EAST CENTRAL — The country is in for a rocky ride for the next four years, said the newly reelected Conservative MP for Prince Albert.
With 150 of 175 polls reporting, Randy Hoback received 20,549 out of 30,172 votes cast.
“I'm proud to represent the riding again,” he said. “I always want to make sure that people understand that I have a great team in this riding. We’re here that serve anybody, whether they voted for me or not.”
He added he believes that attitude was part of the reason for the result he received in this election.
At the time of writing, the national results are showing a minority government, with the Liberals receiving the most seats.
“We're concerned about the Liberal Party forming a coalition with the NDP,” Hoback said.
The newly reelected MP said such a government would have a huge impact on Saskatchewan’s oil and gas sector, and resource sector.
“You know, I'm very, very concerned about the long term viability of Western Canada under this government and the damage that they’ll do in four years.”
In Saskatchewan, it’s looking like the Conservatives will win all 14 federal seats.
Saskatoon West, whose incumbent is the NDP’s Sheri Benson, had Conservative Brad Redekopp ahead of her. Regina-Lewvan, which was held by Erin Weir, who was a New Democrat, saw the Conservatives’ Warren Steinley far ahead. Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, held by the NDP’s Georgina Jolibois, is seeing Conservative Gary Vidal ahead. In Regina-Wascana, it’s looking like the Conservatives' Michael Kram will defeat long-time Liberal MP Ralph Goodale.
“Ralph Goodale’s not going back and I think a lot of people are very happy to see that,” Hoback said. “It sends a message to Ottawa and to the Liberal Party that their policies are hurting us, and we show back in the polls.”
Hoback said the Liberals need to take a look at the results, but he’s not sure if the party cares about Western Canada.
The Bloc Quebecois has made a resurgence out east, going from 10 seats to around 30. Block said that was a possibility the polls have pointed out. Hoback said he believes that’s a result of partisan regional politics promoted by the Liberal government.
Hoback also thanked his competitors: Harmony Johnson-Harder of the NDP, Estelle Hjertaas of the Liberals, Kerri Wall of the Greens, Kelly Day of the People’s Party and Brian Littlepine of the Veterans Coalition Party.
“They ran solid campaigns, high level campaigns,” he said. “They weren’t down in the mud or muck andI respect them for putting their names forward. It's not an easy task and I want to thank them for doing that. They made our country better by doing it.”
