Randy Hoback will continue to serve as critic of international trade in the shadow cabinet. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Federal Politics

Hoback weighs in on Scheer and next possible leader

Dec 17, 2019 | 12:15 PM

Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback has broken his silence on the resignation of Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer.

Scheer made the announcement last week that he will step down as party leader once a replacement is chosen. His decision to resign comes on the heels of a report the Conservative Party was using funds donated by supporters to pay private school tuition for Scheer’s children.

Looking forward to who the next leader of the party should be, Hoback said what part of the country the person comes from is not a major issue for him. The big issue for him is who will be able to help the party grow their seat count.

“It’s whether or not they can make a breakthrough into Ontario, Atlantic Canada and to a lesser degree into Quebec,” he said.

Winning more seats in the eastern provinces is crucial for the party as there are not many more seats to be won in the western part of the country, according to Hoback.

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The Prince Albert MP said he doesn’t have any preferred person in mind when it comes to who should lead the party next. Hoback added he wants to see who puts their name forward and what their positions are before deciding who to throw his support behind.

“There’s some really exciting people thinking about it,” he said.

Hoback said when Scheer told his caucus about his plans Thursday, it took everyone by surprise and lots of jaws in the room hit the floor.

“I was shocked, in fact, how it came about. I was doing a presentation of USMCA to caucus and at the end of that presentation, that’s when he made his announcement,” he said.

The longtime MP was not prepared to comment extensively on the controversy surrounding the party paying for private school tuition. He added some comments made about the issue have been premature in nature.

“I think they have to do their audit and I think once we know the results of that audit, that’ll give us a position to comment,” he said.

Hoback said he has confidence in the current party administration. He added the funding committee and the administration need to work to get on the same page, as there is disagreement on whether the payments for tuition were appropriate.

As of now there are no changes in terms of Hoback’s role in the shadow cabinet. He will continue to serve as the critic for international trade.

“No changes in that, just more work,” he said with a laugh.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn