Andrew Scheer announced his resignation as Conservative Party of Canada leader in the House of Commons Thursday afternoon, shortly after informing his party’s national caucus of his intention.
The resignation comes on the heels of a report by former Conservative cabinet minister John Baird about the Conservative campaign’s shortcomings in the 2019 election.
However, according to an initial Global News report, Scheer was said to be facing allegations that Conservative party funds were going towards his children’s private school tuition. However, an official statement from the party’s Executive Director, Dustin van Vugt, states that Scheer was offered a reimbursement for moving and schooling costs.
“Shortly after Mr. Scheer was elected leader, we had a meeting where I made a standard offer to cover costs associated with moving his family from Regina to Ottawa. This includes a differential in schooling costs between Regina and Ottawa. All proper procedures were followed and signed off on by the appropriate people,” wrote van Vugt.
Scheer has called on the Conservatives to “immediately” prepare to launch a leadership race.
“I just informed my colleagues in the Conservative caucus that I will be resigning as the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, and I will be asking the Conservative Party national council to immediately begin the process of organizing a leadership contest,” said Scheer in the House of Commons.
“In order to chart the course ahead in the direction this party is heading, the party needs someone who can give 100 per cent.”
