Wild Rose MP Blake Richards is looking to build on Canada’s relationship with Turks and Caicos Islands.
Richards, who is chair of the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus, was part of a tourism roundtable with Turks and Caicos premier Dr. Rufus Ewing and Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa May 26.
“Canada and Turks and Caicos have much in common thanks in part to our shared history,” Richards said in a release. “Today, many Canadian tour operators are hard at work in this region expanding our shared tourism sector.”
Alberta Conservative MP Peter Goldring has been attempting to entice the Caribbean island into becoming a Canadian colony, and has been for the past decade.
“Seeking new opportunities is important,” said Richards, “tourism plays a significant role in both of our economies, affording jobs, growth and future prosperity for our citizens.”
Following the meeting, Richards, Harper and Ewing presided over the grand opening of a new Turks and Caicos tourism office in Toronto.
Richards has been named the hardest working constituency member of Parliament and the best constituency MP in a the 22nd annual ‘politically savvy survey.’
“I was humbled to learn the results,” Richards said, “there are so many MPs who work long hours on behalf of their constituents. It certainly is an honour to be recognized in this national survey.
The survey was conducted by The Hill Times, a weekly newspaper that covers federal government and political issues.
In addition to his duties as MP and chair of the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus, Richards serves on the House Public Safety and National Security and Procedure and House Affairs committees.
The Wild Rose district encompasses 28,000 square kilometres and boasts a population of around 40,000 higher than the average federal electoral district.
