Sunday, April 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Andrew Scheer not voting in U.S. election

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Oct, 2020 10:17 PM
  • Andrew Scheer not voting in U.S. election

Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, whose dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship became an issue in last year's federal election, won't be casting a ballot in the upcoming American vote.

Scheer had been in the process of renouncing his U.S. citizenship ahead of the 2019 fall campaign.

But he ended that process after his party failed to form government and he subsequently stepped down as leader.

In the 2016 presidential election, there were approximately 620,000 Americans in Canada who were eligible to cast ballots, though only around 32,000 did.

Scheer was not one of them then either; he said last year he has never voted in U.S. elections.

A spokesperson was asked Wednesday whether he intends to vote this time and the answer was no.

Scheer received American citizenship through his father, a fact that did not become broadly known until last fall's federal election because, he said at the time, no one asked him.

The issue dogged him during the campaign in part because he had previously spoken out against high office holders hanging onto dual citizenships, without disclosing he was among them.

Though he won the leadership of the Conservative party in 2017, he didn't begin to take steps to renounce his American citizenship until just before the 2019 general election.

The decision to renounce was linked to the fact that he had a shot at becoming prime minister, he said at the time.

But the Conservatives failed to defeat the Liberals and Scheer announced in December he was stepping down as party leader, pending the selection of his replacement.

"Given the fact that I won't be prime minister, I discontinued the process," he said in May.

Current Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is not a citizen of any other country, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

MORE National ARTICLES

No fiscal anchor until after pandemic, PM says

No fiscal anchor until after pandemic, PM says
Speaking to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce today, the prime minister says it would be premature to lock in a spending anchor while the country is still dealing with the pandemic.

No fiscal anchor until after pandemic, PM says

Man dies as police try to stop vehicle in B.C.

Man dies as police try to stop vehicle in B.C.
It crashed into a shallow ditch minutes later, killing the driver and injuring the female passenger.

Man dies as police try to stop vehicle in B.C.

Pregnant woman assaulted in Vancouver

Pregnant woman assaulted in Vancouver
He allegedly responded by throwing rocks at her stomach. The woman, who is eight months pregnant, called police.

Pregnant woman assaulted in Vancouver

Man pleads guilty to attempted murder in the Downtown Eastside

Man pleads guilty to attempted murder in the Downtown Eastside
The shooting occurred on September 22, 2019 near East Hastings and Abbott streets. Joseph Bassett, 30, has pled guilty to two counts of attempted murder.

Man pleads guilty to attempted murder in the Downtown Eastside

Vancouver Police investigate Mt. Pleasant neighborhood arson

Vancouver Police investigate Mt. Pleasant neighborhood arson
The fire started just after 10 a.m. and engulfed six businesses in the block. It resulted in severe structural damage to multiple buildings.

Vancouver Police investigate Mt. Pleasant neighborhood arson

Bellegarde wants Brenda Lucki out as head of RCMP

Bellegarde wants Brenda Lucki out as head of RCMP
He says he's asking Trudeau to replace Lucki with "someone who will focus their attention on public safety and combating racism."

Bellegarde wants Brenda Lucki out as head of RCMP