Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer has announced his resignation on Thursday morning.
In a caucus meeting, Scheer announced that he will be stepping down as leader of the party but will remain in the position until a replacement is chosen.
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He will also continue to serve as MP for Regina—Qu’Appelle.
Conservative Party sources told Global News this this announcement was made as a result of allegations that Scheer was using party funds to finance his childrens’ private education.
According to the Global News report, these expenditures were made without approval of the Conservative fund board.
In his announcement, Scheer states that his resignation was “one of the most difficult decisions [he has] ever made,” and that he has asked the Conservative Party national council to immediately begin the process of organizing a leadership election.
He cites the fast pace of his role as leader of the party and the challenges it has created for his family, calling his wife, Jill, “heroic”.
“This was not a decision I came to lightly. This was a decision I came to after many long, hard conversations with friends and family over the past two months since the election campaign,” says Scheer.
He goes on to state that he would fully support whoever is chosen as the next leader of the party.
“My only ask to my fellow Conservatives is this: let’s stay united.”
