The leader of Canada’s conservative party, Andrew Scheer, found himself on the defensive twice Thursday, when he said he is “pro-life” — and when he revealed he is a dual American citizen.
In 2005 Andrew Scheer raised concerns about the dual-citizenship of former governor-general Michaëlle Jean before she gave up her French citizenship to assume Canada’s highest post. #cdnpoli #elxn43 https://t.co/lYuLXeAIIH
— Marieke Walsh (@MariekeWalsh) October 3, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s main rival in the upcoming elections, who is a devout Catholic and married with five children, has said since the start of the campaign that if elected he would shoot down any attempts to legislate a ban on abortion.
Canada legalized abortions in 1969 but they only became widely available after the Supreme Court in 1988 struck down all restrictions.
But Scheer equivocated when pressed publicly for his personal views on the issue, including when it repeatedly came up in a debate with Trudeau and other party leaders Wednesday evening. “Personally, I’m pro-life,” he finally told reporters at a campaign stop in eastern Canada after weeks of ducking questions on abortion.
Andrew Scheer – I'm 100% PRO-LIFE – that said he CANNOT come up with a single policy from his platform that supports women's rights#elxn43 #cdnpoli #itsourvote #IStandWithTrudeau pic.twitter.com/ZUG9BgTP5h
— G.T. Lem 林 家 聰 (@gtlem) October 3, 2019
On Wednesday in response to pointed questions from Trudeau — who has cast himself as a champion of women’s rights — Scheer kept falling back on a rehearsed line: “I won’t reopen this divisive debate.”
Read more: Afghan talent show singer finds fame as Justin Trudeau’s double
Pundits said Scheer’s stubborn refusal to give a clear answer was hampering his campaign. “Hard night for Scheer,” shouted a headline in the Journal de Montreal.
Never tried to hide
And Thursday afternoon, Scheer confirmed a Globe and Mail report that revealed he has dual Canadian and American citizenship through his father who was born in the US. A Conservative spokesman confirmed that Scheer has recently begun the process to renounce his US citizenship.
Asked why he had never brought it up before, Scheer simply responded that no one had ever asked him. “I’ve never tried to hide that,” he said during a press conference.
Pundits said Scheer’s stubborn refusal to give a clear answer was hampering his campaign. “Hard night for Scheer,” shouted a headline in the Journal de Montreal.
“I’ve never been asked about it by Canadians. My father has always been open about where he comes from. I haven’t been asked about it.” Radio Canada pointed out that Conservatives have attacked leaders of the New Democratic Party and Liberal Party because of their dual citizenship.
And Scheer himself in 2005 criticized the dual French-Canadian citizenship of Canada’s former governor general Michaelle Jean, according to media reports. Liberal party spokesperson Zita Astravas said Scheer has been “fundamentally dishonest with Canadians about who he is.”
Read more: Hareem Farooq meets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Scheer has repeatedly accused Trudeau of lying to Canadian voters, particularly after the publication of photos showing the Liberal party leader in blackface between 1990 and 2001.
The Liberals and Conservatives are neck and neck in the race to the October 21 ballot. But it is largely attributable to the Liberals losing support to leftist parties, while Tory support has remained stagnant.
Canada legalized abortions in 1969 but they only became widely available after the Supreme Court in 1988 struck down all restrictions.
AFP with additional input by GVS News Desk.