Andrew Scheer resigns

Dec 12, 2019, Andrew Scheer is stepping down as the Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

He announced the decision Thursday morning at a Caucus meeting of his MPs, and said he has asked the Party to immediately plan a Leadership race to succeed him.  He says he will continue to function as Leader within the House of Commons until a successor is chosen.  If his successor is not now an MP, it may take some time before that person functions as a Leader in all respects.  The new Leader would have to win a bi-election, or win a seat in a general national Election, which could come soon in view of the minority Parliament situation.

Scheer announced his decision in the House of Commons and asserted his Party will be united, even with a possible fractious leadership contest.  Scheer said, “Our party is not a cult of personality and it is not shaped by whoever’s name is on the masthead.  My only ask of my fellow Conservatives is this: let’s stay united.”

Some complained that Scheer was helped with Party funds for his children's private school education.  Conservative Party officials pushed back on the point, saying the compensation was “normal practice” for the Party to cover costs associated with relocating the National Leader to Ottawa.  “This includes a differential in schooling costs between Regina and Ottawa.  All proper paperwork procedures were followed and signed off on by the appropriate people, said Dustin van Vugt, the Executive Director of the Conservative Party of Canada.  There were no improper expenditures. 

Scheer’s decision comes less than two months after a disappointing national election result.  But whoever succeeds him, “That person will have my 100 % support.  We are going to continue to be here every single day to represent our constituents, perform our duties as parliamentarians, put Canadians and Canada first,” Scheer said.

In the House of Commons, Prime Minister Trudeau responded by saying he and Scheer, share the goal of wanting to improve things for their children.  “We are politicians, we are in this House not in spite of having kids but because we have kids and are dedicated to building a better world for them with everything we have.”  He congratulated Scheer for showing “tremendous strength and compassion as he has done that through tragedies, difficulties, victories and more challenging moments.”  Trudeau concluded by thanking Scheer “deeply for his service to Canada.”  He then crossed the floor and shook his hand.