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Justin Trudeau’s Conservative Rival Discloses He Has Dual U.S. Citizenship Justin Trudeau’s Conservative Rival Discloses He Has Dual U.S. Citizenship
(2 days later)
OTTAWA — The leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, Justin Trudeau’s chief rival to become prime minister, acknowledged on Thursday that he also holds American citizenship.OTTAWA — The leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, Justin Trudeau’s chief rival to become prime minister, acknowledged on Thursday that he also holds American citizenship.
Andrew Scheer, 40, did not disclose his dual citizenship until The Globe and Mail, a Toronto newspaper, revealed it.Andrew Scheer, 40, did not disclose his dual citizenship until The Globe and Mail, a Toronto newspaper, revealed it.
Dual citizens are not barred from political office in Canada, nor does the country impose any restrictions on holding other citizenships. But the disclosure follows other embarrassing revelations about Mr. Scheer’s personal history, and may also undermine his campaign’s efforts to portray Mr. Trudeau, who is dealing with a controversy over appearing in blackface and brownface several years ago, as inauthentic.Dual citizens are not barred from political office in Canada, nor does the country impose any restrictions on holding other citizenships. But the disclosure follows other embarrassing revelations about Mr. Scheer’s personal history, and may also undermine his campaign’s efforts to portray Mr. Trudeau, who is dealing with a controversy over appearing in blackface and brownface several years ago, as inauthentic.
When asked by reporters why he had not brought up his dual citizenship earlier, Mr. Scheer said: “No one’s ever asked me before.”When asked by reporters why he had not brought up his dual citizenship earlier, Mr. Scheer said: “No one’s ever asked me before.”
“I’ve never been asked about it by Canadians,” he said. “My father has always been open about where he comes from.”“I’ve never been asked about it by Canadians,” he said. “My father has always been open about where he comes from.”
[Andrew Scheer is polling neck and neck with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but he lacks star power. Can he overcome that and win?]
Mr. Scheer said that he began the process of renouncing his American citizenship in August. Canada’s current election campaign, in which he is currently tied in polls with Mr. Trudeau, started last month.Mr. Scheer said that he began the process of renouncing his American citizenship in August. Canada’s current election campaign, in which he is currently tied in polls with Mr. Trudeau, started last month.
Thursday’s revelation drew criticism from political opponents.Thursday’s revelation drew criticism from political opponents.
“Over a million Canadians hold dual citizenship — it’s part of what makes Canada great,” Zita Astravas, a spokeswoman for the Liberal Party, said in a statement. “But none have hidden that fact when running to be prime minister. Andrew Scheer has been fundamentally dishonest with Canadians about who he is.”“Over a million Canadians hold dual citizenship — it’s part of what makes Canada great,” Zita Astravas, a spokeswoman for the Liberal Party, said in a statement. “But none have hidden that fact when running to be prime minister. Andrew Scheer has been fundamentally dishonest with Canadians about who he is.”
Speaking with reporters at a campaign event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Thursday, Mr. Scheer said that he was eligible for American citizenship because his father, a former newspaper librarian in Ottawa, was born in the United States. He added that he has filed American tax returns, a requirement of United States citizenship. His campaign separately said that Mr. Scheer has never voted in an American election and that he had let his American passport lapse long ago.Speaking with reporters at a campaign event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Thursday, Mr. Scheer said that he was eligible for American citizenship because his father, a former newspaper librarian in Ottawa, was born in the United States. He added that he has filed American tax returns, a requirement of United States citizenship. His campaign separately said that Mr. Scheer has never voted in an American election and that he had let his American passport lapse long ago.
Members of Mr. Scheer’s Conservative Party have in the past been critical of Liberal and New Democratic Party leaders who held dual citizenships with France. In 2005, Mr. Scheer asked readers in a blog post if they were bothered that by the appointment of a dual French citizen, Michaëlle Jean, as governor general, who fulfills Queen Elizabeth II’s duties as head of state. He added: “Would it bother you if instead of French citizenship, she held U.S. citizenship?”Members of Mr. Scheer’s Conservative Party have in the past been critical of Liberal and New Democratic Party leaders who held dual citizenships with France. In 2005, Mr. Scheer asked readers in a blog post if they were bothered that by the appointment of a dual French citizen, Michaëlle Jean, as governor general, who fulfills Queen Elizabeth II’s duties as head of state. He added: “Would it bother you if instead of French citizenship, she held U.S. citizenship?”
Ms. Jean gave up her French citizenship before taking office.Ms. Jean gave up her French citizenship before taking office.
In 2012, then Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whom Mr. Scheer succeeded as head of the Conservative Party, criticized Tom Mulcair, the leader of the New Democrats, for also holding French citizenship.In 2012, then Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whom Mr. Scheer succeeded as head of the Conservative Party, criticized Tom Mulcair, the leader of the New Democrats, for also holding French citizenship.
“I’m very clear: I’m a Canadian and only a Canadian,” Mr. Harper said.“I’m very clear: I’m a Canadian and only a Canadian,” Mr. Harper said.
The revelation comes as Mr. Scheer has faced questions about his résumé and past. While he has long boasted about his time as an insurance broker in Saskatchewan, his adopted home province, he recently acknowledged that he never held a brokers license but had worked in a low-level insurance job for “six or seven months.”The revelation comes as Mr. Scheer has faced questions about his résumé and past. While he has long boasted about his time as an insurance broker in Saskatchewan, his adopted home province, he recently acknowledged that he never held a brokers license but had worked in a low-level insurance job for “six or seven months.”
Mr. Scheer has also repeatedly accused Mr. Trudeau of being an out-of-touch elitist because of his family’s wealth. By contrast, Mr. Scheer has emphasized his having grown up in a townhouse in a family that did not own a car.Mr. Scheer has also repeatedly accused Mr. Trudeau of being an out-of-touch elitist because of his family’s wealth. By contrast, Mr. Scheer has emphasized his having grown up in a townhouse in a family that did not own a car.
But news reports have revealed that his parents both held unionized jobs and had a household income of at least 121,000 Canadian dollars when they retired in the 1990s.But news reports have revealed that his parents both held unionized jobs and had a household income of at least 121,000 Canadian dollars when they retired in the 1990s.
Since being elected to Parliament at the age of 25, Mr. Scheer has earned six-figure salaries. And as speaker of the House of Commons and leader of the opposition he has lived in rent-free government-owned houses staffed with a retinue of government employees.Since being elected to Parliament at the age of 25, Mr. Scheer has earned six-figure salaries. And as speaker of the House of Commons and leader of the opposition he has lived in rent-free government-owned houses staffed with a retinue of government employees.
Canada’s last census showed that there are 135,170 Americans living in Canada who hold citizenship in at least one other country.Canada’s last census showed that there are 135,170 Americans living in Canada who hold citizenship in at least one other country.