Ottawa, Ontario - Cheryl Gallant, MP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, was pleased recently to acknowledge in the House of Commons that politics in the Ottawa valley  may never be the same now that Ron Tracey has retired from the newspaper business.

Hansard November 16, 2007.
Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Conservative):

Mr. Speaker, politics will not be same in the Ottawa Valley with the announcement that Ron Tracey, co-owner and publisher of the Eganville Leader, after 51 years is calling it quits.

Ron was joined in the business by his younger brother Gerald who will continue the family tradition in the newspaper.  The Leader is one of the few remaining family-owned, independent weekly newspapers still publishing in Canada.

My supporters in Eganville tell me that this is a great cause for celebration, as Ron is known as a local Grit as opposed to his more sensible younger brother, Gerald, who has been known to uphold the Conservative cause in the Ottawa Valley.

The moving on of Ron in some ways mirrors the change in the Ottawa Valley when after almost 70 years, I retired the previous member in his party.  In Ron's case, his decision is his own.

All kidding aside, on behalf of the people of the Ottawa Valley, we wish Ron and Elaine the best in retirement.

“After 51 years in the newspaper business Ron, take your well deserved rest. I am sure that you will have no trouble keeping busy!” concluded MP Cheryl Gallant.