Volume 43 | August 14, 2020
Hoback Electronic Herald
E-NEWSLETTER SURVEY:


(Click on the question above to answer, or email your answer to randy.hoback@parl.gc.ca).

Results from the previous poll will be released shortly, as responses are still being received.
WHO DO YOU TRUST TO LEAD CANADA THROUGH
AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY?
As we navigate the after-effects of the global pandemic, residents here in the riding of Prince Albert keep telling me they are optimistic and yet cautious for their futures. They are nervous about the unknown. How many more Canadians will get sick? How many more workers will lose their jobs? How many more businesses will close?
 
From the beginning of the crisis, my Conservative colleagues and I have been focused on getting Canadians the help they need. This massive health and economic crisis deserved a serious Team Canada response. So, we rolled up our sleeves and proposed constructive solutions to government legislation to ensure no one fell through the cracks.
 
But as we look to the future, Canada is in a dire situation. We have the highest unemployment rate in the G7, we lost our AAA credit rating and we are the only G7 country without a recovery plan. The Prime Minister’s troubled aid programs have failed businesses and forced many to close for good. Canadian business associations are urging a change from “life support” type programs such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and wage subsidies, towards job-creating policies like tax cuts, regulatory improvements and investments in the private sector.
 
The biggest misconception right now is that if we simply lift restrictions, our economy will come right back to life. The reality is that it’s going to take much more leadership, more big ideas and more hard work. All the while, Justin Trudeau has been wrong or slow to act throughout the pandemic and has no plan to restart our economy.

So, who do you trust to lead us through the recovery?
DRIVE-THRU BARBECUES SCHEDULED/RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST
Do to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the Star City region, I felt it necessary to reschedule my drive-thru barbecues in Melfort and in Tisdale.

New dates and times for the barbecues are below. I have also added a barbecue in Shellbrook.

Food and drink donations will be given to local organizations that are currently struggling as a result of the epidemic.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Melfort Drive-Thru Barbecue
Melfort Mall Parking Lot
4:00pm to 7:00pm

Thursday, August 20, 2020
Shellbrook Drive-Thru Barbecue
Shellbrook Skating Rink
4:00pm to 7:00pm

Sunday, August 30, 2020
Tisdale Drive-Thru Barbecue
Tisdale Museum (along Highway #3)
1:00pm to 4:00pm
I look foward to seeing everyone there.
APPLICATION PERIOD FOR 2021 DAUGHTERS OF THE VOTE PROGRAM LAUNCHED
Equal Voice is thrilled to announce that it has launched the application period for the 2021 edition of the Daughters of the Vote program.

Daughters of the Vote is an ambitious initiative by Equal Voice that began in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of some women getting the right to vote in Canada, and the still incomplete journey of women’s full participation in politics today.

In 2017, 338 delegates, representing every federal riding in Canada, were selected through an open call for applications to participate in a dynamic political leadership summit in Ottawa. It was fortunate to replicate the event in 2019, and will be doing so once again in March 2021 with additional programming and a brand-new virtual format.

The program objective is to expose participants to Canada’s political institutions and those women and men serving in them – so that they are equipped and inspired to participate in the formal political sphere and take action in their local communities in the years and decades to come.

As a result of COVID-19, our DOV 2021 program will take place entirely online to ensure the health and safety of our staff, delegates and volunteers. As we adapt to this new version of the four-day conference, we are working hard to maintain the crux of DOV, including replicating the House of Commons experience online.

For more information, please go to https://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/.
JUSTIN TRUDEAU LETS DOWN CANADA'S ALUMINUM WORKERS
Last week, the United States announced plans to impose a new 10 percent tariff on Canadian aluminum imports. The tariff will apply to unprocessed Canadian aluminum as of August 16, 2020.
 
Justin Trudeau has once again let down Canada’s aluminum workers. The US administration has been foreshadowing new tariffs on Canadian aluminum for weeks, so why didn’t the Trudeau government take action to protect Canadian workers?
 
The Trudeau government must immediately retaliate and send a clear message to the U.S. that we will not restrict our exports. It has unfortunately put Canada in a weaker position to combat these tariffs after the concessions it made during the last round of American trade action. Canada can only retaliate on like products, putting our country at a strategic disadvantage.
 
I do not have confidence in this Liberal government's ability to defend our aluminum industry. Not only did the Trudeau Liberals fail to negotiate the same favourable rules of origin for aluminum as they did for steel in the CUSMA Agreement, they failed to follow through on their promise to send all of the money collected from the previous US tariffs back to Canadian industry.
 
I and my Conservative colleagues will continue to fight for Canada’s aluminum industry and the thousands of workers it employs.
AUGUST 15TH THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF
VICTORY OVER JAPAN (V-J DAY)
August 15 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan (V‑J) Day and the end of the Second World War. While most know that the majority of Canada’s military efforts in the war took place in Europe and on the Atlantic Ocean, it is lesser‑known that Canada also committed forces to the struggle against Japan in Asia.
 
In fact, between 1941—when they were called on to defend Hong Kong—and 1945—when the war finally ended—more than 10,000 Canadians did their part to help the Allies triumph over Japan. The Defence of Hong Kong was particularly trying. Nearly 800 of the 1,975 Canadian soldiers who took part were killed or wounded in action. Hundreds of others spent years as prisoners of war, with 260 dying in captivity.
 
The 75th anniversary of V‑J Day is an opportune time to remember their service, and to acknowledge that without their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of all who took part in the Second World War, Canadians and so many others in the world wouldn’t have the peace, freedom and democracy we enjoy today.
 
In keeping with the times, the Department of Veterans Affairs is commemorating V‑J Day and the end of the Second World War in the digital space, using virtual tools to remember all those who fought in Asia and the Pacific—and all over Europe—for a more just and peaceful world. It will be actively telling our Veterans’ stories, promoting learning activities and encouraging participation on our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) using interactive tools such as videos and imagery.
 
More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Second World War and more than 45,000 gave their lives in the fight against tyranny and oppression. No matter the circumstances, it always remains our solemn duty to honour their service and remember their sacrifices.

Though this most unusual year forces us to express our gratitude differently, it is with no less appreciation for the enormity of what was accomplished by those who served in uniform or supported the war effort on the home front.
 
Lest we forget.
REMINDER: WEDNESDAY IS CANADA TAKE-OUT DAY
PLEASE SHOP LOCAL!
Just a reminder that every Wednesday is Canada Takeout Day. I encourage everyone to support a local restaurant on Wednesdays if you are able to afford doing so.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged residents and businesses in throughout our constituency. I continue to hear from too many small business owners who are struggling through this crisis.

Residents can help by supporting our local businesses while following the advice of health officials. Please join me in shopping local to support our retailers.

On the other side of this crisis, it will be the success of small, local businesses that will put Canada on the path to prosperity once again.