Blake Richards
- Born
- November 8, 1974 — Olds, Alberta
- Education
- Red Deer College; University of Calgary, degree in political science
- Career
- Worked in the oil field and agriculture-related industries; real estate business
- Political Experience
- Elected to House of Commons in 2008, re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2025 federal elections. Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs, Chief Opposition Whip, Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Small Business, Export Promotion and Tourism.
- Notable
- Volunteer firefighter and minor hockey coach. Spearheaded a national petition that called for changes to the national pardons system. Introduced Private Member's Bill C-309. Recognized as the Hardest Working and Best Constituency MP in The Hill Times' Annual Politically Savvy Survey. Recognized with a Canadian Tourism Award.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics in 2008, Blake Richards worked as a real estate agent. He also reportedly owned and operated a small business. According to disclosures filed with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Richards has declared an interest in a numbered Alberta corporation, described as a holding company, as well as a residential rental property in Airdrie, Alberta.
Key Relationships & Connections
As the Chief Opposition Whip for the Conservative Party, Blake Richards holds a senior leadership position within the caucus and works closely with the party leader, Pierre Poilievre, to manage party discipline and legislative strategy. He is also the founder and co-chair of the all-party Parliamentary Friends of the Alzheimer Society, a group dedicated to raising awareness about dementia.
Public Controversies
In 2014, Richards faced media scrutiny over his expense claims after it was reported he had claimed per diems for his time in Ottawa while his wife was hospitalized following the premature birth of their child. Richards defended the claims, stating that he continued to work on constituency business from the hospital and his Ottawa apartment during that period. More recently, in his role as Chief Opposition Whip, Richards was involved in the Conservative caucus's decision-making process, including the 2021 expulsion of MP Derek Sloan. The handling of such internal party matters sometimes generates public and media discussion.
Where Blake falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Blake Richards won with 50,252 votes (71.2%)
Total votes cast: 70,560
How does Blake Richards's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, as we begin Veterans' Week and we approach Remembrance Day, I had the privilege of co-hosting a reception this afternoon for the Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation under the leadership of Jeremy Diamond. When Canadians think of veterans, minds can often drift to historical black and white photos. We remain deeply appreciative of the freedoms that they fought for, but there are also
Mr. Speaker, as we approach Remembrance Day, Canadians across the country will gather, of course, to honour the men and women who have served this country in our armed forces and who are willing to give of their lives for the freedoms that we all enjoy. In my own communities of Airdrie and Cochrane, I will have the privilege of spending time with veterans, their families and the volunteers who
Mr. Speaker, what I find incredibly frustrating is that the only way the Liberal government ever measures anything is how by much money it can can spend. We should instead measure the results and, frankly, the results have not been there. Our men and women in uniform will tell us, to this day, that they continue to struggle with not having the equipment they need to be able to do their jobs. We
Mr. Speaker, that is a great question because the reality of this situation is that not only are the Liberals failing our veterans with this, but they are also failing to live up to their own words. They talk about wanting to see buy Canadian. They want to make sure that Canadians are getting the opportunities. This goes absolutely contrary to all of their words. Again, their actions are not
Mr. Speaker, I would agree. We see so many of these kinds of things. We see it in what we are talking about today with this contract, when the Liberals were warned that this would be the result. We see it in the lack of action towards building a monument to the mission in Afghanistan and the 158 Canadians who gave their lives there. We see it in the denials and delays when it comes to the
Mr. Speaker, the answer is simply no. The bottom line is that the men and women of the armed forces need the equipment to do their jobs. They do not need more bureaucracy. The bill proposes to create more bureaucracy, but it does not necessarily propose to get the men and women the equipment they need to do their jobs, and that is the problem with the bill.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, what matters is delivering results. The members of the Canadian Armed Forces must be given the resources they need to do their jobs. There must be no additional bureaucracy. That is all that matters.
Mr. Speaker, when rising on a debate about defence procurement, the debate needs to start with an acknowledgement and a thanks to the people it is intended to serve. That is the men and women who serve in our Canadian Armed Forces and who have served in our Canadian Armed Forces. I think it is especially important as we approach Remembrance Day, but it is something we need to do every single day
Mr. Speaker, the first thing I notice from what the member had to say is that Liberals like to choose their words very carefully, because they have to keep their story straight. If they do not keep their story straight, then no one is going to believe them. The bottom line is that people do not believe what they have to say. When the member says that applications to join the Canadian Armed Forces