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Andrew Scheer surfaces after controversial week for Conservative leader

Aug 29, 2019 | 10:04 AM

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is set to address social policy controversies that have dogged him and his party for the last week and raised questions about the party’s potential in the upcoming election.

Scheer is scheduled to make an announcement this afternoon in Toronto after days of ducking the spotlight following the emergence of a 14-year-old video in which he lays forth his opposition to same-sex marriage.

The video was released by the Liberals last Friday along with a demand that Scheer explain himself and whether as prime minister he’d still deny LGBTQ couples the right to marry.

While Scheer’s office hastened to put out that political fire with a statement saying he supports same-sex unions, calls have not abated for the party leader to address the issue in person and clarify his views.

Doubt has also been sown about what precisely a Conservative government would or would not allow when it came to a debate about abortion rights.

Quebec candidates have been told one would never happen, while Scheer has promised in the past to let MPs speak freely on any issue.

The Canadian Press