchewan, and educated at both the University of Regina (BA-71) and the University of Saskatchewan (LLB-72), Ralph Goodale has practical experience in business, agriculture, law and broadcasting, as well as federal and provincial politics.

He was first elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1974 at the age of 24, representing the sprawling rural constituency of Assiniboia. In the 1980’s, he served as Leader of the provincial Liberal Party, and was elected to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 1986.

Mr. Goodale returned to the House of Commons in 1993 as the M.P. for Wascana, and was subsequently re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011. In government for more than 12 years, he served in the federal Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Natural Resources, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister of Public Works and finally Minister of Finance. During his tenure, Canada recorded strong economic growth, balanced budgets, declining debt, lower taxes, and the best fiscal performance in the western world.

Ralph Goodale and his spouse, Pamela, make their home in Regina.

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Ralph Goodale in the news

TV ads in hockey games or jobs for youth?
May 16, 2013
Earlier this spring, the Harper Conservatives faced a choice in their spending plans. They could invest in jobs for unemployed young Canadians (especially summer jobs for students). Or they could waste your tax dollars on expensive television advertising about their so-called "economic action plan" which is obviously a miserable failure as far as young people are concerned. They chose the ads. Hundreds of them. More »
A more open, inclusive vote for Leadership
April 8, 2013
Some 127,000 Canadians are eligible to cast ballots (instead of the previous restricted number of just 5,000). They have this whole week to vote. The results will be tabulated and announced next Sunday, April 14th. As a consequence, this Liberal Leadership selection process will be the most open, inclusive and democratic in history. More »
Sign Bob Rae’s thank you card
March 27, 2013
Bob Rae was there when our Party needed him. He fought to see a better Canada – one with a government that truly reflects your values. Now as part of the Thanks a Million Bob campaign, you can thank Bob for his hard work and outstanding contribution. Please click here to add your name and comment to our special thank you card for Bob Rae: More »
Fairness and growth should be budget pillars
March 18, 2013
So the long-delayed federal budget will finally be delivered this week. Will it be worth the wait? I’m not too hopeful. Whenever Stephen Harper is asked about the economy, he resorts to two spin-lines that offer little encouragement to most Canadians. More »
Show Bob the love
February 14, 2013
Liberals owe Bob Rae a debt of gratitude for all he has done to rebuild the Liberal Party over his term as interim leader. In the lead-up to the Leadership Vote in April, we have a launched a special fundraising campaign to raise one million dollars for the Liberal Party in Bob's name - so that the new Leader can begin with a well-resourced, strong start. More »