Regina-Qu’Appelle MP Andrew Scheer has resigned as the Opposition House Leader, as he contemplates a bid at the vacant leadership role for the federal Conservative Party.
In a statement released Tuesday, Scheer said consultations on a potential leadership run have been encouraging.
Scheer added he felt it would be more appropriate to continue to potentially seek party leadership outside of a caucus leadership position.
In 2011, Scheer was elected as Speaker of the House at the age of 32. This made him the youngest person ever to hold that role.
He’s served as MP for Regina-Qu’Appelle since 2004.
In his statement, Scheer said he will make a decision on whether or not to run for Conservative leadership in the coming weeks.
If Scheer enters the increasingly crowded race he’ll have to contend with eastern MP’s Tony Clement (Parry Sound-Muskoka, Ont.) and Maxime Bernier (Beauce, Que).
There are also other high profile potential candidates like finance critic Lisa Raitt and businessman Kevin O’Leary.
Peter MacKay was thought of as a potential favourite to win, but the former Nova Scotia MP announced he isn’t seeking party leadership.
READ MORE: Peter MacKay says he won’t run for Conservative leadership
Mandryk said Scheer might not have the same national profile as he does in western Canada, but his time as Speaker of the House may help.
However, that role doesn’t come without drawbacks according to Mandryk.
“As Speaker, you’re not exactly having a great political identity, and that might work to his disadvantage,” Mandryk explained.
At the Conservative caucus retreat in Halifax interim leader Rona Ambrose said the party’s next leader needs to have a unifying voice.
University of Regina political science associate professor Jim Farney said he doesn’t see Scheer emerging as a frontrunner, but that’s not a bad thing.
“I could see Scheer set up as a lot of people’s second or third choice, because there’s so many people running, the person that’s going to win is going to be that second or third choice,” he explained.
READ MORE: Saskatoon MP Brad Trost believes he can unite Tories if elected leader
If Scheer enter the race, he’ll be the second candidate from Saskatchewan. Saskatoon-University MP Brad Trost previously announced he is will be seeking the leadership on May 27, 2017.
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