Andrew Scheer speaks with media after speaking to supporters. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

National Politics

Scheer stops in P.A.

Jul 18, 2019 | 5:21 PM

The leader of Canada’s official opposition has been making his way around Saskatchewan recently.

Thursday morning Andrew Scheer’s provincial tour brought him to the Ches Leach Lounge at the Art Hauser Centre where the Conservative Party leader addressed a crowd of 380 people.

When Scheer entered the room flanked by Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback, they received a standing ovation from the crowd.

The former house speaker and long-time MP from Regina Qu’Appelle told attendees he was happy to be back in Saskatchewan. On policy, Scheer said, if elected, he will work to remove GST from home heating bills and create a national energy corridor for pipelines. He said his first act would be to repeal the carbon tax.

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Amongst the crowd of supporters were members of the city council in Mayor Greg Dionne and Coun. Evert Botha. There were as well some prominent members of the local business community on hand including Northern Lights Casino General Manager Richard Ahenakew and Lake Country Co-op CEO Tim Keller.

Mayor Greg Dionne was at the Ches Leach to hear Andrew Scheer speak. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

In his discussions with media, Scheer touched on the latest trade issues with China.

“We buy more from China then they buy from us, so we do have some leverage in this dispute and I am tired of Justin Trudeau’s defeatist attitude,” he said.

In terms of specifics, Scheer called for the government to pull funding from the Asian Infrastructure Bank to retaliate. He added he would like to see more inspections of Chinese goods also.

Another major campaign pledge Scheer is promising to implement is to eliminate oil imports by 2030. He argued an energy corridor would make moving crude oil across the country easier and would lead to oil refineries making changes.

“I am confident that the industry will then make the necessary investments to use Canadian energy, rather than foreign oil,” he said.

The opposition leader also pledged his party would soon reveal a policy to help remedy the issues with the troubled Phoenix pay system for federal employees. Since being introduced, the system has seen employees not getting paid or in some cases being over paid.

“We were very disappointed that the Liberal government plowed ahead with Phoenix before it was ready. They ignored the advice. They ignored the warnings; they rushed it through,” he said.

Randy Hoback greets people at the door. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn