Rick Dykstra

dykstra-headshot
• Rick grew up and was educated in St. Catharines

•  Holds a Bachelor of Political Science degree from Brock University

•  Was a two-term St. Catharines City Councilor (1991-97) for St. Patrick’s Ward

•  Became the Member of Parliament for St. Catharines on January 23, 2006

•  Rick was re-elected to the 40th Parliament on October 14th, 2008 with a vastly increased margin of victory.

•  On November 7th, 2008 Rick had the honour of being appointed by the Prime Minister as the Parliamentary Secretary to Jason Kenney, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. In this role, Rick is responsible for the leadership of the Conservative M.P.s on the House Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, periodically representing Minister Jason Kenney in Question Period, and travelling around the country to discuss immigration issues, such as human smuggling, the temporary foreign worker program, and immigrant settlement services, with Canadians.

•  Locally, Rick has been focused on delivering for the people of St. Catharines and over the past 5 years he has brought unprecedented amounts of federal funding to the city, including delivering funding for the Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex at Brock University, the Niagara District Airport, the downtown Performing Arts Centre and several revitalization projects in Port Dalhousie.

•  Prior to being elected as the Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, Rick was partner in a successful public affairs business operating out of Niagara and Toronto. Previously, Rick spent five years working in a number of roles in the Ontario provincial government. Most notably, Rick was Director of Caucus relations for two Provincial Premiers and served as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Community and Social Services.

•  Rick also had a distinguished political career at the municipal level. At the age of 25, Rick was elected as a representative for his community. From 1991-1997, Rick served two terms on St. Catharines city council representing St. Patrick’s Ward. During that time, Rick sat as chair of the Finance Committee that froze taxes for two consecutive years, a feat that has not been accomplished since.

•  Rick has a degree in Political Science from Brock University, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from York University. He also served for twelve years as president of Dykstra Landscaping, a family owned and operated business.

• Rick and his wife Kathy are lifelong residents of St. Catharines and are the proud parents of three children, Zachary, Jessica and Lauren.

 

Visit RickStoodUpForUs.ca for more information about investments brought to the St Catharines riding.

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