Andrew Scheer — Canadian politician and former leader of the Conservative Party

Political career and roles

Scheer entered federal politics as a young MP in the 2004 election and secured re-election in subsequent campaigns. Early in his parliamentary tenure he was chosen by colleagues to serve as Speaker of the House of Commons, becoming the youngest person to occupy that office in the chamber's history. Later he sought and won the leadership of the Conservative Party, becoming Leader of the Official Opposition and setting the party's strategic direction at a national level.

• Member of Parliament: First elected in 2004 for Regina—Qu'Appelle and reelected in subsequent federal elections.
• Speaker of the House: Elected by fellow MPs to preside over the House of Commons, noted for his relative youth at the time of appointment.
• Party leader: Launched a bid for the Conservative leadership in 2016 and won the leadership contest in 2017, serving as party leader and leader of the opposition.
• Post-leadership: Announced his intention to step down as party leader in late 2019 and remained a Member of Parliament.

History and development

Scheer's political path reflects a rapid rise through parliamentary ranks. After establishing himself as a constituency MP, he transitioned to a role that required impartial management of House proceedings as Speaker. That experience distinguished him from many peers and gave him a measure of national recognition. In 2016 he entered the Conservative leadership contest, campaigning on themes aimed at unifying party supporters and broadening its electoral appeal. He was elected leader in 2017 and led the party through the next federal election cycle.

Policy stance and public profile

During his time as a party leader, Scheer emphasized issues commonly associated with conservative politics such as fiscal restraint, economic growth, and government accountability. He sought to position the Conservative Party as a government-in-waiting while responding to a range of domestic policy debates. Public reaction to his leadership was varied: supporters praised his focus on economic management and constituency representation, while critics questioned aspects of his record and presentation on certain social and policy issues.

Notable facts and distinctions

Among the notable milestones in Scheer's career are the age-related distinctions he earned early on—most prominently being the youngest Speaker in the history of the House of Commons at the time of his selection. He also spent many years representing the same Saskatchewan-based riding, building a sustained local political presence. His leadership tenure included steering the Conservative Party through a national election and managing internal party challenges common to major political movements.

Further reading

For official records and biographical detail, see his parliamentary biography and party profiles. Additional contemporary reporting and parliamentary records provide context for his terms as Speaker and as party leader.

Parliamentary biography | Conservative Party profile | Leader's campaign material | Official Opposition records