OTTAWA—Canada’s former trade minister under Stephen Harper refused a position in Andrew Scheer’s shadow cabinet, the Star has learned. Ed Fast, a well-respected Conservative MP from British Columbia, told the Star Friday he asked Scheer not to include him in the Conservative front benches. Fast would not say if he supports Scheer’s continued leadership, saying the discussion will remain “between me and Mr. Scheer.”But the former trade minister said that he will remain “fully engaged” in the Conservative caucus, plans to run under the Conservative banner in the next election, and believes there are “pressing issues” facing the country. “All I can say is that Mr. Scheer is entitled to surround himself with a team that fully supports his leadership. And I think he has done that,” Fast said in an interview.

Source: thestar November 29, 2019 19:30 UTC