Randy Hoback’s new Nipawin office is up and running after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Hoback, the Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, welcomed guests to the office Feb. 28, including members of Nipawin and Tisdale councils.
“We just want to show off our building and get people comfortable with where we are and comfortable coming in to see us,” said Hoback.
“This is a non-political office, so we don’t do anything partisan here. I don’t care if you voted Liberal, NDP, Green. If you’ve got a problem with the federal government or you need help with something, we’re here to help you.”
Cindy Murphy, the special assistant, rotates around the area, with stops in Arborfield, Carrot River, Choiceland and Tisdale. The office can assist constituents with old age security, pensions, unemployment insurance and anything else to do with the federal government.
Hoback told the Review that he’s been in the United States talking about trade.
“In 35 states, we’re the number one customer for businesses in those states. For another seven or eight others, we’re the number two customer. Anything that they do to the border, trying to deal with their trade deficits with Mexico or China, may have unintended consequences to us in the north.
“We don’t want to see that and they don’t want to see that. We’re just making sure that they’re aware of that.”
Hoback also spoke about the influx of migrants crossing the border in Manitoba and Quebec.
“There’s been a history of small tricklings across,” he said. “With the perceptions on the immigration rules that they’ve changed in the U.S., there’s concerns that this could increase and be a bigger and bigger number.”
Hoback is waiting on the federal government’s plan, stating that Canadians have a tolerance for this type of migration – up to a point.
“They want to see people come and follow the rules, so that’s the right way to do things,” he said. “I know people are watching it very, very carefully on both sides of the border.”
