Scheer, who is Catholic, is supported by many social conservatives in caucus who oppose abortion and believe in the traditional definition of marriage. “As leader of the Conservative party, as prime minister of Canada, those subjects will not be reopened from the Conservative government,” he said. Diefenbaker, meanwhile, was born in Ontario (like Scheer) but went on to serve as Conservative leader and prime minister while representing a Saskatchewan riding. Conservative party members will elect a new leader on May 27, 2017. Declared candidates for the Conservative party leadership now include MPs Scheer, Kellie Leitch, Michael Chong, Tony Clement, Maxime Bernier, Deepak Obhrai and Trost, as well as former MP Pierre Lemieux.

Source: National Post September 28, 2016 17:57 UTC