Conservative Leader Scheer parts ways with two top staffers following election loss
Posted Nov 23, 2019 9:50 am.
Last Updated Nov 23, 2019 10:51 am.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The leader of the Federal Conservatives is parting ways with two of his top staffers following a disappointing election result.
In a letter sent to the party Saturday morning, Andrew Scheer says Chief of Staff Marc-Andre Leclerc and Director of Communications Brock Harrison are out.
“I felt it was important to make changes at the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition,” Scheer writes to caucus.
.@AndrewScheer has fired his Chief of Staff and Communications Director. In a letter to @CPC_HQ members, Scheer says he felt it was important to make changes following last month's election that saw his party lose. @NEWS1130
— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) November 23, 2019
Martin Belanger and Simon Jefferies will act as interim chief of staff and director of communications, respectively.
Jeffries previously worked for Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Scheer is not spelling out exactly why the men are losing their jobs but writes, “These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve friends. I wish them nothing but the best in all of their future endeavours.”
The Conservatives were unable to make electoral gains in Quebec and Ontario necessary to form government, despite running neck-and-neck with the Liberals throughout the campaign.
The party gained seats in the October 21 vote, but was left to form the official opposition in the minority parliament.
