16.75°C Vancouver

Aug 12, 2020 3:34 PM -

Andrew Scheer likely marking last day in House of Commons as Opposition leader

Share On
andrew-scheer-likely-marking-last-day-in-house-of-commons-as-opposition-leader
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Today's sitting of Parliament is expected to be the last one that will see Andrew Scheer in the role of Conservative leader.

In addition to being an MP from Regina since 2004, he also served as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 2011 to 2015.

It was after the Tories lost government in 2015, and the subsequent resignation of then-leader Stephen Harper, that Scheer decided to go for the leadership job.

He won in 2017, eking out a very narrow victory over fellow MP Maxime Bernier.

He spent the next two years trying to gain recognition across the country, while shoring up the party's war chest and policy playbook in order to defeat the Liberal government in the Oct. 2019 election.

But despite the Liberals struggling with several scandals that reduced them to a minority, he failed to outright bring them down.

But the knives came out for Scheer almost immediately after election day.

Among the jabs: party insiders leaked an internal argument over Scheer using party funds to pay for his kids' private religious schooling, a fact unknown to many of the party's executives.

The vote for the Conservative leader is taking place by mail, and all ballots must be back by Aug. 21.

A winner is expected to be announced within days, and very likely before the next sitting of the Commons on Aug. 26.

Latest news

relief-for-surrey-residents-no-new-extortion-or-shooting-cases-reported-in-august
BCSep 01, 2026

Relief for Surrey Residents: No New Extortion or Shooting Cases Reported in August

Surrey residents and business owners have received some encouraging news, with the Surrey Police Service (SPS) reporting that no new extortion threats or extortion-related shootings were recorded in the city throughout August. According to the latest update from SPS, the improvement is being attributed to ongoing joint efforts involving police, local businesses and the wider community. Police say these collaborative efforts are now producing positive results on the ground. SPS emphasized, however, that officers continue to actively investigate previous extortion cases, pursue legal action and
BCSep 01, 2026

B.C. Government Announces Nearly 1,200 New Child-Care Spaces Across 22 School Districts

The British Columbia government has announced plans to create nearly 1,200 new licensed before-and-after-school child-care spaces across 22 school districts, including Surrey. Under the initiative, Peace Arch Elementary and Theresa Clarke Elementary in the Surrey School District will each receive 24 new child-care spaces. B.C. Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare said the time before and after school can be particularly challenging for parents who are balancing work and family responsibilities. Having child care available directly within school grounds will provide families with con
AlbertaSep 01, 2026

Nearly 400 Alberta Specialist Doctors Show Interest in New Dual-Practice Surgery Model

Nearly 400 specialist doctors in Alberta have expressed interest in participating in the province’s new dual-practice system, which will allow physicians to work within the public health-care system while also providing private services for selected surgeries, including hip and knee replacements. Although the legislation enabling the model is now in place, the office of Surgical Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said doctors must complete a formal application process before any private surgeries can begin. The first dual-practice surgeries are expected to take place this fall, following a r
targeted-shooting-in-coquitlam-police-seek-dashcam-footage
BCSep 01, 2026

Targeted Shooting in Coquitlam; Police Seek Dashcam Footage

Coquitlam RCMP are investigating a targeted shooting that occurred on Saturday, Aug. 29, and are asking drivers to review their dashcam footage from the area. Police said the incident took place in the 100-block of Schoolhouse Street between approximately 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Investigators are seeking video from vehicles that were travelling through or parked in the area during that time. RCMP said even footage that appears routine or unrelated could contain information valuable to the investigation. Police have determined that the shooting was targeted and said there is no ongoing risk to the p
AlbertaSep 01, 2026

Voting Preparations Accelerate for Alberta’s 10-Question Referendum

Preparations are ramping up for Alberta’s 10-question referendum, with Elections Alberta beginning to distribute special mail-in ballots ahead of the Oct. 19 vote. Voters who have already registered for a special ballot will begin receiving their voting packages by mail. They can also choose to pick up their ballots in person. The special-ballot option is available to eligible Alberta voters who want to vote by mail. The referendum will feature 10 questions covering immigration, constitutional reform and Alberta’s future within Canada. The 10th question asks voters to choose between keep

Related News