The Bow Valley’s representative in Ottawa has been picked to chair a parliamentary caucus on tourism.
Wildrose MP Blake Richards said Monday (Sept. 26) he is excited and thrilled with the new position, which supports minister of state for small business and tourism Maxime Bernier.
Richards said the all-party committee is responsible for engaging the tourism industry across the country and ensuring its concerns are being brought forward.
“It is something that affects every riding in the country and some more than others,” he said. “Canmore and Banff and the whole Bow Valley is extremely reliant on the tourism industry so I felt it was a good fit.”
Richards said with such major tourism destinations in his riding, his time in office has had a lot of focus on these issues and he understands how important it is to the local and national economy.
“Tourism is such a huge part of the economy, not just in my riding but across the country,” he said. “To be able to be a voice for that industry and delve into these issues, I’m thrilled and excited by it.”
This is Richard’s first time as chairman of a committee in Ottawa and his second term in office after replacing Myron Thompson.
He said he will take full advantage of the opportunity to promote the Bow Valley.
Tourism is a $64 billion sector of the Canadian economy and employs more than 617,000 people.
“With Banff National Park making up such a large portion of his constituency, I know that Blake has a good deal of experience dealing with the range of issues related to tourism as well as a strong relationship with the tourism industry in his riding and across Canada,” Bernier said in a press release.
