The trouble with Andrew Scheer
Stephen Harper 2.0? The Conservative Party of Canada's new leader is far more theologically driven than his predecessor – not to mention, now heavily indebted to the party's growing social conservative base
“Harper lite” or "Harper with a Smile”?
Countless columns have described newly minted Conservative Party of Canada leader Andrew Scheer as a kinder, gentler Stephen Harper, a "safe" choice for a party and conservative movement in Canada being pushed further to policy extremes by a growing social conservative base.
Yet, to a large extent the views of the 38-year-old MP for Regina-Qu’Appelle in Saskatchewan are more conservative than Harper's. Scheer has signaled he plans to move the CPC from the relatively moderate positions it often adopted under interim leader Rona Ambrose, who recently announced she is leaving politics.
Harper may have been a committed conservative but he was also a pragmatist; Scheer is far more theologically driven and is now heavily in electoral debt to social conservatives.
While raised in Ottawa, Scheer's politics have been shaped politically in western Canada and, in particular, by the pro-privatization and populist views of Brad Wall, the province's premier.
Scheer’s religious faith is especially significant. He is a traditional Roman Catholic, the son of a deacon. He is an opponent of abortion, equal marriage, trans rights and euthanasia. He voted against Bill C-16, which adds "gender expression or identity" as a protected ground to the Canadian Human Rights Act.
While Scheer has insisted that he will not open up most of these issues for debate, he has also talked on the campaign trail about a "friendlier more welcoming Parliament for individual members to introduce legislation protecting pre-born human rights.” His orthodox interpretation of his faith doesn’t provide very much wiggle room. It’s considered a profound sin, for example, for a Catholic in public life to do nothing when confronted with abortion.
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