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Wild Rose MP Blake Richards was recently appointed to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

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Wild Rose MP appointed to two key committees

Wild Rose MP Blake Richards has been appointed to two House of Commons committees.

Richards has joined the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI) as well as the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANO).

“Both committees have big issues that we are dealing with, so I am excited to be part of them,” said Richards. “They both have an impact on the riding.”

As part of the AGRI committee, Richards, who grew up on a farm near Olds, will be taking a closer look at the path food products take from farm to fork.

The AGRI committee is also expected to begin examining the Safe Food For Canadians Act.

The AANO committee is studying the link between land use and sustainable economic development for Canada’s First Nations.

“There is some pieces of legislation right now that are before Parliament that we will be looking at,” said Richards, who represents the Stoney Nation as part of his riding.

Legislation includes a bill to create greater transparency and accountability for chiefs and band councils that, if approved, will force the leaders to reveal their salaries and compensation packages. Another bill is proposing amendments to the Indian Act, according to Richards.

In addition to his two newest appointments, Richards will continue in his role as chair of the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus.

“I have tremendous respect for the House of Commons committee process,” said Richards. “Committees are where Canadians’ best ideas are discussed and debated, making a real impact on legislation. Their work often goes unheralded but committees are vital to ensuring good laws, supported by the people, are created.”

Richards was first elected by Wild Rose residents in 2008. This past summer he was chair of the House of Commons Special Committee on Co-operatives and has served on the federal transport, agriculture, public safety and Canadian Heritage committees.