to Environment Minister Catherine McKenna). Ritz deleted the original post within 20 minutes, afterward posted another message stating: "I apologize for the use of Barbie, it is not reflective of the role the Minister plays". Conservative leader Andrew Scheer condemned Ritz's comment later in the day and stated he would reach out to McKenna personally to "assure the minister that this type of behavior has no place in the Conservative caucus". The next day Ritz's office issued a statement confirming his resignation from the House of Commons effective October 2, 2017. Ritz's successor, Rosemarie Falk, was elected in a by-election on December 11, 2017. Post federal politics In 2020, Ritz was elected as the reeve for the Rural Municipality of Mervin No. 499. In 2022, he was involved in helping create the Saskatchewan United Party. Electoral Record References External links Gerry Ritz official site 1951 births Members of the 28th Canadian Ministry Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Saskatchewan Reform Party of Canada MPs Canadian Alliance MPs Conservative Party of Canada MPs Living people Canadian construction businesspeople Farmers from Saskatchewan