By Angela Hill

Hoback returns from South America

Aug 15, 2011 | 12:59 PM

Prince Albert MP, Randy Hoback, has returned from the high-profile trip to South America.

Hoback, the only MP to be on the trip with ministers and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was invited because of his role as chairman with the Parliamentary Association of the Americas.

“It was a trip I definitely think is going to bring benefits back to the people of Saskatchewan,” said Hoback.

Among the meetings in four countries, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Honduras, Hoback met with pulse growers and members of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. He said the removal of trade tariffs will mean increased trade opportunities, especially to Colombia.

“If we sell more wheat, more pulses of course Saskatchewan is known world-wide for their pulse industry and we grow a lot of good, high-quality wheat. So they are excited to have access to that,” he said.

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Other meetings were held with local parliamentarians and Canadian businesses doing work abroad.

“Identifying what the challenges (are), what the type of things we needed to improve on and what the opportunities were. It gave us a good chance to get a good view of things on the ground in each of the different countries,” Hoback said.

Hoback said he had the opportunity to interact with Harper on the trip.

“He’s an amazing guy to be with, you know he’s one of the strongest leaders we’ve ever had in this country, so it’s just an honour to be working with him,” he said.

“It’s an honour to represent Canada whenever you go abroad, and it’s an honour to represent the riding and the people of Saskatchewan.”

ahill@panow.com