🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦

Canada First Conservative Member of Parliament for Airdrie-Cochrane

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Shouldn’t Canadians have a say first before Mark Carney makes a decision that could have major consequences for Canadian sovereignty?

Yesterday, before Canadians know what “associate membership” in the European Union would actually mean, Carney told the European Parliament that Canada “welcomes this ambition.”

But Parliament hasn’t debated it. Canadians don’t know the costs, obligations or implications. And we still don’t know what it could mean for regulations, labour mobility, spending or Canadian sovereignty.

I support strong trade and defence ties with Europe. But Canadian decisions must be made by Canadians — not announced abroad first and explained at home later.

Before signing Canada up for anything new, Carney needs to put the details before Canadians and Parliament.

Canada will never be the 51st U.S. state, and we will never be the 28th EU state.

We are Canadians. This is our home, our freedom and our sovereignty.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

For too many Canadians, the dream of building an independent future is slipping away.

After more than a decade of Liberal government, young adults who want to be building careers, buying homes and starting families are increasingly having to rely on their parents just to pay for groceries, rent and emergency expenses.

Parents who provided financial support to their adult children last year gave an average of $6,151. Nearly 1 in 5 parents of children aged 35–40 say their kids still aren’t able to be financially independent.

These aren't just statistics. They represent delayed homes, delayed families and dreams put on hold because everyday life has become too expensive.

Canadians work hard. They should be able to build a life of their own, get ahead and look toward the future with confidence.

That’s the Canada I want to see restored.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

"Buy Canadian" can't just be a slogan.

Let's build pipelines to both coasts so Canadians can use Canadian oil, reduce dependence on the U.S., reach new global markets, strengthen our position in trade talks, and create thousands of jobs along the way.

This is a Team Canada moment. Those who opposed pipelines yesterday should recognize what's at stake and join the effort today. 🇨🇦

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Had an opportunity, along with @PierrePoilievre, local MP’s @HelenaKonanz & @DanAlbas and many of my other @CPC_HQ colleagues to visit the Emergency Operations Centre at the @EmergMgtRDOS today to thank the many first responders, officials and community volunteers who stepped up during the recent Bald Range fire that affected Summerland and area.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Europe has faced a serious illegal immigration crisis. Canada cannot afford to import it.

After a decade of Liberal immigration policies that brought too many people, too fast, our housing, healthcare and job market are already under immense pressure.

As Mark Carney pursues a new agreement with the European Union, Canada must not participate in anything resembling the EU Pact on Migration or adopt policies that make our immigration system even harder to control.

Europe’s migrant crisis must not become Canada’s.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Mark Carney promised big results. What did Canadians actually get?

He promised a new trade deal. You got more tariffs.

He promised a pipeline. You got an MOU.

He promised major progress on trade diversification. You got another summit.

He promised to get major projects built. You got a new government agency — and another layer of bureaucracy Canadians have to pay for.

He promised affordability. You got temporary half-measures instead of permanent tax relief.

He promised change. You got another speech.

There’s a pattern here: big promises, big announcements, little delivery.

Canadians don’t need more meetings, memorandums, speeches or bureaucracy.
They need results.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

A wonderful evening celebrating seniors, faith, and community at the Golden Agers Event in Brampton last night.
It was great to join Conservative candidate @Tim_IQBAL and spend time with seniors, families, and members of the community.
Thank you to the Ministry of Divine Mercy and all the volunteers who brought everyone together for an evening of fellowship, food, fun, and friendship.
Tim is a strong voice for his community and is ready to fight for you, your family, and a better future for Brampton.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

A great celebration of Filipino culture, heritage, and community at the Philippine Festival Mississauga!
This year marks the festival’s 15th anniversary — an incredible milestone and a testament to the organizers, volunteers, and community members who have helped make it such a special tradition.
Congratulations on 15 years of bringing people together and proudly celebrating the vibrant Filipino community! Thank you for all you do for your community, and country.
Mabuhay! Tara na!

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Do buildings fight forest fires?

A new facility is welcome—but Canadians deserve to know what new firefighting equipment and capability actually comes with it, especially when the project’s cost has nearly doubled.

After cuts to emergency preparedness, the failures that contributed to the Jasper disaster, and an incredibly slow recovery, Canadians deserve more than announcements about buildings.

As Shadow Minister for Emergency Preparedness and Community Resilience, I’m calling on the Carney Liberal Government to explain exactly what new frontline firefighting capability the $34 million announced today actually provides.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Why is Canada discussing military cooperation with Communist China?

Canadian and Chinese defence officials met in Ottawa last week for the Fifth China-Canada Defence Coordination Dialogue, where China says the two sides discussed strengthening exchanges and cooperation between their militaries.

That should concern Canadians.

And making matters worse, Canadians only learned about the meeting after China disclosed it.

Canada should be standing firmly with our allies and protecting our national security — not pursuing closer military cooperation with the Chinese Communist regime behind closed doors.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Canadians shouldn’t be forced to pay the price for trade uncertainty and higher tariffs.

Canada needs an emergency Economic Action Plan that protects Canadian jobs, lowers costs and strengthens our economy here at home.

Conservatives are calling to:
• Green-light 500 projects awaiting federal permits
• Scrap gas taxes until Canada Day
• Remove the GST from Canadian-made vehicles
• Zero the capital gains tax on reinvestment in Canada
• End the industrial carbon tax
• Repeal C-48 and C-69

The goal is simple: lower costs, unleash Canadian investment and make Canada more self-reliant and economically strong.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Want to buy Canadian? Start by moving Canadian oil across Canada.

East-west pipelines mean less reliance on U.S. markets, fewer imports, access to global customers, stronger trade leverage, and thousands of good-paying jobs.

The moment calls for pragmatism. It's time for everyone, including longtime pipeline opponents, to get on Team Canada.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

If we're serious about "buying Canadian" and being "all in this together," then let's act like it.

Build pipelines to our east and west coasts. Use Canadian oil in Canada instead of importing it. Reduce our reliance on the U.S. Open new markets, strengthen our hand in trade negotiations, and create thousands of jobs.

Those who have opposed pipelines in the past need to recognize the importance of this moment and get on Team Canada.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

This article is well worth the read as it explains succinctly what needs to happen for Canada to overcome Trump’s tariffs and succeed:

1. Any Canadian retaliation must be strategic and surgical, and done in close consultation with chambers of commerce in every region. The goal must be to increase pressure on Washington while minimizing costs to Canadians. For example, we can avoid targeting essential components or products that are difficult to find or make here, and focus instead on finished products where there are clear Canadian alternatives.

2. With America going to the polls this fall, we must work with our growing list of allies across the country — and we have many: both Democrats and Republicans, and the legions of businesses that want fewer barriers to trade, not more.

3. Finally, we must build our own economy, eliminate interprovincial trade barriers once and for all, aggressively help businesses diversify their trade, reform taxes, and make Canada a highly attractive place for businesses to invest in themselves.

This forms the core of the emergency Economic Action Plan we as Conservatives have been calling for.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

There are so many charitable organizations in Canada doing excellent humanitarian work responding to these situations - organizations like Team Rubicon Canada Samaritan's Purse The Salvation Army in Canada, First Nations Emergency Services Society, and so many others.

Those affected by the wildfires need your support and I encourage all Canadians to donate.

It’s regrettable that this matching announcement didn’t come sooner when thousands were forced to flee their homes, and that it isn’t being applied more broadly to the many other charitable organizations that are doing important work to help those affected.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Non-citizens convicted of crimes receiving more lenient sentences because a tougher sentence could lead to deportation.

That is not equal justice.

Someone’s immigration status should never earn them a lighter sentence for breaking Canadian law. In fact, newcomers who come here, work hard, follow the rules and contribute to our country deserve an immigration system that does not make excuses for those who abuse it.

Conservatives proposed legislation to end this practice. The Liberals voted it down.
Canada should have one law for all — the same laws, the same consequences, and no special treatment.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

As the United States hits Canada with their latest round of unjustified tariffs after Carney failed to deliver the “better deal” he promised, in order to protect Canadian jobs and businesses we need to unleash the potential of the Canadian economy.

Conservatives are calling for an emergency Economic Action Plan that strengthens Canada by cutting taxes, approving projects, and unleashing investment.

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Canada's sovereignty is not negotiable, and nobody wants Canada to accept a bad deal.

But walking away from a bad deal isn't a strategy. What matters is what you do next.

And that raises an important question: was Carney’s only plan to get a deal with Trump, leaving Canada without a Plan B when the terms became unacceptable?

If the United States won't offer acceptable terms, what is Mark Carney doing to protect Canadian workers and businesses? Where is the plan to make our economy more competitive, break down barriers to internal Canadian trade, attract investment and open new markets for our products? We need real tax and regulatory reform and reduction to jolt our economy back to life. And we need actions, not more talk - Parliament must be recalled immediately so we can get the transparency Canadians deserve and so that all our nation’s elected representatives can have a say on this massive economic crisis we face.

Pointing at Donald Trump doesn't change the reality facing Canadian families and businesses.

Standing up for Canada means being prepared.

So, what's the plan?

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

What a fantastic celebration of Filipino culture, community and pride at this year’s Mabuhay Philippines Festival!

Canada is stronger because of our Filipino community. Filipino Canadians are known for their incredible work ethic, strong families, deep faith, generosity, and commitment to their communities. Their contributions can be felt across our country, and there is so much to celebrate and be proud of.

A huge thank you to Tom Tam and the rest of the Philippine Independence Day Council organizers and volunteers who worked so hard to bring everyone together for such a wonderful celebration.

Mabuhay to the Filipino community, and thank you for all that you do to make Canada an even better place to call home!
@filipinosinthe6

[🇨🇦 Blake Richards 🇨🇦 @BlakeRichardsMP]

Hey Beaches - East York, if you want safer streets and a more affordable life vote for Conservative Jim Syrbos @Jim4BYE in the August 31st by-election. We’re out reminding everyone to vote in the Advance Polls Friday-Monday 9am-9pm.