Scheer boots former rival Bernier from shadow cabinet
OTTAWA— Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has booted his former leadership rival Maxime Bernier from the party’s front benches, abruptly announcing the Beauce MP would no longer have a critic role Tuesday night.
In a surprise statement to reporters, Scheer announced Bernier would no longer serve as the party’s science and economic development critic. “I have removed Maxime Bernier from the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet, effective immediately,” Scheer wrote. The Conservatives style their front bench as a “shadow cabinet.”
“The Shadow Minister for Science, Matt Jeneroux, will assume the additional role of Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Economic Development on an interim basis.”
Scheer gave no reason for the decision. A Conservative spokesperson deferred to Scheer’s director of communica- tions, Jake Enwright, who could not immediately be reached for comment.
Bernier, a self-styled libertarian Conservative from Beauce, narrowly lost the Conservative leadership race to Scheer on the 13th and final ballot last year. Bernier had been a heavy favourite to take the leadership.
Bernier has found himself offside of Scheer’s office more than once since that race. He maintained his opposition to Canada’s supply managed dairy system, which went against the political orthodoxy in Quebec, despite his party’s official support for that system.
Efforts to reach Bernier Tuesday were unsuccessful.