Latest News
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Andrew Scheer statement on the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre
Today, the Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, released the following statement on the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre:
“There were 14 of them. They were young, smart, and filled with ambition. Exactly 30 years ago today, these young women were heading to university.
“When they got up that morning, maybe they were nervously thinking of the exam period starting soon. They might have been thinking of future projects, the upcoming holidays, or reuniting with their families and loved ones.
“All their hopes and dreams were brutally ended that afternoon, when a man committed a violent crime. On December 6th, 1989, at the École Polytechnique, he separated men and women and started shooting the women, murdering 14 women and wounding many others.
“Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, and Annie Turcotte lost their lives.
“The victims of the École Polytechnique were targeted because they were women. Thirty years later, we pause on this day, December 6th, to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
“As a father of three young girls, as a brother to two sisters and as a husband, it pains me to think that women are still a target, that women are concerned for their safety, just because they are women.
“I call on all Canadians to demonstrate how much we value the safety, dignity and value of every life, of every single woman.
“Let us remember them, and through our actions, thirty years later, honour the memory of these innocent victims.” -
Andrew Scheer Statement on NATO Leaders Meeting
The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued this statement ahead the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders Meeting today in London, United Kingdom:
Since 1949, Canada has been a committed member of NATO. We have stood shoulder to shoulder with our allies in Europe and the United States to oppose tyranny and protect democracy around the world. Unfortunately, Justin Trudeau’s diplomatic failures and poor judgement in the last four years have diminished Canada’s role in the world.
Now, more than ever, NATO is an essential alliance as Vladimir Putin is showing no signs of ending his illegal occupation of Crimea and of stolen territory in Eastern Ukraine. Russia also represents a clear and present threat to Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. With the rapidly changing threats facing the world, Justin Trudeau cannot afford to abandon Canada’s duty to stand with our allies.
Justin Trudeau can begin by taking action at home to modernize our military, increase investments to Canada’s national defence, and strengthen our contributions as a reliable partner of NATO.
The world is watching. Under my leadership, Conservatives will continue to hold Justin Trudeau to account and press him to contribute alongside our allies to the collective defence of democratic security and stability.
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Andrew Scheer Announces Conservative Shadow Cabinet
The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, today announced the Conservative Shadow Cabinet for the first session of the 43rd Parliament.
“Our Conservative team is united, experienced and focused on finishing the job we started and replacing the Trudeau Liberals,” Scheer said. “The Shadow Cabinet I have announced today reflects the growing strength of our team and our commitment to work for Canadians from coast to coast.”
Conservative House of Commons Leadership Team:
- Deputy Leader: Leona Alleslev (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, Ontario)
- Quebec Political Lieutenant: Alain Rayes (Richmond—Arthabaska, Quebec)
- House Leader of the Official Opposition: Hon. Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, Manitoba)
- Chief Opposition Whip: Mark Strahl (Chilliwack—Hope, British Columbia)
- Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition: John Nater (Perth—Wellington, Ontario)
- Deputy Opposition Whip: John Brassard (Barrie—Innisfil, Ontario)
- Caucus-Party Liaison: Hon. Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk, Ontario)
- Conservative National Caucus Chair: Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard, Alberta)
- Caucus-OLO Coordinator: Chris Warkentin (Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, Alberta)
Conservative Shadow Cabinet:
- Ziad Aboultaif (Edmonton Manning, Alberta) – Digital Government
- Dan Albas (Central Okanagan—Simillkameen—Nicola, British Columbia) – Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
- Mel Arnold (North Okanagan—Shuswap, British Columbia) – Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
- John Barlow (Foothills, Alberta) – Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Michael Barrett (Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Ontario) – Ethics
- Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L’Érable, Quebec) – Infrastructure and Communities
- James Bezan (Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, Manitoba) – National Defence
- Hon. Steven Blaney (Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, Quebec) – Canadian Heritage
- Kelly Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, Saskatchewan) – Public Services and Procurement
- Colin Carrie (Oshawa, Ontario) – Canada/US Relations and Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
- Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, Ontario) – Democratic Institutions
- James Cumming (Edmonton Centre, Alberta) – Small Business and Export Promotion
- Raquel Dancho (Kildonan—St. Paul, Manitoba) – Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
- Chris d’Entremont (West Nova, Nova Scotia) – Official Languages and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- Gérard Deltell (Louis-Saint-Laurent, Quebec) – Intergovernmental Affairs
- Todd Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George, British Columbia) – Transport
- Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay (South Surrey—White Rock, British Columbia) – Environment and Climate Change
- Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Ontario) – Veterans Affairs (Associate) and Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
- Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L’Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec) – Rural Economic Development and Economic Development Agency of Canada for Regions of Quebec
- Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta) – Multiculturalism
- Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, Ontario) – Health
- Tracy Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country, British Columbia) – Interprovincial Trade
- Randy Hoback (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) – International Trade
- Matt Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend, Alberta) – Infrastructure and Communities (Associate)
- Pat Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge, Alberta) – Finance (Associate)
- Hon. Peter Kent (Thornhill, Ontario) – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
- Stephanie Kusie (Calgary Midnapore, Alberta) – Families, Children and Social Development
- Hon. Mike Lake (Edmonton—Wetaskiwin, Alberta) – International Development
- Richard Lehoux (Beauce, Quebec) – Agriculture and Agri-Food (Associate)
- Richard Martel (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, Quebec) – National Defence (Associate)
- Phil McColeman (Brantford—Brant, Ontario) – Veterans Affairs
- Cathy McLeod (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, British Columbia) – Natural Resources (Forestry and Mining)
- Hon. Rob Moore (Fundy Royal, New Brunswick) – Justice and Attorney General
- Marty Morantz (Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, Manitoba) – National Revenue
- Glen Motz (Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, Alberta) – Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (Associate)
- Hon. Erin O’Toole (Durham, Ontario) – Foreign Affairs
- Pierre Paul-Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, Quebec) – Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Carleton, Ontario) – Finance and National Capital Commission
- Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill, Alberta) – Industry and Economic Development
- Blake Richards (Banff—Airdrie, Alberta) – Tourism and Western Economic Diversification
- Bob Saroya (Markham—Unionville, Ontario) – Queen’s Privy Council for Canada
- Jamie Schmale (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, Ontario) – Crown-Indigenous Relations
- Shannon Stubbs (Lakeland, Alberta) – Natural Resources
- David Sweet (Flamborough—Glanbrook, Ontario) – International Human Rights and Religious Freedom
- Hon. Tim Uppal (Edmonton Mill Woods, Alberta) – Treasury Board
- Karen Vecchio (Elgin—Middlesex—London, Ontario) – Women and Gender Equality
- Gary Vidal (Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, Saskatchewan) – Indigenous Services
- John Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest, New Brunswick) – Labour
- Hon. Alice Wong (Richmond Centre, British Columbia) – Seniors
- Bob Zimmer (Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, British Columbia) – Northern Affairs and Northern Economic Development Agency
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Andrew Scheer Announces Conservative House of Commons Leadership Team
The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, today announced the appointment of a strong, diverse team to lead the Conservative Caucus in the 43rd Parliament.
“I am incredibly proud to work with these experienced and dedicated Conservative Members of Parliament,” said Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer. “This is the team which is going to help us hold Justin Trudeau to account every single day.”
The appointments include:
- Deputy Leader: Leona Alleslev (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, Ontario)
- Quebec Political Lieutenant: Alain Rayes (Richmond—Arthabaska, Quebec)
- House Leader of the Official Opposition: Candice Bergen (Portage—Lisgar, Manitoba)
- Chief Opposition Whip: Mark Strahl (Chilliwack—Hope, British Columbia)
- Deputy House Leader of the Official Opposition: John Nater (Perth—Wellington, Ontario)
- Deputy Opposition Whip: John Brassard (Barrie—Innisfil, Ontario)
- Caucus-Party Liaison: Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk, Ontario)
- Conservative National Caucus Chair: Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard, Alberta)
- Caucus-OLO Coordinator: Chris Warkentin (Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, Alberta)
“Our strengthened party will use every tool available to us to correct the mistakes of this government,” added Scheer. “And we will stand ready to make the case to the people that only a Conservative government can keep this country united and deliver the change so many Canadians are looking for.”
Mr. Scheer will be announcing his Shadow Cabinet later this week.
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Same Faces, Same Failures in Trudeau’s New Cabinet: Scheer
The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on Justin Trudeau’s new cabinet:
“On Oct. 21, Justin Trudeau lost seats in every region of the country and lost nearly one million votes from the 2015 election. Canadians sent him a clear message that they want a new approach.
“Naming a new cabinet was an opportunity for Trudeau to change course and abandon his reckless approach of dividing the country with failed policies.
“Instead he has doubled down on the same faces and the same failures.
“The cabinet he unveiled today is a bigger and more bloated version of the same one that helped create an affordability crisis for Canadian families, attacked our energy sector and put thousands of Canadians out of work, and set the stage for a national unity crisis.
“Justin Trudeau has made it clear that he has learned nothing over the last four years. By appointing a known anti-pipeline activist and ministers who stood behind him while he passed job-killing, anti-energy legislation like Bills C-69 and C-48, Trudeau will only further stoke the divisions he created during the election campaign.
“Today, Trudeau wasted an opportunity to begin a new approach. Instead, he’s doubling down on the same failures of the last four years. Conservatives will continue to fight to keep Canada united and strong, to help Canadians get ahead, to restore ethics and accountability to government and to get our forestry and energy sectors back to work.” -
Andrew Scheer Statement on CN Rail Strike
The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued a statement on the CN Rail Strike:
“The CN strike is hurting all aspects of our economy, from agriculture, to manufacturing, to mining. That is why Justin Trudeau must recall Parliament as soon as possible to enact emergency legislation to get the rail cars moving again.
“In the West, the CN strike poses a devastating threat to an economy in crisis. Already reeling from delayed pipeline projects, a rail strike means even less Western Canadian oil that can reach markets. And after an especially challenging harvest season, Western Canadian farmers would be further squeezed if the strike is allowed to continue.
“Not only does this strike threaten key sectors of the Western Canadian economy, but Canadian jobs across the country. We could see terrible jobs losses in the mining sector in Quebec, the forestry sector in British Columbia, and the automotive sector in Ontario.
“Recalling Parliament and tabling emergency legislation would show both sides of this dispute that the government is serious about ending the strike. That could result in an agreement being reached much sooner.
“Once again, I urge Justin Trudeau to convene Parliament immediately to get CN back on the job and to avoid the pain and economic calamity an ongoing strike would cause for Canada.” -
Raquel Dancho - Meet our new MPs
We have a number of new MPs heading to the House of Commons - some for the very first time.
We'll be profiling these new MPs over the next couple of weeks, watch below!
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Scheer blasts Blanchet, Trudeau for divisive attacks on western Canada
The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, issued a statement on Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet’s comments yesterday following his meeting with Justin Trudeau:
“Mr. Blanchet’s comments yesterday toward western Canada were both insulting and completely disingenuous.
“Insulting because he accused westerners of faking a unity crisis when the frustration and anxiety out west is all too real. Disingenuous because he refuses to acknowledge how much his province has benefitted from the west’s economic success. His hypocrisy and double-standard are astounding.
“However, it is not surprising that the Leader of the Bloc Quebecois would display this attitude.
“The real problem is that Justin Trudeau has been sowing the seeds for divisive rhetoric like Mr. Blanchet’s for years. Trudeau has demonized energy workers, put hundreds of thousands of them out of work, and travels the world with a message that he wants to phase out Canada’s energy sector.
“While Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Blanchet keep dividing the country, Conservatives believe the energy sector has the power to unite Canadians. That’s why we ran on creating a National Energy Corridor that would get the energy sector back to work and allow every part of the country to take part in its success.
“Only Conservatives can keep Canada united and strong.” -
Scheer lays out Conservative priorities for throne speech in meeting with Trudeau
During a meeting with Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer outlined his priorities for the upcoming speech from the throne.
Last week, Scheer called on Trudeau to immediately recall Parliament to deal with four pressing policy areas – keeping Canada strong and united, helping Canadians get ahead, restoring ethics and integrity in government, and getting the energy sector back to work.
In his meeting with Trudeau, Scheer laid out seven measures Conservatives want to see in Trudeau’s throne speech:
Keep Canada united and strong by launching a task force to study the establishment of a national energy corridor, which could bring Ontario and Quebec hydroelectricity to new markets, open up opportunities for Western Canadian oil and gas, and connect rural communities in Atlantic Canada and the North.
Help Canadians get ahead by offering broad-based tax relief, providing a date for balancing the budget, and proceeding with fair tax-free maternity benefits.
Restore ethics and accountability to government by introducing stronger penalties in the Conflict of Interest Act.
Get the energy sector back to work by tabling a detailed plan, with concrete deadlines, to build the Trans Mountain expansion and repealing Bills C-48 and C-69.
Take real action on the environment by drawing on policies from our Real Plan to Protect the Environment, such as the Green Patent Credit, the Canadian Clean brand, the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, and ending raw sewage dumps.
Immediately fund regional transit expansion in the GTA, starting with the Ontario Line and Yonge Extension.
Reduce the paperwork burden on Quebecers by adopting a single tax return.
“In our meeting, I told Mr. Trudeau that Canada is as divided as it ever has been,” Scheer said. “The steps I outlined in my meeting with him are reasonable, achievable, and would begin to heal the divisions Trudeau sowed during the election campaign.”
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The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives, issues statement on Remembrance Day
The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and of the Official Opposition, today released the following statement on Remembrance Day:
To every Veteran across Canada, on this Remembrance Day, I want to say thank you.
Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and for everything you have given in the service of our country.
Your bravery is why Canadians from coast to coast enjoy the freedoms that we do today. Your courage is why so many from around the world continue to seek out Canada to realize its promise of peace and freedom.
No matter where you have served – in World War II or the Korean War, in Afghanistan, or in conflict zones around the world – you deserve our unconditional and heartfelt gratitude. Not just on Remembrance Day – but every day.
On behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, we will never forget those we have lost. We will always honour their memory, and we will always cherish the heroes who put their lives on the line for us.