Wild Rose MP Blake Richards was named hardest working Member of Parliament and best constituency MP as part of The Hill Times 23rd annual Political Savvy Survey released May 11.
The survey, which gathered responses from a total of 115 people working “in and around” federal politics, included respondents from the Conservative, NDP and Liberal parties. The results were weighted based on party standings in the House of Commons.
“It’s humbling. It’s a real honour and a privilege to be able to represent my constituents in Parliament,” Richards said. “I have a lot of colleagues that work very hard. To be recognized for two years in a row as the hardest working MP is something that is a big honour.”
Richards is a two-term Member of Parliament, having first been elected on Oct. 14, 2008. He was re-elected on May 2, 2011, and currently chairs the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
“The biggest thing for me, is to be able to look at the opportunity to be able to carry forward constituents’ concerns and see government take action on them,” he said. “The reason you do the hard work that you do is to make sure your constituents’ concerns are brought forward.”
Richards pointed to a 2010 national petition he helmed as an example of his dedication to meeting the concerns of local voters. The petition, which came in response to convicted sex offender Graham James receiving a pardon for his offences in 2007, prompted a new law which limited pardons for serious crimes.
“A constituent in Airdrie, Amy Stewart, had some real concerns based on personal experiences,” he said. “To hear (James) was being pardoned, to be able to work with (Stewart) and start a national petition, that’s being able to work with the constituency on something you need to be able to fix.”
“That to me is something that is so gratifying about the job that I do.”
Richards has also spearheaded the Rocky Mountain Hockey Night fundraiser, the proceeds of which benefit RCMP Victims Services Units in Airdrie and other areas of the Wild Rose riding. To date, the fundraisers have raised more than $370,000.
“Doing this job, it’s not just me. I’ve got a staff that works extremely hard,” Richards said. “I couldn’t do the work that I do (without them). Their work enables me to focus on people in the riding.”
Richards said he hoped to continue working to develop industries essential to the riding.
“I continue to have a large focus on the tourism industry. In Banff and Canmore, it’s a very significant industry. In Airdrie, you’ve got so many airport workers and that’s a very important part of creating a lot of jobs in our community,” he said.
“I feel we’ve been able to make a difference in the (federal) budget. The changes we have in there are a result of the hard work myself and others in the tourism industry have put in.”
The federal budget, which was tabled on April 21 in the House of Commons, included a number of new promises geared towards benefiting students, seniors and families.
Richards will be speaking at a session hosted by the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce at the Airdrie Ramada Inn on May 20 to discuss the federal budget with chamber members and local businesses.
“I will come in and give an outline of the Economic Action Plan 2015, and lay out the measures,” he said. “Things that will better support families, things that will make the cost of living easier for seniors.”
“We have many small businesses in Airdrie. They’ll be able to invest more into their businesses because they’ll have a smaller tax bill.”
Doors for the session will open at 8 a.m., and guests can register at airdriechamber.ab.ca
Following Richards’ speech, guests will have an opportunity to ask questions.
