Andrew Scheer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Andrew Scheer PC MP
Scheer in 2020
Leader of the Opposition
Incumbent
Assumed office May 6, 2025
Deputy	Melissa Lantsman Tim Uppal
Preceded by	Pierre Poilievre
In office May 27, 2017 – August 24, 2020
Deputy	Denis Lebel Lisa Raitt Leona Alleslev
Preceded by	Rona Ambrose
Succeeded by	Erin O'Toole
Parliamentary Leader of the Conservative Party
Incumbent
Assumed office May 6, 2025
Leader	Pierre Poilievre
Preceded by	Pierre Poilievre (as leader)
Opposition House Leader
Incumbent
Assumed office September 13, 2022
Leader	Pierre Poilievre
Preceded by	John Brassard
In office November 18, 2015 – September 13, 2016
Leader	Rona Ambrose
Preceded by	Peter Julian
Succeeded by	Candice Bergen
Member of Parliament for Regina—Qu'Appelle
Incumbent
Assumed office June 28, 2004
Preceded by	Lorne Nystrom
Leader of the Conservative Party
In office May 27, 2017 – August 24, 2020
Deputy	Denis Lebel Lisa Raitt Leona Alleslev
Preceded by	Rona Ambrose (interim)
Succeeded by	Erin O'Toole
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Communities
In office September 8, 2020 – October 12, 2022
Leader	Erin O'Toole Candice Bergen Pierre Poilievre
Shadowing	Catherine McKenna Dominic LeBlanc
Preceded by	Luc Berthold
Succeeded by	Leslyn Lewis
35th Speaker of the House of Commons
In office June 2, 2011 – December 3, 2015
Deputy	Denise Savoie Joe Comartin
Preceded by	Peter Milliken
Succeeded by	Geoff Regan
Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Chair of Committees of the Whole
In office November 21, 2008 – June 1, 2011
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Michaëlle Jean David Johnston
Preceded by	Bill Blaikie
Succeeded by	Denise Savoie
Assistant Deputy Chair of the Committees of the Whole
In office April 5, 2006 – November 20, 2008
Speaker	Peter Milliken
Preceded by	Jean Augustine
Succeeded by	Barry Devolin
Personal details
Born	Andrew James Scheer (1979-05-20) May 20, 1979 (age 46) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Citizenship	Canada United States
Political party	Conservative (2003–present)
Other political affiliations	Reform (1998–2000) Alliance (2000–2003)
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Spouse	Jill Ryan ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	5
Relatives	Jon Ryan (brother-in-law)
Residences	Regina, Saskatchewan Stornoway (2017–2020)
Education	University of Ottawa (BA)
Signature

Andrew James Scheer (born May 20, 1979) is a Canadian politician. He has been the Leader of the Opposition since May 2025. He also held this role from 2017 to 2020 as the leader of the Conservative Party. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Regina—Qu'Appelle since 2004. From 2011 to 2015, he served as the 35th Speaker of the House of Commons.

Andrew Scheer earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. He studied criminology, political science, and history. He was first elected as an MP for Regina—Qu'Appelle when he was 25. He was re-elected in 2006, 2008, and 2011. At 32, he became the youngest Speaker in the history of the House of Commons. He was Speaker for the entire 41st Canadian Parliament.

After the Conservative Party lost the 2015 election, Scheer ran for the leadership of the party. His campaign slogan was "Real conservative. Real leader." On May 27, 2017, he won the leadership election. He narrowly defeated former cabinet minister Maxime Bernier.

Scheer has said he focuses on growing the economy and being careful with government spending. He is against the federal carbon tax. He also supports building more pipelines. In the 2019 federal election, the Conservatives under Scheer won the most votes overall. They also gained 26 seats. However, they remained the Official Opposition. On December 12, 2019, Scheer announced he would step down as party leader. He was replaced by Erin O'Toole on August 24, 2020.

Scheer became Leader of the Opposition again on May 6, 2025. This happened after Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in the 2025 Canadian federal election. The Leader of the Opposition must be a sitting MP. Scheer is expected to step down if Poilievre wins a special election in Battle River—Crowfoot.

Early Life and Education

Andrew Scheer was born on May 20, 1979, in Ottawa, Ontario. He grew up in Ottawa. His mother, Mary, was a nurse. His father, James, was a librarian and a Catholic deacon. James was born in the United States. This meant Andrew was also a U.S. citizen when he was born, even though he was born in Canada. Scheer has two sisters. Part of his family is from Romania. He spent summers with his grandparents in Mississauga. He graduated from Immaculata High School.

University Studies

In 1998, Scheer began studying at the University of Ottawa. He studied criminology, political science, and history. He earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 2008. This was four years after he was first elected to Parliament.

During his university years, Scheer worked on several political campaigns. He helped with the "Unite the Right" effort. This campaign aimed to combine the Progressive Conservative and Reform parties. He also worked for Stockwell Day, who was the Leader of the Opposition at the time. Scheer also served on a youth advisory committee for Ottawa city councillor Karin Howard.

In his third year of university, Scheer ran for school trustee. He wanted to be on the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board. However, he lost the election. After meeting his future wife, Jill Ryan, at the University of Ottawa, Scheer moved to Regina, Saskatchewan. He continued his studies at the University of Regina to complete his degree.

Before Becoming an MP

In Regina, Scheer worked in different jobs. He was an insurance clerk, a waiter, and an assistant. He worked in the office of Canadian Alliance MP Larry Spencer. In 2005, Scheer's blog mentioned he was an accredited insurance broker. His MP website in 2007 stated he passed the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker program. It also said he started his insurance career at Shenher Insurance in Regina.

During the 2019 federal election, Scheer's biography on the Conservative Party website said he had worked as an insurance broker. However, a newspaper called The Globe and Mail looked into this. They found no proof that he was ever officially accredited as an insurance broker. Scheer responded by saying he received accreditation for general insurance after leaving Shenher Insurance. As of September 2019, the Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan were reviewing the matter.

Political Career

First Years in Parliament

Scheer was elected as a Conservative MP in 2004. He was 25 years old. He won the election in the area of Regina—Qu'Appelle. He defeated New Democratic Party (NDP) MP Lorne Nystrom. Scheer was re-elected in 2006, again defeating Nystrom.

In April 2006, Scheer became an assistant deputy chairman of Committees of the Whole. This is one of three deputy speaker roles. He also supported a bill to create minimum sentences for car theft.

On November 21, 2008, he became the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. He also became the chairman of Committees of the Whole. He took over from NDP MP Bill Blaikie.

Speaker of the House of Commons

The Conservative Party won a majority in the 2011 federal election. Because of his experience as Deputy Speaker, many thought Scheer would become the next Speaker. On June 2, 2011, Scheer won the election for Speaker. He became the youngest House Speaker in Canadian history.

During his time as Speaker, some opposition MPs criticized his decisions. However, he served as Speaker for the entire 41st Canadian Parliament.

After 2015 Election

Scheer was re-elected in the 2015 Canadian federal election. The Conservative government was defeated in that election. He was then named Opposition House Leader by the interim Conservative leader, Rona Ambrose.

On September 13, 2016, he announced he was stepping down as House Leader. He wanted to explore running for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

In 2016, Scheer supported the UK's decision to leave the European Union (Brexit). He later tweeted that he was "pro-Brexit before it was cool."

2017 Leadership Election

Leadership campaign logo

On September 28, 2016, Scheer announced he would run for the leadership of the Conservative Party. He said he had the support of 32 Conservative MPs. On May 27, 2017, Scheer was elected as the second leader of the Conservative Party. He won with 50.95 percent of the vote after 13 rounds. He beat Maxime Bernier and more than 12 other candidates.

Scheer's campaign focused on being a "Real conservative. Real leader." He avoided talking about social issues. He said he wanted to appeal to more Canadians. He strongly supported getting rid of the carbon tax and being "tough on crime." People have compared Scheer to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. They called him "Harper with a smile." Scheer is critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's policies.

Scheer with his leadership team (Mark Strahl, Alain Rayes, Lisa Raitt, Chris Warkentin, and Candice Bergen) shortly after his leadership victory

During the leadership race, Scheer said he would balance the federal budget within two years if he formed a government.

Leader of the Conservative Party

Scheer being sworn into the Queen's Privy Council for Canada at Rideau Hall

After a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, Scheer spoke out against Rebel News. He said he would stop giving interviews to them because of their coverage of the rally.

Scheer and US Ambassador to Canada, Kelly Craft, January 2018

On January 4, 2018, Scheer removed Senator Lynn Beyak from the Conservative group of MPs. This happened after she refused to remove letters that suggested Indigenous people wanted things for "no effort." Scheer stated that "Racism will not be tolerated in the Conservative caucus or Conservative Party of Canada."

Scheer meeting British Prime Minister Theresa May in London, March 2018

In March 2018, Scheer traveled to the United Kingdom. He met with Prime Minister Theresa May and other UK ministers. His goal was to prepare for a trade agreement between Canada and the UK if he became prime minister.

2019 Federal Election

In the 2019 election, Scheer led the Conservatives to win 26 more seats, for a total of 121. However, they finished 36 seats behind the Liberals. The Conservatives won 34.4 percent of the popular vote, while the Liberals won 33.1 percent. This was the first time since 1979 that a party won the most seats without winning the popular vote.

Much of the Conservative support came from Alberta and Saskatchewan. They won 70 percent and 65 percent of the popular vote there. However, they won only five seats in the suburbs of Toronto and no seats in Toronto itself. This was partly because the provincial Conservative government in Ontario was not popular.

On December 12, 2019, Scheer announced he would resign as leader of the Conservatives. He stayed on until a new leader was chosen. The Conservative Party confirmed that it had been helping pay for Scheer's children's private school tuition. They said this was not why Scheer resigned.

After Leadership

On September 8, 2020, Scheer became the Opposition Critic for Infrastructure & Communities. This was part of his successor Erin O'Toole's shadow cabinet. In this role, he supported a bill to stop raw sewage from being put into water where fish live.

On February 2, 2022, Scheer was seen with other MPs at the Freedom Convoy 2022 protest. The mayor of Ottawa asked for an apology, saying the protesters' actions were not welcome.

He supported Pierre Poilievre's campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party in 2022. On September 13, 2022, Poilievre appointed Scheer to be Opposition House Leader.

On May 6, 2025, Scheer became Leader of the Opposition for the second time. This happened after Poilievre lost his seat in the 2025 election. The Leader of the Opposition must be an MP. Scheer is expected to give up the role if Poilievre wins a special election to return to Parliament.

Political Views

Economy

Scheer has suggested a tax cut for people with the lowest incomes. This tax bracket would be reduced from 15 percent to 13.75 percent over four years. The Conservatives said this would save an average person $444 a year. A couple with two incomes could save $850 per year.

Scheer has promised to bring back the Children's Fitness Tax Credit. Families could claim $1,000 each year for fitness or sports costs. Families with children with disabilities could claim $1,500. Scheer also said he would cancel Canada's $250 million yearly payment to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Scheer supports free markets. He believes businesses should succeed by having the best products or services.

He strongly supported removing the Canadian Wheat Board. Scheer also proposed putting Canadian flag stickers on gas pumps. This would show that the oil is "Canadian-sourced, ethically produced."

Scheer has promised to get rid of the federal carbon tax. He believes this will lower taxes for people and businesses.

Scheer talking about maternity benefits

Scheer wants to make maternity and parental leave less expensive for families. He has promised to make employment insurance for these benefits tax-free. He also wants to introduce a tax credit for families who send their children to private schools. Scheer proposes raising the limit on how much a parent can earn each week while on leave. He has also promised to remove HST/GST from home heating bills and lower business taxes.

In February 2018, Scheer introduced a bill called the Supporting New Parents Act. This bill would create a new tax credit. It would help offset federal taxes on maternity and parental leave benefits.

During the 2019 federal election, Scheer proposed that foreign government-owned companies buying Canadian businesses should be reviewed for national security.

Education

Scheer promised to increase the government's contribution to the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). He would increase it from 20 percent to 30 percent annually, up to $2,500. He added that low-income families would get 50 percent on the first $500 invested. He also promised to bring back the Children's Arts and Learning Tax Credit. Families could claim $500 per child for arts or education programs. Families with children with disabilities could claim $1,000 per child.

Environment

Scheer is against a federal carbon tax. He has said that if he forms a government, he will remove any plans for a carbon tax by the Trudeau government.

Scheer presenting his proposed Green Public Transit Tax Credit in Mississauga, September 2019

Scheer has proposed bringing back the public transit tax credit. This is part of his environment plan. The Green Public Transit Tax Credit would give transit users a 15 percent tax credit on their fare pass costs. Scheer has also promised a Green Home Tax Credit. Homeowners could claim a 20 percent tax credit for spending between $1,000 and $20,000 on energy-efficient home renovations. The Conservative climate plan also includes a $250 million investment. This money would go into a "green technology and innovation fund." It would help green tech companies get funding.

In October 2016, Scheer voted against the Paris Agreement. However, he voted to confirm Canada's support for the agreement in June 2017.

Scheer has said he does not support a "war on cars." He supported building a tunnel between Quebec City and Levis.

Firearms

Scheer promised that a Conservative government would check an individual's background for their entire life. The current system checks only five years. He is against a long-gun registry. He also opposes a proposed ban on handgun ownership. He has promised to remove new rules in the Liberal government's Bill C-71. Scheer has proposed that laws should classify firearms. This would take the authority away from the cabinet or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Foreign Policy

China

Scheer has said he would not pursue a free trade agreement with China if he were prime minister. He would also ban Huawei from Canada's 5G network. He has criticized the Liberals for not quickly approving the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Israel

Scheer with a banner about the Conservatives' position on the status of Jerusalem, during a march in Toronto, May 2018

In December 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Scheer did not take a public position at that time. However, on February 26, 2018, Scheer stated that a Conservative government would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

In May 2018, Scheer tweeted that he was "praying for the safety of the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces and all Israelis." This was during missile attacks.

Saudi Arabia

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government was looking into stopping shipments of Canadian-built vehicles to Saudi Arabia. This was in protest of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Scheer said he was against this move. The arms sale to Saudi Arabia was arranged by the previous Conservative government. Scheer has stated that Canada should ban oil imports from Saudi Arabia. He cited human rights and environmental concerns.

Ukraine

Scheer at a Ukraine Independence Day festival in Toronto, holding up a t-shirt that reads "Crimea is Ukraine"

Scheer was one of thirteen Canadians banned from traveling to Russia in March 2014. This was part of sanctions imposed by President Vladimir Putin. Scheer supported sending peacekeepers to the Russian-Ukrainian border. He believes that protecting Ukraine's independence should be a priority for Canada.

Immigration

Scheer wants to help the most vulnerable refugees first. He mentioned religious minorities, like Christians in the Middle East. He prefers to help refugees through private sponsorship rather than government sponsorship. He believes refugees struggle to find housing and jobs because of the Liberal Party's approach.

In 2018, Scheer opposed the Global Compact for Migration.

Quebec

Scheer attending Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day festivities in Pont-Rouge, Quebec

On February 8, 2018, Scheer supported opening the constitution. This was to support then-premier Philippe Couillard's ideas for Quebec. These ideas included recognizing Quebec as a distinct society. In May 2018, Scheer promised to support Quebec nationalism. He also wanted to give Quebec more control over immigration and culture.

In August 2018, Scheer defended a woman linked to anti-immigration groups. This happened after Justin Trudeau criticized her questions.

Senate

Scheer is against a non-partisan Senate. He has suggested he would appoint people to the Senate who share his goals. These goals include lowering taxes and growing the private sector. He said they would be "Conservative senators who would implement the conservative vision for Canada."

On September 16, 2017, Scheer criticized Senator Lynn Beyak for comments about Indigenous people. Beyak was later removed from the Conservative group of MPs on January 4, 2018. .....

Social Issues

..... Scheer said he would not reopen the issue if he were prime minister. In 2008, he was disappointed when Henry Morgentaler received the Order of Canada. In 2018, Scheer accused the Liberal government of "imposing" the prime minister's views on women's rights. This was regarding funding for summer jobs programs for faith groups.

..... This bill allows doctors to help mentally capable adults end their lives if they have "enduring and intolerable suffering" and death is "reasonably foreseeable."

Scheer criticized Justin Trudeau for supporting comments made by Governor General Julie Payette. Payette questioned people who support creationism. Scheer said millions were "offended" by her comments.

Scheer has promised that universities or colleges that do not support "free speech and inquiry" will not receive federal funding. However, he later clarified that universities have the right to decide which outside groups they allow on campus.

During the 2004 election, Scheer opposed same-sex marriage. As an MP, he spoke against recognizing same-sex marriage. He voted to reopen the debate on the issue in 2006. Scheer has stated that as leader of the Conservative group, he would not try to reopen the debate on same-sex marriage. In 2016, Scheer supported removing the "traditional definition of marriage" from the Conservative party policy book.

In 2005, Scheer defended Bishop Fred Henry's statements against same-sex marriage. He said it was wrong to think a Catholic bishop must answer to a civil authority on matters of faith.

National Anthem Changes

Scheer voted against Bill C-210. This bill changed the words of the national anthem to be gender-neutral. He said he was disappointed the bill passed in 2016. He stated he would sing the old version until the law was officially approved.

Gender Equality

Scheer describes himself as a feminist. He supports having a diverse senior team. He believes in "the fundamental equality between men and women."

On January 31, 2018, Scheer was asked if he had ever acted inappropriately. He replied "No." He added that a friend once told him "nothing good happens in Ottawa after 8:00pm," and he tried to live by that rule.

Omar Khadr Repatriation

Scheer has publicly criticized the Liberal government's decision to settle a lawsuit with Omar Khadr. The settlement was reported to be $10.5 million. Scheer argued that Khadr's compensation should have been limited to his right to return to Canada.

Transparency

The Globe and Mail reported that Scheer was not sharing details of his private fundraising events. Scheer had previously criticized Justin Trudeau for hosting similar events.

On October 31, 2017, it was reported that Scheer had three real estate limited partnerships (RELPs). These are investments that can reduce a person's tax burden. Scheer had invested $75,000 in these RELPs. His holdings were previously shared with the ethics commissioner.

Personal Life

Scheer and his family in September 2018

Andrew Scheer married Jill Ryan in Regina in 2003. They have five children. Scheer is a practicing Catholic. He attends Sunday mass and is an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His children attend a private faith-based school. Scheer's French is good, but he is not completely fluent.

Scheer enjoys hunting and owns firearms. He is a fan of gridiron football. He supports the Seattle Seahawks and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. His brother-in-law, Jon Ryan, is a professional football player. Another of his wife's brothers, Steve Ryan, ran for the Saskatchewan NDP in provincial elections.

When he was Speaker of the House of Commons from 2011 to 2015, he lived at the official residence called the Farm. When he was Leader of the Opposition, he lived in Stornoway.

Dual Citizenship

Scheer is a dual citizen. He holds both Canadian and U.S. citizenship. He got his U.S. citizenship through his American-born father. Scheer confirmed that he has filed U.S. tax returns. His party also confirmed he is registered for the U.S. Selective Service System. This is a list of people who could be called to serve in the U.S. military in an emergency. Scheer said he was not hiding this information. He stated that he had never been asked about his dual citizenship before it was revealed during the 2019 federal election campaign. During the campaign, he said he was giving up his American citizenship. However, in May 2020, he announced he no longer planned to do so, as he would not be prime minister.

Honours

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Canada	Andrew Scheer received this medal on February 6, 2012.

• He became a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on September 25, 2017. This happened when he was appointed Leader of the Official Opposition. This gave him the honorific title "The Honourable" and the post-nominal letters "PC" for life.

Electoral Record

Federal Elections

Municipal Election

See also

In Spanish: Andrew Scheer para niños