Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards has a new job with the Conservative Party, one he believes fits well with a position he already holds.    

Richards has been appointed the new Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet Minister for Small Business and Export Promotion.  Richards will also continue in his role as Shadow Cabinet Minister for Tourism but is dropping his position at Shadow Minister for Democratic Institutions.  

He says the new role was decided by party leadership to fit his skill set.  Richards says the role is definitely one he's suited for. 

"Obviously small business is something that's been important to me and I think it's also so critically important to our economy.  Having worked with the tourism industry in the other area of my critic responsibilities, I think it's a very natural fit for me to add the small business and export promotion part of it to it,  I'm looking forward to continually reminding this government that small businesses are not a place they can go for easy revenue or burden with extra regulations.  They have to remember that small business is the backbone of our economy and that's something I'll be proud and honoured to be able to do."

Export promotion is a new area for Richards as it's a new area overall, having just been created this summer by the Trudeau government.  He says, in his mind, small business and export promotion go hand in hand.

"I think the key here is, I want to remind this government that they can promote the opportunities for exports to our small businesses, but unless they are going to do the things that are necessary for our businesses to be competitive that makes it very difficult to take advantage of those opportunities."

Richards cites taxation, things like the carbon tax, as hurting small business.  He also says government bureaucracy and red tape is bogging many down.

"When you've got a small business and you have to spend several hours every week trying to comply with government red tape, that's several hours you take away from being able to promote your business."

Richards also thinks that his two Shadow Cabinet Ministries also fit hand in glove as most tourism operators qualify as small businesses.

"I think there are really complimentary issues that we deal with across all small businesses.  I'll be working as hard as I possibly can to make sure that I'm doing my best job possible for tourism operators and all small business owners."  

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