(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Shadow Cabinet

P.A. MP Hoback named to Conservative shadow cabinet

Nov 9, 2021 | 4:01 PM

For the second time in his political career, Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback is being named to the country’s shadow cabinet.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole announced who’ll be opposing the federal government’s ministers on Tuesday with Hoback being appointed the shadow minister for International Trade and Supply Chain Resilience.

This is something he’s very familiar with as he previously served as the opposition to the Minister of International Trade after being chosen by former party leader and Regina–Qu’Appelle MP Andrew Scheer.

Hoback told paNOW his main focus is ensuring the federal ministry maintains strong relationships with the country’s biggest partners, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

“Making sure we got the critical goods we will always need, whether it’s personal protective equipment for our medical facilities, vaccinations… we can’t be left out in the cold like we were this past spring with the federal government not participating in those supply chains.”

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His position will also see him directly question the work being done by Mary Ng, the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development.

Hoback noted he understands he’s been given an important role within the Conservative party.

“Here’s a country that thrives on trade and selling our goods abroad, so we have to make sure we have proper market access, that we have proper dispute selling mechanisms.”

One of the reasons he got the position, may be his contacts in the United States.

In early October, Hoback and Brian Higgins, the representative for areas such as Buffalo and Niagara Falls, issued a joint statement calling on the Biden Administration to allow fully vaccinated Canadians the option to drive to the U.S.

This officially happened on November 8.

“It’s nice to see some success on it here,” Hoback added. “There’s still work needing to be done.”

Meanwhile, he is one of four Saskatchewan MPs appointed to the shadow cabinet.

Scheer has been appointed shadow minister for Infrastructure and Communities, while Gary Vidal, MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, will serve as shadow minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Warren Steinley, MP for Regina-Lewvan, was given the position of shadow minister for Prairie Economic Development and Inter-provincial Trade.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow