Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards took time to reflect on the highs and lows of 2017.

While Richards could have rattled on about the deficits he finds with our Liberal government he first reflected on the positives.

Canada turned 150 years old and national pride was seen coast to coast as people celebrated living in one of the greatest countries in the world. "It was a really good opportunity to celebrate Canada and what it means to us and how lucky we are. We saw it whether it be Canada Day parades or people with their Canada 150 flags and it was a really cool thing to see."

It also provided the perfect opportunity for MP Richards to recognize some of Cochrane's greatest. "The opportunity to celebrate some of our volunteers in our community and show some appreciation for the things they do was a really nice thing to do in Canada's 150."

Richards also took the time to mention the work of Dan Kroffat and the rest of his team for bringing forward the 2016 initiative of the secure poppy boxes. "We saw the difference it made in Cochrane and we are still hoping we'll see that making a difference in many other communities all across Canada as we move forward."

Concentrating on our country's positive can be difficult, shares Richards, as the feels the Liberal government continues to set up roadblocks for Canadians across the country.

The first one being the continued attack on small business owners. "It extends to a lot of things like regulatory changes, tax changes, at the provincial level obviously with the minimum wage, carbon taxes at both levels, these things are all things that are really difficult for small businesses. But the biggest one with this issue is the tax changes that were proposed in the middle of summer and there has been an ongoing battle since then to try and ensure these things are not going to affect small businesses to nearly the degree that they appeared."

The other challenge facing the Liberal government is the ongoing ethical issues, states Richards. From the first 'cash for access fundraisers' to Trudeau's questionable private island holiday and a helicopter ride, Richards feels these issues are very serious. "The Prime Minister has broken Canadian law; it is the first time we have ever seen this in Canadian history so this is very significant and serious. I don't get a sense when you hear the Prime Minister say 'well I didn't really understand I was doing anything wrong,' kind of rings a little hollow to me." 

Besides seeing MP Richards continue to push back on issues that are not beneficial, he says in early 2018 his motion to provide better support and compassion to families who have suffered pregnancy and infancy loss will be brought forward. "In February or March, we'll get a chance to debate this in the House of Commons finally, so that will be getting a lot of my focus early in the year as we try to push to make this change happen. I think as a government if we can try to make life a little bit easier for grieving families that have lost an infant child then why wouldn't we do that?!"

The other good news story for 2018 is the anticipation of an increased market for the Canada-China year of tourism.

All in all, MP Blake Richards hopes everyone had a great Christmas with family and friends and hopes we all remember to pay it forward by helping out those who are less fortunate.