Federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer - Photo Courtesy Wikipedia

By Lara Fominoff with files from The Canadian Press

Scheer Resigns

BREAKING NEWS: Federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer Resigns

Dec 12, 2019 | 9:54 AM

OTTAWA, ON – Federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has made it official: he is stepping down as leader of the Federal Conservative Party. He made the announcement to his caucus this morning, and has addressed his colleagues in the House of Commons. He will remain in his position as MP for the Regina Qu’appelle Constituency.

He says the process to elect a new leader will begin immediately.

Scheer said he has had the opportunity of a lifetime, and he had a lot of long, hard conversations over the last few months.

He appeared to become emotional, as he looked to his wife Jill, and thanked her for standing beside him.

“To chart the course ahead, we need someone to give 100 per cent,” said Scheer, adding that he now wants to put his family first.

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The Canadian Press reports, “His resignation comes as a direct result of new revelations that he was using Conservative Party money to pay for his children’s private schooling, according to Conservative sources who spoke with Global News.

Senior Conservatives say the expenditures were made without the knowledge or approval of the Conservative fund board, including the chair of the board.

There are also calls for the party president to resign over the schooling expenses.

It is unclear whether Scheer’s decision to stay on as leader until his replacement is chosen will satisfy those who had been calling for his removal, particularly in light of the news he had been using party money to pay for the private education of four of his five children, the youngest of whom is not yet in school.”

Scheer thanked his campaign donors, volunteers, followers and everyone who voted for his party across the country. He received a standing ovation from all MPs in the House shortly after his announcement was made.

“Let’s stay united,” he added.

The decision comes less than two months after a disappointing election result and after weeks of Conservative infighting about whether he should have a future as the head of the party.

Scheer was elected as the party leader in May 2017, barely besting Maxime Bernier in the contest.

The Conservatives held the Liberals to a minority government in October but many in the party had hoped for a better result.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked Scheer for his service saying he led with compassion and kindness; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh did the same, while acknowledging the importance of Scheer’s family and children, adding that “It’s a big sacrifice.”

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves Francois Blanchet offered his continued friendship to Scheer.

Lethbridge Conservative MP Rachael Harder tells LNN she’s really proud of the leadership he offered the party.

“I felt that he led with humility and integrity and that he was in it for the right reasons. He simply loves his country and wanted to serve Canada very well. He’s always been committed to unifying us from coast to coast, and he’s been really great at leading caucus internally.”

That said, Harder admits the announcement came as a shock.

“Certainly, it was not expected that he was going to step down. I was under the understanding that he would continue to lead the party.”

As for whether Harder was aware of whether, she knew about Scheer using Conservative Party money to fund one or more of his children’s private school fees, she said the party offered to reimburse some of the costs of moving to Ottawa.

“Upon those funds being offered to Andrew, you know, my understanding is that he agreed to receive them. This is something that happens quite often in political parties in order to help ease the transition for the leader and his family.”

Scheer earned around $260,000 per year as leader of the official opposition, and lives at the Stornoway, the residence of the official opposition leader, which also receives $70,000 per year in funding for maintenance. As for whether Conservative Party members were aware of the agreement to “ease his transition,” Harder isn’t sure.

“I’m unsure.”

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