By James Peters

Kamloops MP lauds new Conservative leader Scheer

May 29, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod’s chosen candidate didn’t win, but she says she’s happy at the choice her party made for its new leader.

Andrew Scheer was elected leader of the Conservative Party of Canada over the weekend, defeating front-runner Maxime Bernier and the McLeod-backed Erin O’Toole.

READ: Andrew Scheer narrowly beats Bernier to become federal Conservative leader

McLeod says Scheer has already proven to be an effective critic of the Liberal government.

“He was the house leader before he decided to enter into the race, and I watched him in Question Period and he was very sharp but he did it with a sense of humour. I think he was very, very effective in getting his point across, holding the government to account, but doing it in a way that was quite light.”

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McLeod says Scheer is well-positioned to lead the Conservatives back into government in 2019.

“Mostly what I know about him is, although he has this really great smile and likable personality, he is very shrewd and he is very smart. I look forward to working with him.”

McLeod adds comparisons between Scheer and former Conservative leader Stephen Harper are not out of place.

“Obviously we share the same values, and those same values as Stephen Harper. Really focusing in on making life easier for families, knowing that you can’t afford to increase home heating bills. Knowing that there are many challenges that families face, and really smaller government is the focus.”