Andrew Scheer

Andrew Scheer – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Andrew Scheer (born May 20, 1979) is a Canadian politician who served as leader of the Canada’s Conservative Party and as Speaker of the House of Commons. This full biography traces his early life, political path, influence, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Andrew James Scheer is a prominent figure in Canadian politics. He became a Member of Parliament at a young age, later became the youngest-ever Speaker of the House of Commons, and led the Conservative Party through the 2019 federal election. Known for combining social conservatism with fiscal restraint and a respect for parliamentary tradition, Scheer has remained an influential voice in Canada’s political landscape.

Early Life and Family

Andrew Scheer was born on May 20, 1979 in Ottawa, Ontario. His parents are Mary Gerarda Therese (née Enright), a nurse, and James (Jim) Scheer, a librarian, proofreader at the Ottawa Citizen, and a Catholic deacon. He has two sisters, Catherine and Anne Marie.

Although born in Canada, Scheer also held U.S. citizenship via his American-born father, which later became a point of public discussion during his leadership.

Scheer grew up in Ottawa. He attended Immaculata High School, and later took undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, majoring in criminology, political science, and history. During his university years, he was active in politics, including on youth wings and campaigns.

He met his future wife, Jill Ryan, while studying in Ottawa. In 2003 they married in Regina, Saskatchewan, and together they have five children.

At some point after entering politics, Scheer relocated to Regina, Saskatchewan, where he built his political base and now resides with his family.

Political Career & Achievements

Early Entry into Parliament

Scheer was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2004, at age 25, representing the riding of Regina—Qu’Appelle in Saskatchewan. He unseated longtime New Democratic Party incumbent Lorne Nystrom by a narrow margin.

He was re-elected in successive elections (2006, 2008, 2011) and built his parliamentary experience through committee work and increasingly prominent roles.

Speaker of the House (2011–2015)

In 2011, after the Conservative Party won a majority, Scheer was elected Speaker of the House of Commons, becoming the youngest person ever to hold that role (at age 32). As Speaker, he presided over debates, managed procedural rules, and attempted to maintain impartiality among MPs of all parties.

His tenure as Speaker lasted until 2015.

Leadership of the Conservative Party (2017–2020)

After the Conservative Party’s defeat in 2015, Scheer was appointed House Leader for the opposition. In 2016, he announced his candidacy for party leadership.

On May 27, 2017, Scheer was elected Leader of the Conservative Party in a tightly contested race, defeating Maxime Bernier. As leader, he also served as Leader of the Official Opposition until 2020.

During his leadership, he pitched a platform emphasizing fiscal discipline, opposition to a federal carbon tax, increased energy development, and a skepticism of government overreach.

In the 2019 federal election, under Scheer’s leadership, the Conservatives won the popular vote plurality but fell short in seats, remaining the Official Opposition.

On December 12, 2019, amid internal criticism over electoral performance and some controversies, Scheer announced his resignation as party leader, though he stayed on until a replacement was chosen.

Later Roles & Return to Opposition Leadership (2025)

After stepping down as leader, Scheer continued as a backbench MP and took on roles such as Opposition critic for Infrastructure & Communities under Erin O’Toole.

In 2025, following the federal election in which Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre temporarily lost his seat, Scheer again assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition until Poilievre regained a seat via a by-election.

Political Positions & Style

• Fiscal conservatism: Scheer emphasizes balanced budgets, lower deficits, and limiting government spending.

• Energy & environment: He opposes a nationwide carbon tax, instead advocating policies that encourage emissions reductions through incentives rather than taxation.

• Socially conservative leanings: Scheer has made statements supportive of religious institutions’ autonomy and has expressed reservations about some liberal social policies.

• Parliamentary respect & procedural grounding: His background as Speaker underscores his commitment to rules, decorum, and the institutional integrity of Parliament.

• Nation-building & unity: During his leadership campaign, he positioned himself as a moderate conservative capable of uniting diverse wings of the party.

His style is often described as deliberate, mild-mannered, and grounded in parliamentary tradition.

Famous Quotes

Here are a few notable statements by Andrew Scheer:

• “I think there’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance.”

• “I want to be very honest with members about what I can offer, and I don’t want to run in a leadership campaign promising things that I know are unachievable.”

• “The fact that the Liberals killed Energy East – a pipeline that would have brought Western Canadian energy to the Maritimes – that is a lost opportunity.”

• “To think that a Catholic bishop must answer to a civil authority over matters of faith is abominable. It is abhorrent to me, to other Catholics, and to every member of every faith community.”

• “Caucus unity always needs to be foremost in the mind of the leader. During a leadership campaign, it’s kind of natural that groupings develop, and now I have to make sure that all melts away.”

• “Let’s make sure that when companies make investments to reduce emissions that they’re rewarded for that and encouraged to do more.”

These quotes touch on leadership philosophy, policy priorities, and his balance between conviction and pragmatism.

Legacy & Influence

Scheer’s political career is notable for several reasons:

• He became part of the younger generation of Canadian federal politicians, entering Parliament in his mid-20s and rising quickly.

• His election as Speaker at 32 made him the youngest in Canadian history to serve in that role, showcasing respect across parties for his parliamentary competence.

• As party leader, he led the Conservatives to their highest popular vote total in decades, though without securing a governing mandate.

• His ability to step back into leadership in 2025—even temporarily—demonstrates the enduring respect and standing he retains within his party.

• More broadly, his trajectory reflects the tensions and balancing act of modern conservatism in Canada: reconciling traditional social values, a strong economy, environmental challenges, and national unity.