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Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback is making some thoughts known ahead of parliament's return (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)
Federal politics

Hoback makes thoughts known ahead next sitting

Nov 12, 2019 | 5:34 PM

Prince Albert’s MP is weighing in on the meeting between Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Randy Hoback said he is concerned to hear the results that came out of the meeting Tuesday morning in Ottawa.

“I am quite alarmed, I know the premier went in there with good intentions looking for some progress and it sounds like they had no progress. In fact, it looked like it went the other way,” he said.

Moe went into the meeting with the prime minister looking to bring forward a few issues. These included changes to the current equalization formula, a pause in the carbon tax and changes on the pipeline front.

“I came today to hear about what he was going to do differently to support the industries and the people in our province and I can tell you this — I did not hear that there is going to be anything different, there is going to be more of the same,” Moe told reporters after the meeting.

Before the meeting began, Trudeau suggested it was going to be a tough discussion, noting there are many areas in which the two do not agree.

The premier vowed to continued to fight against the carbon tax in court while also working to expand access to markets.

Hoback said the issues the premier brought to the table are ones which are being spoken about on coffee row in many places.

“There’s nothing there that I look at and see, that are not the wishes of the people of Saskatchewan,” he said.

One of the specific issues which Hoback said needs to be addressed is the effect the carbon tax is having on farmers, especially as they are looking to dry their grain after the harvest season.

Hoback said he met with Moe before the premier had his meeting and said the two are on the same page on provincial issues.

Looking toward a minority government, Hoback said he is hopeful the two parties can work together on some issues — specifically on lowering taxes.

Hoback said it’s difficult to know what to expect until after the Throne Speech comes down which will outline the priorities of the government for the coming session. The new Parliament is set to sit for the first time Dec. 5. The Speech from the Throne is scheduled to be delivered the day before.

With files from The Canadian Press

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn

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