House of Commons

MP’s bill to curb masked rioters at events

A bill sponsored by Wild Rose MP Blake Richards has passed third reading in the House of Commons and, if approved by the senate, could implement stiff penalties for those who conceal their identity while participating in a riot or unlawful assembly.

Bill C-309, otherwise known as the Concealment of Identity Act, is Richards’ private member’s bill that was first introduced in Oct. 2011 and will apparently provide police officers with a new tool to prevent, de-escalate and control riots. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

New House of Commons committees ‘good mix’ for MP

Wild Rose member of Parliament Blake Richards has been appointed to two House of Commons committees that he says will help him address issues affecting the riding at the national level.

Since the fall sitting of Parliament resumed last month, Richards has been appointed to the standing committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI) as well as the standing committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANO).

Regarding the latter, the MP indicated there are a couple pieces of legislation the committee will be looking at to improve accountability while also studying the link between land use and sustainable economic development within the country’s First Nations. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.