Andrew Scheer | |
|---|---|
 Scheer in 2017 | |
| Opposition House Leader | |
| Assumed office September 13, 2022 | |
| Leader | Pierre Poilievre |
| Preceded by | John Brassard |
| In office November 18, 2015 – September 13, 2016 | |
| Leader | Rona Ambrose |
| Preceded by | Peter Julian |
| Succeeded by | Candice Bergen |
| Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Communities | |
| In office September 8, 2020 – October 12, 2022 | |
| Leader | Erin O'Toole Candice Bergen Pierre Poilievre |
| Shadowing | Catherine McKenna Dominic LeBlanc |
| Preceded by | Luc Berthold |
| Succeeded by | Leslyn Lewis |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office May 27, 2017 – August 24, 2020 | |
| Monarch | |
| Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
| Deputy | Denis Lebel Lisa Raitt Leona Alleslev |
| Preceded by | Rona Ambrose |
| Succeeded by | Erin O'Toole |
| Leader of the Conservative Party | |
| In office May 27, 2017 – August 24, 2020 | |
| Deputy | Denis Lebel Lisa Raitt Leona Alleslev |
| Preceded by | Rona Ambrose (interim) |
| Succeeded by | Erin O'Toole |
| 35thSpeaker of the House of Commons | |
| In office June 2, 2011 – December 3, 2015 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | David Johnston |
| Prime Minister | Stephen Harper |
| Deputy | Denise Savoie Joe Comartin |
| Preceded by | Peter Milliken |
| Succeeded by | Geoff Regan |
| Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Chair of Committees of the Whole | |
| In office November 21, 2008 – June 1, 2011 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governors General | Michaëlle Jean David Johnston |
| Prime Minister | Stephen Harper |
| Preceded by | Bill Blaikie |
| Succeeded by | Denise Savoie |
| Assistant Deputy Chair of the Committees of the Whole | |
| In office April 5, 2006 – November 20, 2008 | |
| Speaker | Peter Milliken |
| Preceded by | Jean Augustine |
| Succeeded by | Barry Devolin |
| Member of Parliament forRegina—Qu'Appelle | |
| Assumed office June 28, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Lorne Nystrom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Andrew James Scheer (1979-05-20)May 20, 1979 (age 45) Ottawa,Ontario, Canada |
| Citizenship | |
| Political party | Conservative (2003–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Reform (1998–2000) Alliance (2000–2003) |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Jon Ryan (brother-in-law) |
| Residence(s) | Regina, Saskatchewan[1] Stornoway (2017–2020) |
| Education | University of Ottawa (BA) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Official website |
Andrew James ScheerPC MP (born May 20, 1979) is a Canadian politician who has served as themember of Parliament (MP) forRegina—Qu'Appelle since2004. Scheer served as the 35thspeaker of the House of Commons from 2011 to 2015, and was the leader of theConservative Party andleader of the Official Opposition from 2017 to 2020.
Scheer earned aBachelor of Arts (BA) in criminology, political science, and history. Elected to represent theSaskatchewan riding of Regina—Qu'Appelle at the age of 25, Scheer was re-elected in2006,2008, and2011 before becoming House speaker at age 32, making him the youngest speaker in the chamber's history. He held the speaker role for the entirety of the41st Canadian Parliament. Following the Conservatives' defeat in2015, Scheer launched his campaign forthe leadership of the Conservative Party, running under the slogan of "Real conservative. Real leader." On May 27, 2017, he was elected leader of the Conservative Party in anupset, narrowly defeating former cabinet ministerMaxime Bernier.
Scheer has described himself as focused on economic development, fiscal restraint, and reducing inefficiencies in government. He is a staunch opponent of the federalcarbon tax and favours the construction of severalpipelines. In the2019 federal election, the Conservatives under Scheer received a plurality of the popular vote and gained 26 seats, but remained theOfficial Opposition. On December 12, 2019, following weeks of criticism within the party for the unsuccessful campaign he ran, Scheer abruptly announced he would be resigning as party leader effective upon the election of a new one. He was succeeded as leader onAugust 24, 2020 by former cabinet ministerErin O'Toole.
Scheer was born on May 20, 1979,[2] at theRiverside Hospital[3] inOttawa,Ontario and was raised in Ottawa. He is the son of Mary Gerarda Therese (née Enright), a nurse, and James D. Scheer,[4][5] a librarian, proofreader with theOttawa Citizen, andCatholicdeacon.[6][7] James was born in the United States, making his son Andrew a U.S. citizen at birth despite being born in Canada.[8] According to a 2019 Maclean's article, Scheer's family earned considerably more than the median income for most Canadian families.[9] Scheer has two sisters.[10] Part of Scheer's family is fromRomania.[11][12] Scheer spent summers during his youth with his maternal grandparents inMississauga.[13] Scheer graduated fromImmaculata High School and received the school's "Distinguished Catholic Alumni Award" in 2012.[14]
In 1998, Scheer began his studies in criminology,[15] political science, and history at theUniversity of Ottawa;[16] he would ultimately graduate in 2008, receiving hisBachelor of Arts (BA) degree four years after he was first elected to Parliament.[17] During his earlier university years, Scheer worked on several political campaigns, including theUnite the Right campaign to merge theProgressive Conservative andReform parties andPreston Manning'scampaign to lead theCanadian Alliance. He also worked in the correspondence department of the Office of theleader of the Opposition underStockwell Day.[6][18] Scheer also worked on Ottawa city councillorKarin Howard's youth advisory committee. In his third year of university, Scheer ran as a school trustee for theOttawa-Carleton Catholic School Board in the2000 Ottawa municipal elections[15] but lost to incumbent Kathy Ablett.[19] After meeting his future wife Jill Ryan at the University of Ottawa, Scheer moved to her hometown ofRegina, Saskatchewan, and continued his studies at theUniversity of Regina, taking some courses for his BA there.[20]
In Regina, Scheer worked as an insurance clerk, a waiter, and an assistant in the constituency office ofCanadian Alliance MPLarry Spencer.[6][21][22] In 2005, Scheer's blog as an MP listed that he was an accredited insurance broker,[23] and in 2007 the biography section on Scheer's MP website stated that he passed the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker program in Saskatchewan and started his insurance industry career at Shenher Insurance in Regina.[16] During the2019 election, when Scheer wasConservative leader, his biography on the party website stated that he had worked as aninsurance broker.[24] Upon investigationThe Globe and Mail found no evidence that he was everaccredited as an insurance broker.[25] Scheer responded to these claims by maintaining that he received accreditation for general insurance after leaving Shenher Insurance in Regina.[26] As of September 2019, the provincial regulator, Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan, was reviewing the matter.[26]
Scheer was elected at age 25 as aConservative candidate in thefederal election of 2004, in theriding ofRegina—Qu'Appelle, beatingNew Democratic Party (NDP) MPLorne Nystrom by 861 votes.[27] Near the end of the race, Scheer accused Nystrom of being soft on child pornography.[28] Scheer was re-elected in thefederal election of 2006, again defeating Nystrom, this time by a margin of 2,740 votes.[29]
In April 2006, during the39th Canadian Parliament, Scheer was named as assistant deputy chairman of Committees of the Whole, one of three deputy speakers. He also sponsored a bill that would createminimum sentences for those convicted ofmotor vehicle theft called Bill C-343,An Act to amend the Criminal Code (motor vehicle theft).[30]
On November 21, 2008, during the40th Canadian Parliament, he was nameddeputy speaker of the House of Commons and chairman of Committees of the Whole, succeeding NDP MPBill Blaikie.[31]
When the Conservative Party won a majority at thefederal election in 2011, Scheer's experience as deputy speaker led many to consider him the front-runner tobe electedspeaker of the House of Commons.[32][33] On June 2, 2011, Scheer defeatedDenise Savoie, the lone opposition and only woman candidate, in the sixth round of balloting. Scheer became the youngest House speaker in Canadian history.[34] Liberal MPs, who opposed Scheer's candidacy, criticized the NDP for voting for their own party member instead of tipping the balance toward Conservative MPLee Richardson based on the MPs' beliefs that Scheer was "Harper's Boy".[35]
During his tenure, some individual opposition MPs were critical of some of his decisions. Liberal MPIrwin Cotler questioned his impartiality due to a decision over a robocall incident withCampaign Research (it was reported that Scheer was a client of the firm).[36]
During the2011 Canadian federal election voter suppression scandal, opposition politicians raised concerns over Scheer's interventions to block questions afterThe Globe and Mail revealed that his riding association loaned $3,000 to Marty Burke while Burke's campaign was under scrutiny byElections Canada over the incident.[37]
Scheer was re-elected in the2015 federal election in which the Conservative government was defeated.[38] He was appointedopposition House leader by leader of the Official Opposition and interimConservative party leaderRona Ambrose. He thought about running for the position of interim party leader but was dissuaded by fellow caucus MPChris Warkentin, who pointed out that the interim leader cannot take the permanent position.[39] On September 13, 2016, he announced his resignation as House leader outside a party caucus meeting in Halifax in order to explore a bid for theleadership of the federal Conservative Party.[40]
In 2016, Scheer publicly voiced his support for the UK's decision to vote in favour ofBrexit during thereferendum.[41] Later in 2018, Scheer tweeted, "I was pro-Brexit before it was cool."[42]
On September 28, 2016, Scheer announced his bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party, saying that he had the support of 32 members of the Conservative caucus.[43][44] On May 27, 2017, Scheer was elected as the second leader of the Conservative Party, beating runner upMaxime Bernier and more than 12 others with 50.95 per cent of the vote through 13 rounds.[45] Bernier later attributed his failure to what he called the "fake conservatives" in thesupply management dairy lobby and agricultural sector. Scheer garnered laughs at the annual Press Gallery dinner by joking:[46]
"I certainly don't owe my leadership victory to anybody...", stopping in mid-sentence to take a swig of 2% milk from the carton. "It's a high quality drink and it's affordable too."
Scheer's campaign for the Conservative leadership was run under the slogan "Real conservative. Real leader."[47] He avoided advocating thesocial conservative issues that some of the candidates championed, saying that he wanted to "reach a broader audience of Canadians". Positions on which he took a strong stance included scrapping thecarbon tax and being "tough on crime".[48] During his political career, Scheer has been compared to formerPrime MinisterStephen Harper, and has been called "Harper with a smile"[49] or "Stephen Harper 2.0".[50][51] Scheer is considered aBlue Tory[52] and is critical of the policies of Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau, having also been critical of Trudeau's late father, former prime ministerPierre Trudeau.[53] Scheer considered former prime ministerJohn Diefenbaker and Britishmember of the European Parliament (MEP)Daniel Hannan as political influences.[54] Scheer describedU.S. senatorsTed Cruz andMarco Rubio as "strong conservative voices" during the 2016 Manning Center Conference.[55] Unlike other candidates, Scheer's leadership team was focused less on headlines or eye-grabbing policy and more on data and organizing.[56]
During the Conservative leadership race, Scheer stated that he would balance the federal budget within two years of forming government, but his platform on specific reforms to accomplish this was not revealed at that time.[57]
Scheer benefited from the unexpected support ofBrad Trost during the leadership race. It was reported that some of Trost supporters contravened theCanada Elections Act and party membership rules by offering incentives to vote.Dimitri Soudas, a former Harper aide, pointed out that it violated election rules and it benefited Scheer's campaign but the ballots had been destroyed so the result stood.[58]
Scheer was criticized by opposition politicians for removing his campaign platform after winning the Conservative leadership race.[59][60] Conservative strategists suggested that the ideas proposed by Scheer during the race were not likely to be part of the party's 2019 election platform.[61] It was later revealed in aDairy Farmers of Canada briefing document after the 2018 Conservative Convention in Halifax that "The powers of the leader are far reaching in preventing policy from being in the party platform. DFC [Dairy Farmers of Canada] has been told by the Leader’s office that he will exercise this power, and that this policy will not be in the Conservative election platform regardless of the outcome at convention".[62]
The day after the election it was revealed that Hamish Marshall, Scheer's campaign manager, was listed as an IT specialist and one of the directors of thefar right news outletThe Rebel Media.[63][64][65] On October 16, 2017,The Globe and Mail asked Scheer if he knew that Marshall worked for the Rebel during the leadership campaign, he responded: "I didn't ask Hamish about every client he had" and then ended the interview. Later, a Conservative spokesperson clarified that Scheer was aware that the Rebel was one of Marshall's many clients, but did not know the specifics.[66][67] The day after, Marshall was named Conservative campaign chair for the43rd Canadian federal election.[68] On March 21, 2018, in an interview withMacleans, Scheer stated that Marshall and his past relationship with the Rebel should not be conflated with his selection as campaign chair.[69]
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After the August 2017Charlottesville, Virginia "Unite the Right" rally, Scheer denouncedRebel News[70] due to its sympathetic coverage of the rally,[71] and stated that he would stop doing interviews with The Rebel Media until its "editorial directions" changed.[72] The following day, Scheer stated that he would not be granting interviews with Rebel going forward in an interview with theNational Post.[73]
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On January 4, 2018, Scheer expelled SenatorLynn Beyak from the Conservative caucus, after she refused to remove one of her letters that suggested Indigenous people want to get things for "no effort". He also stated that "Racism will not be tolerated in the Conservative caucus or Conservative Party of Canada".[74] Scheer said that his office was only aware of the letters on 2 January, but Garnet Angeconeb, aresidential school survivor, stated that he emailed Scheer and Conservative Senate LeaderLarry Smith about them on September 15, 2017, and did not get a response.[75] In response, Beyak said neither Scheer nor anyone from his office contacted her to take down a letter.[76] A senior Conservative source supported Beyak's accusation.[77]
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Scheer travelled to the United Kingdom in March 2018 to "lay the groundwork" for aCanada–UK trade agreement, should he become prime minister after the2019 election.[78] In London, he met with Prime MinisterTheresa May,Foreign SecretaryBoris Johnson, and other UK ministers includingLiam Fox andSajid Javid.[79] Scheer's trip faced minor criticism fromThe Globe and Mail and theOttawa Citizen. TheCitizen editorial commented that the trip was "undiplomatic" and "not statesmanlike", while theGlobe editorial pointed out that a Canada–UK trade agreement had already been announced the prior year by Prime Minister Trudeau.[80][81]
Toward the end of March 2018, the Opposition held afilibuster over the government's India trip, which was intended to persuade the governing Liberals to answer questions in the House of Commons about the apparent scandal, and provide open and transparent information to the Canadian public; the filibuster lasted 21 hours costing taxpayers $50,000 per hour in overtime fees.[82][83] It was revealed that a few days before commencing the filibuster to demand information, Scheer's office was offered a briefing by thePrivy Council Office regarding the trip. A spokesperson of Scheer's responded to these claims by stating "Has the government offered Andrew a briefing? The answer is 'no'", and "This [is] fake news."[84] A day later, Andrew Scheer called the allegation "completely false" and stated he would accept an offer if it were made to all members of Parliament. It was later revealed that theclerk of the Privy Council,Michael Wernick approached Scheer's chief of staff and Conservative MPTony Clement to brief Scheer on any information the Privy Council may have. Clement responded that he would not confirm or deny it.[85] A couple of weeks later, Scheer accepted a briefing on the matter.[86]
After the Conservative Convention in August 2018, Scheer denied an allegation that the Dairy Farmers of Canada worked with his office to block a motion to change the party's position onsupply management after a page from the briefing book was already made public on Twitter by a Conservative delegate.[62][87]
At the 2019 election, Scheer led the Conservatives to a gain of 26 seats for a total of 121, up from 95 at the time of dissolution.[88] However, they finished 36 seats behind the Liberals despite winning 34.4 per cent of the popular vote to the Liberals' 33.1 per cent, a margin of just over 240,000 votes. It was the first time since 1979 that a party won the most seats without winning the popular vote.[89][90] It was also the first time since a government took power with less than 35 per cent of the national popular vote since theJohn A. Macdonald-led Tories in 1867, who had 34.8 per cent.[91]
Much of the Conservatives' plurality was built on large margins in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where they won 70 per cent and 65 per cent of the popular vote, respectively.[92] However, they only won five seats in the suburbs of theGreater Toronto Area and were completely shut out in Toronto itself, in part due to theprovincial Conservative government of PremierDoug Ford.[89][93]
On December 12, 2019, Scheer announced that he would resign as leader of the Conservatives and Official Opposition, staying on until a new leader could be selected.[94] The same day, the Conservative Party confirmed that it had been paying the difference in the cost of private school tuition for Scheer's children in Saskatchewan and the higher cost of tuition in Ottawa—insisting the tuition matter was not the reason for Scheer's resignation.[94]
On September 8, 2020, Scheer was announced as the Opposition Critic for Infrastructure & Communities in his successorErin O'Toole's shadow cabinet.[95] In that role, he sponsored private member Bill C-269 to amend the Fisheries Act to prohibit the deposit of raw sewage in water frequented by fish.[96][97]
On February 2, 2022, Scheer posed for a picture posted onSaskatoon—Grasswood MPKevin Waugh's Twitter page[98] along with Waugh,Battlefords-Lloydminster MPRosemarie Falk,Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan MPFraser Tolmie,Regina-Lewvan MPWarren Steinley andSen.Denise Batters standing with theSaskatchewan flag at theFreedom Convoy 2022.[99] The mayor ofOttawa,Jim Watson, demanded an apology, as he felt the protesters actions are not welcomed and that "MPs and senator in the picture should know better."[99]
He has endorsedPierre Poilievre's campaign to be leader of the Conservative Party in the2022 Conservative Leadership Election.
On September 13, 2022, Poilievre, as leader of the Conservative Party, appointed Scheer to becomeOpposition House Leader.
Scheer has proposed a tax cut for the lowest income tax bracket. This tax bracket, for income up to $47,630, would be reduced from 15 per cent to 13.75 per cent over the next four years. The Conservatives has stated this tax cut would save the average individual $444 a year, and a two-income couple $850 per year.[100][101][102] Scheer has promised to restore the Children's Fitness Tax Credit, where families can claim $1,000 annually for costs related to fitness or sports. Families with children with disabilities can claim $1,500.[103][104][105] Scheer has stated that he will cancel Canada's $250 million annual contribution to theAsian Infrastructure Investment Bank.[103][104]
Scheer has expressed support forfree markets stating that he believes in "a free market where businesses profit by having the best product or service".[106]
Scheer was a major advocate for the removal of theCanadian Wheat Board.[107] Scheer proposed a policy to mandate the inclusion of national flag decals on gas pumps to highlight "Canadian-sourced, ethically produced oil".[108]
Scheer has pledged to repeal thefederal carbon tax in order to reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses.[109]
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Scheer says he wants to make maternity and parental leave less expensive for families. He has promised to make employment insurance for parental and maternity benefits tax-free.[110] He wants to introduce a tax credit to families who send their children to private schools. Scheer also proposes raising the limit on how much employment income a parent can earn each week while on leave. He has vowed to remove HST/GST from home heating bills and lower business taxes.[111][112] In February 2018 Scheer introduced a private member bill, the second of his career. Bill C-394, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (parenting tax credit), or as he titled it the Supporting New Parents Act, would create a new tax credit intended to offset federal taxes owing on benefits received from maternity and parental leave.[113] The parliamentary budget office found out that the credit would cost $607.6 million in lost revenue and would rise incrementally each year for the next five years.[114]
During the2019 Canadian federal election, Scheer proposed he would legislate that corporate takeovers by foreignstate-owned enterprises be subject to a national-security review.[115]
Scheer has promised to increase the federal government's contribution to theRegistered Education Savings Plan (RESP), increasing it from 20 per cent to 30 per cent annually up to $2,500. He added that low-income families would receive 50 per cent on the first $500 invested instead of the current 40 per cent.[116][117] He has also promised to revive the Children's Arts and Learning Tax Credit, where families can claim $500 per child for extracurricular arts or education programs, and families with children with disabilities are eligible to claim $1,000 per child.[103][105]
Scheer has described his opposition to a federally-imposedcarbon tax. He has said that if he is to form government, he will act to repeal any elements of a plan to implement a carbon tax enacted by the Trudeau government.[108]
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Scheer has proposed to restore the public transit tax credit, which the party says is part of its environment plan. The Green Public Transit Tax Credit, would refund transit users a 15 per cent credit on their taxes of the cost of a fare pass.[118][119] Scheer has also promised to implement a Green Home Tax Credit, where homeowners could claim a 20 per cent refundable tax credit for spending between $1,000 and $20,000 on energy-efficient home renovations.[120][121] The Conservative climate plan also promises a $250 million investment in a "green technology and innovation fund," that would leverage public and private funds to help green tech companies and entrepreneurs secure capital.[122][123]
In October 2016, Scheer voted against the ratification of theParis Agreement.[124] However, he voted to reaffirm Canadian ratification on the Paris Agreement in June 2017. Pundits argued that his June 2017 vote was used as a way to avoid accusations comparing him toU.S. PresidentDonald Trump, whopulled the United States out of the accord, a few days earlier.[125][126][127]
Scheer toldLe Soleil that he does not support a "war on cars" when supporting a tunnel between Quebec City and Levis.[128]
Scheer pledged that a Conservative government would extend the period of background checks to an individual's entire life instead of the current system of five years.[129] He opposes a long-gun registry, opposes a proposed ban onhandgun ownership, and has pledged to repeal the new regulations in the Liberal government's Bill C-71.[130] Scheer has proposed to introduce legislation that classifies firearms, instead of giving the authority to cabinet or theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).[131]
Scheer says he would not pursue afree trade agreement with China if he were prime minister, and he would banHuawei from Canada's 5G network.[132] He has criticized the Liberals for not ratifying theTrans-Pacific Partnership quickly enough.[133]
In December 2017, when U.S. PresidentDonald Trump announced his decision to recognizeJerusalem as Israel's capital, Scheer did not take a public position. However, on February 26, 2018, Scheer stated that a Conservative government – if elected in 2019 – would recognizeJerusalem as Israel'scapital.[134][135]
Scheer tweeted in May 2018 that he was "praying for the safety of the soldiers of theIsraeli Defense Forces and all Israelis tonight as they face missile attacks".[136]
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told CTV's "Question Period" that the government was examining means to block shipment of Canadian-built light-armoured vehicles toSaudi Arabia in protest of the brutal murder of journalistJamal Khashoggi, Scheer stated that he firmly opposed any such move by the Liberal government. The arms sale to Saudi Arabia was brokered by the former Conservative government.[137] Scheer has stated that Canada should ban the import of oil from Saudi Arabia due to human rights and environmental concerns.[138] In 2018 Scheer demanded that the gender-based analysis requirement imposed on Canadian pipeline projects by the Liberal government be instead applied to oil imported from Saudi Arabia.[139]
Scheer was one of thirteen Canadians banned from travelling to Russiaunder retaliatory sanctions imposed by PresidentVladimir Putin in March 2014.[140] Scheer supported sendingpeacekeepers to theRussian-Ukrainian border believing that "the defence of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be a priority for Canada's government on the international stage."[141]
Scheer wants to prioritize helping those he considers the most vulnerable refugees, namely religious minorities like Christians in the Middle East who face death forconversion away from Islam.[110] He prefers to help refugees integrate through private sponsorship instead of government sponsorship. He contends that the refugees who are currently struggling to find housing, jobs and language training do so because of the Liberal Party "using a devastating tragedy for political purposes".[142]
In 2018, Scheer opposed theGlobal Compact for Migration.[143]
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On February 8, 2018, Scheer expressed good will towards opening theconstitution in support of then-premierPhilippe Couillard's proposal based around five conditions which were: the codification of a distinct society; limits on federal spending power; while guaranteeing representation on theSupreme Court; a constitutional veto right; and increased control over immigration to Quebec in the constitution.[144] In May 2018, Scheer promised to advocate for a robustQuebec nationalism, and to give Quebec more control over immigration and culture as well as collecting then transferring their federal income tax.[145][146]
On March 28, 2018, TheJournal de Montréal revealed that Scheer's personal website was offered in English only. After the publication of the article, a French version of the site was created.[147]
In August 2018 Scheer defended a woman with links to anti-immigration activist groups such as the Front Patriotique du Quebec and theStorm Alliance after Justin Trudeau denounced her questions.[148]
Scheer opposes the non-partisan senate and has suggested that he would appoint people to the Senate "who share my goal of lowering taxes and growing the private sector". He also said "they would be Conservative senators who would implement the conservative vision for Canada".[149]
On September 16, 2017, Scheer criticized SenatorLynn Beyak following her comments about Indigenous people. He stated that any decision to remove her would be made by the leader of the Conservatives in the Senate,Larry Smith.[150] Beyak was eventually expelled from the caucus on January 4, 2018.[151] Scheer has encouraged the Senate Conservative Caucus to block the passage of theCannabis Act.[152]
Scheer is consideredpro-life by theCampaign Life Coalition and "has an impeccable pro life voting record" in the House of Commons.[153][154] He has said that he will respect the Conservative Party's official policy on abortion, which currently states, "A Conservative government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion".[155] Scheer reiterated his stance on abortion during a 2017CBC News interview, stating that he still considers himself pro-life, but would not reopen the issue if he were prime minister.[156] In 2008, he was disappointed when the Order of Canada was given toHenry Morgentaler, and annoyed that his award came onCanada Day.[157] In 2018, Scheer accused the Liberal government of "imposing" the prime minister's views on upholding "women's rights and women's reproductive rights" when faith groups are applying for funding for summer jobs programs.[158]
Scheer voted againstBill C-14, which allows practitioners to assist in the suicide of mentally competent adults with "enduring and intolerable suffering" in cases where death is "reasonably foreseeable".[159][153]
Scheer was critical of Justin Trudeau's endorsement of comments made byGovernor GeneralJulie Payette on questioning people who supportcreationism stating that millions were "offended" by her comments.[160][161][162][163][164][165]
Scheer has promised that universities or colleges "that do not foster a culture of free speech and inquiry on campus" will not receive federal funding under his government, though afterUniversity of Toronto said it would not open space on its campus for an event hosted by theCanadian Nationalist Party, he stated "I respect the right for universities to determine which outside groups they give a platform to. And so that's within their purview" and that his policy would be based on "an objective set of criteria".[110][166] When asked by cabinet memberKirsty Duncan if a school likeSt. Paul University blocking a film onabortion would fit in his criteria, Scheer said no.[167][168]
During the 2004 election campaign, Scheer opposedsame-sex marriage.[169] As an individual MP, he publicly voiced his opposition in the House of Commons debate against recognizing same-sex marriage and voted in favour of a 2006 motion to reopen debate on the issue.[153] Scheer has stated that, as leader of the Conservative caucus – where there is no consensus on the issue – he will not try to reopen the debate on same-sex marriage.[155][170][171] In 2016, Scheer supported the removal of "traditional definition of marriage" from the conservative party policy book.[172]
In 2005, Scheer defendedBishop Fred Henry's statements against the legalization of same-sex marriage,[173] stating "to think that a Catholic bishop must answer to a civil authority over matters of faith is abominable. It is abhorrent to me, to other Catholics and to every member of every faith community."[171]
Scheer voted against Bill C-210, which altered the lyrics of thenational anthem to a gender-neutral form. When asked about his vote, he expressed disappointment on the bill's passing in 2016 and stated that he would sing the "old version" until the law received royal assent, which was the day after his comments.[174]
Scheer describes himself as afeminist and advocates for a gender-diverse senior team stating, "I think the core of that is to recognize the fundamental equality between men and women."[175]
On January 31, 2018, Scheer was asked if he had ever acted inappropriately in the past, in which he responded by "No", and "A good friend of mine when I first got elected said nothing good happens in Ottawa after 8:00pm and I've tried to live by that rule."[176]
After it was revealed that the2015 Conservative campaign team knew about sexual misconduct allegations against former Conservative MPRick Dykstra, Scheer responded by stating he could not speak to "decisions made by past campaign teams". However, after Conservative MPsMaxime Bernier andBrad Trost called for an investigation into the party's handling of Dykstra's candidacy whileMichelle Rempel criticized the party's decision, Scheer called for a third-party investigation on January 31, 2018.[176] On February 6, 2018, Scheer declined to comment on the fate of those involved in the mishandling of the allegations against Dykstra during the 2015 election or say whether those involved remain welcome into the party.[177]
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When asked about his stance on Canada's potential legalization of marijuana in April 2017, he said though he is not in favour of the motion, "I am very realistic, and once it's legal in a short period of time there's going to be a lot of people that work for companies that distribute it ... so we have to be very realistic as a party."[178] During theChicoutimi—Le Fjord by-election, Scheer stated that he is opposed to the pending legalization of marijuana and made it an issue during the campaign.[179] In an interview withTout le Monde en Parle in May 2018, Scheer admitted that he had smoked marijuana when he was younger, but reinforced his opposition to the bill, and would not rule out the possibility to re-criminalize marijuana if he wins the election.[180][181] However, in October 2018, Scheer stated that the Conservatives would not re-criminalize marijuana, noting how the Conservative Party "recognize the reality," of legal cannabis, and "do not intend to go back and make marijuana illegal again."[182]
In the leadership race, Scheer accused Justin Trudeau of wanting to legalize heroin.[183] He has also accused Health MinisterGinette Petitpas Taylor on Twitter of trying to "legalize" hard drugs which he corrected to "decriminalize".[184][185] Scheer is critical of safe-injection sites arguing that "the government makes it quote unquote safer to inject illicit drugs".[186] During the 2019 election, Scheer defended Conservative ads targeted atChinese-Canadians that falsely claimed that the Liberals were planning to legalize all drugs.[187]
Scheer has publicly denounced the Liberal government's decision to end its lawsuit withOmar Khadr for what was reported to be a $10.5 million settlement. Scheer argued that Khadr's compensation should have been limited to the right of repatriation, which Khadr had received in 2012.[188]
The Globe and Mail reported that Scheer was not posting details of his private fundraising events. Scheer previously criticized Justin Trudeau for hosting cash-for-access fundraisers. Scheer stated that, "The Prime Minister of Canada is a public office holder and … he and his cabinet have held a number of receptions that are directly linked with stakeholders and the portfolios that they may have views on the file".[189]
On October 31, 2017, it was reported that Scheer had three real estate limited partnerships (RELPs): investment vehicles that reduce the holders' tax burden by writing off up to 50 per cent of their initial investment, for those who make an average income of $75,000 or more in Saskatchewan. Scheer invested $75,000 in the RELPs, and his holdings were previously disclosed to theethics commissioner.[190]
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Scheer married Jill Ryan at theHoly Rosary Cathedral in Regina in 2003.[191] The couple have five children together.[192][193] Scheer is a practising Catholic who attends Sunday mass and is an active member of theKnights of Columbus.[169][194] His children attend a privatefaith-based school.[195] According toGlobal News, "Scheer’s French is passable, but he’s not fluently bilingual."[110]
Scheer is a hunter and firearm owner.[196] Agridiron football fan, Scheer supports theSeattle Seahawks andSaskatchewan Roughriders; his brother-in-law is professional football playerJon Ryan.[197][198] Another of his wife's brothers, Steve Ryan, ran for the Saskatchewan NDP in the 2007 and 2011 provincial elections.[199]
When he was speaker of the House of Commons from 2011 to 2015, he lived at the official residence, calledthe Farm, in theGatineau Hills. When he was the leader of the Opposition, he lived in theStornoway.
Scheer is adual citizen, holding Canadian and U.S. citizenship, which he obtained through his American-born father.[200][201] Scheer confirmed that he has filed U.S. tax returns and the party verified that he is registered forthe draft under theU.S. Selective Service System, which is a list of individuals who can be conscripted into theU.S. military in the event of a national emergency.[202] Scheer denied that he had been hiding this information, but rather stated that he had never been asked about his dual citizenship, nor about having an American-born parent, before the information was revealed byThe Globe and Mail during the2019 federal election campaign.[200][201] During the election campaign he indicated that he was in the process ofrenouncing his American citizenship,[203] but following the campaign in May 2020, he announced that he no longer plans to renounce his American citizenship, as he will not be prime minister.[204]
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
 | Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Canada |
|
| 2021 Canadian federal election:Regina—Qu'Appelle | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Andrew Scheer | 20,400 | 61.9 | -1.2 | $91,531.28 | |||
| New Democratic | Annaliese Bos | 6,879 | 20.9 | +1.1 | $2,979.46 | |||
| Liberal | Cecilia Melanson | 3,344 | 10.1 | -1.6 | $2,031.08 | |||
| People's | Andrew Yubeta | 1,668 | 5.1 | +3.8 | $4,045.00 | |||
| Green | Naomi Hunter | 668 | 2.0 | -1.3 | $9,007.92 | |||
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | 32,959 | 99.2 | – | $106,873.27 | ||||
| Total rejected ballots | 254 | 0.8 | ||||||
| Turnout | 33,213 | 60.0 | ||||||
| Eligible voters | 55,401 | |||||||
| Conservativehold | Swing | -1.2 | ||||||
| Source:Elections Canada[205] | ||||||||
| 2019 Canadian federal election:Regina—Qu'Appelle | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Andrew Scheer | 24,463 | 63.12 | +18.42 | $51,267.61 | |||
| New Democratic | Ray Aldinger | 7,685 | 19.83 | -10.38 | $2,559.68 | |||
| Liberal | Jordan Ames-Sinclair | 4,543 | 11.72 | -11.06 | $8,859.46 | |||
| Green | Dale Dewar | 1,282 | 3.31 | +1.00 | $4,459.24 | |||
| People's | Tracey Sparrowhawk | 513 | 1.32 | – | none listed | |||
| Libertarian | James Plummer | 116 | 0.30 | – | $3.05 | |||
| Independent | Kieran Szuchewycz | 78 | 0.20 | – | $0.00 | |||
| Rhinoceros | Éric Normand | 75 | 0.19 | – | none listed | |||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | 38,755 | 99.17 | – | $103,664.70 | ||||
| Total rejected ballots | 323 | 0.83 | +0.41 | |||||
| Turnout | 38,078 | 69.27 | +0.99 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 56,412 | |||||||
| Conservativehold | Swing | +14.40 | ||||||
| Source:Elections Canada[206][207] | ||||||||
| 2015 Canadian federal election:Regina—Qu'Appelle | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Andrew Scheer | 16,486 | 44.70 | -8.49 | $118,170.22 | |||
| New Democratic | Nial Kuyek | 11,144 | 30.21 | -8.44 | $65,386.08 | |||
| Liberal | Della Anaquod | 8,401 | 22.78 | +18.02 | $21,967.01 | |||
| Green | Greg Chatterson | 852 | 2.31 | -0.67 | $3,114.91 | |||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | 36,883 | 99.59 | $202,239.34 | |||||
| Total rejected ballots | 152 | 0.41 | – | |||||
| Turnout | 37,035 | 68.28 | – | |||||
| Eligible voters | 54,240 | |||||||
| Conservativehold | Swing | -0.03 | ||||||
| Source:Elections Canada[208][209] | ||||||||
| 2011 Canadian federal election:Regina—Qu'Appelle | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Andrew Scheer | 15,896 | 53.5 | +1.8 | $78,726 | |||
| New Democratic | Fred Clipsham | 11,419 | 38.4 | +6.3 | $63,800 | |||
| Liberal | Jackie Miller | 1,400 | 4.7 | -5.8 | $15,991 | |||
| Green | Greg Chatterson | 879 | 3.0 | -2.8 | $9,100 | |||
| Independent | Jeff Breti | 127 | 0.4 | – | $18,116 | |||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | 29,721 | 100.0 | $81,793 | |||||
| Total rejected ballots | 97 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||
| Turnout | 29,818 | 61.7 | +4 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 48,300 | – | – | |||||
| Conservativehold | Swing | -2.25 | ||||||
| 2008 Canadian federal election:Regina—Qu'Appelle | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Andrew Scheer | 14,068 | 51.7 | +10.4 | $78,480 | |||
| New Democratic | Janice Bernier | 8,699 | 32.1 | -0.3 | $44,446 | |||
| Liberal | Rod Flaman | 2,809 | 10.5 | -12.7 | $17,222 | |||
| Green | Greg Chatterson | 1,556 | 5.8 | +2.5 | $8,194 | |||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | 27,135 | 100.0 | $78,949 | |||||
| Total rejected ballots | 81 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||
| Turnout | 27,213 | 57 | -7 | |||||
| Conservativehold | Swing | +5.35 | ||||||
| 2006 Canadian federal election:Regina—Qu'Appelle | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Andrew Scheer | 12,753 | 41.3 | +5.5 | $71,773 | |||
| New Democratic | Lorne Nystrom | 10,041 | 32.4 | -0.3 | $50,501 | |||
| Liberal | Allyce Herle | 7,134 | 23.1 | -4.7 | $68,287 | |||
| Green | Brett Dolter | 1,016 | 3.3 | +1.0 | $545 | |||
| Total valid votes | 30,944 | 100.0 | – | |||||
| Total rejected ballots | 93 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||
| Turnout | 31,037 | 64 | +8 | |||||
| Conservativehold | Swing | +2.90 | ||||||
| 2000 Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board election: Zone 9 (River/Capital) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | ||||
| Kathy Ablett | 2,151 | 46.97 | ||||
| Catherine Maguire-Urban | 1,609 | 35.13 | ||||
| Andrew Scheer | 820 | 17.90 | ||||
| Source:[210] | ||||||
Deacon James D. Scheer Ottawa, Canada
His father, Jim Scheer is a permanent deacon at St. Patrick's Basilica and his mother Mary is an active and devout member of the parish.
James Scheer, a deacon of the Archdiocese of Ottawa, wasn't a card-carrying member of any political party until his son joined politics, but he was a small "c" conservative, and a classic liberal, who helped shape Scheer's thinking.
Scheer knew that a branch of his family originated in Romania.
A part of his family is Romanian and he recalls when Romanian troops shot the tyrant Nicolae Ceausescu.
My family is from Mississauga, and I have very fond memories of staying there with my grandparents for weeks at a time in the summer.
Others on that list [of candidates for Speaker] – Saskatchewan Tory MP and perceived frontrunner Andrew Scheer [...]
It's widely speculated, however, that a Conservative is going to get the position, and Andrew Scheer, who has served as Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Speaker for more than five years, is considered the frontrunner.
Andrew was said to have gotten the most laughs when he declared "I certainly don't owe my leadership victory to anybody...", stopping in mid-sentence to take a swig of 2% milk from the carton. "It's a high quality drink and it's affordable too."
Scheer has an impeccable voting record on life & family issues during his long career as a federal MP.
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Data from Wikidata| Parliament of Canada | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forRegina-Qu'Appelle 2004–present | Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons 2008–2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Speaker of the House of Commons 2011–2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons 2015–2016 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Leader of the Opposition 2017–2020 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Leader of theConservative Party 2017–2020 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
