Ottawa - Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville, today was named Chair of the Ontario Caucus by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"I am honored to have been chosen by the Prime Minister to fill this important position in the new government," says Brown.

As caucus chair, he will ensure that Ontario issues are presented to the National Caucus Chair and other provincial chairs. The Ontario caucus is the largest provincial caucus in the new government. It meets weekly to discuss issues of importance to the province.

"There are 47 members of this caucus including all Conservative MPs representing ridings in Ontario along with Ontario Senators," explains Brown.

"It is important that all members of our caucus have every opportunity to advance important issues. The regional caucus structure will help give all of our caucus members more opportunities to fully represent their constituents," says Prime Minister Harper.