Incumbent Blake Richards has announced his intentions to seek a fourth term as Conservative MP for Airdrie-Banff in the 2019 federal election.
The Olds native, whose proclivity for politics is possibly matched by his appetite for the sport of hockey, made his intentions clear at a catered brunch he hosted for around 70 people at the Cochrane Legion on Nov. 18.
“Ten years ago last night I sat across town in Frank Wills Memorial Hall and heard my name announced as a candidate,” said Richards, reflecting on his personal highlights serving the area constituency as their public service representative.
Airdrie’s Sarah and Lee Cormier introduced Richards. The pair founded Quinn’s Legacy, a society that supports families financially after the death of an infant and named in honour of their late infant daughter, Quinn Isla Cormier, who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in late 2014.
The Cormiers commended Richards for his support upon learning of the couple’s plight, having lost all parental benefits the day their daughter died.
Richards has since taken up the cause and has been working toward changing the law so parents faced with the sudden death of an infant can receive bereavement leave, or a minimum of six weeks paid leave, which would provide financial reprieve during the grieving process.
This prompted Motion 110, which is anticipated to be debated in the House of Commons in early 2018.
Richards touts Bill C-309 as one of his career highlights. The private member’s bill bans the wearing of masks during a riot or unlawful assembly and carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Richards presented the bill in 2011 and it was made law in 2013.
“That’s what this job is all about – an opportunity to identify a problem and fix it,” said the MP of the bill that was inspired by the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot.
Other highlights for Richards include the completion of the Banff Legacy Trail; twinning of Veteran’s Boulevard in Airdrie; area recreational facility builds and enhancements; support and funding for victim’s services; opening the grain industry to the free market under the Harper government; and Conservatives eliminating the long-gun registry.
Recently, Richards has been a voice against the small business tax plans by the current Liberal government, served on the special committee for electoral reform and pushed for a national referendum; spoke to the need for improved screening of refugees; provided ongoing support to the Alberta oil sands for its “commitment to high environmental standards,” rather than supporting oil from the Middle East.
“Eighty one per cent of middle class families are worse off today than before this government,” said Richards.
He has also provided support for Cochranite Dan Kroffat’s anti-theft poppy donation boxes that have been making headlines for the last several weeks.
Richards’ pre-House of Commons professional background is a mix of real estate, oil field and agriculture-related industries and community service includes volunteer firefighting and being a minor hockey coach.
