Thursday, July 2, 2026
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

Trudeau Appoints Jacqueline O’Neill As Canada’s First Ambassador For Women, Peace And Security

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Canada's first ambassador for women, peace and security.

Trudeau Appoints Jacqueline O’Neill As Canada’s First Ambassador For Women, Peace And Security

Free Transit OK'd For Youth Living In Victoria, Starts In September

The Victoria Regional Transit Commission unanimously approved a plan by the municipality to provide free bus passes to students who live in the city and are 18 years old or under.

Free Transit OK'd For Youth Living In Victoria, Starts In September

Man Who Praised Quebec Mosque Shooter In Online Videos Gets 30 Days In Jail

LAVAL, Que. — A Quebec man who was found guilty last May of inciting hatred against Muslims has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.    

Man Who Praised Quebec Mosque Shooter In Online Videos Gets 30 Days In Jail

Quebec Trying To Speed Up Process To Adopt Secularism Bill Ahead Of Summer Break

Quebec Premier Francois Legault says his government is showing good faith by specifying what kinds of religious symbols it plans to ban for many public sector workers.

Quebec Trying To Speed Up Process To Adopt Secularism Bill Ahead Of Summer Break

Father Tells B.C. Judge That Happy, Loving Girl, 8, Taken For No Reason

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — The father of an eight-year-old girl who was smothered by her mother says a happy, empathetic, sensitive and loving child was taken away from the world for no reason.

Father Tells B.C. Judge That Happy, Loving Girl, 8, Taken For No Reason

Two Canadian Women Abducted In Ghana Rescued, Begin Journey Home

Two young Canadian women who were kidnapped while volunteering in Ghana have begun their journey home after being rescued by authorities in the West African country on Wednesday.

Two Canadian Women Abducted In Ghana Rescued, Begin Journey Home