Ralph Goodale was appointed Minister of Finance in Canada on 12 December 2003. He was first elected as Member of Parliament in 1974 at the age of 24 and returned to the House in October 1993. He was re-elected in the 1997 and 2000 general elections. In November 1993, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.

He served as Minister of Natural Resources from June 1997 until January 2002, when he became Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. On 26 May 2002, he was appointed Minister of Public Works and Government Services. He has also been the Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. In addition, he has been responsible for the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution.

From 1981 to 1988, Mr. Goodale served as Leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party and in 1986, was elected a member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

Raised on the family farm near Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Mr. Goodale was educated at the University of Regina (B. A.) and the University of Saskatchewan (LL. B.). He is married to Pamela.