Andrew Scheer quits as Canada's Conservative leader

   Canada column for Sunday, Dec. 15/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Andrew Scheer, in a surprise move, has quit as Canada’s Conservative leader.

  He faced severe criticism for failing to lead the party to victory over Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in last October’s election.

   Scheer also became unpopular with voters during the campaign when hounded with questions about his personal opinions on same-sex marriage and abortion.

   Saying it was “one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made,” Scheer will stay on until the party chooses a new leader.

   The 40-year-old politician said he “felt it was time to put my family first” and quit.

   “In order to chart the course ahead, this party, this movement, needs someone who can give 100 percent to the efforts,” he said.

   Trudeau thanked Scheer for his dedication and service, saying he “understood the many sacrifices made by the families of politicians.”

   Among those considered as a possible successor is former interim leader Rona Ambrose.

   She united the Conservatives when former Prime Minister Stephen Harper quit after his party’s 2015 election defeat.

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   Negotiators who reached a new North American free trade deal call it a “win-win-win” for Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

   Now with tentative approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the next step is final ratification by the governments of the partners.

   It will succeed the decades-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and was approved with some changes concerning labor and environmental enforcement and steel imports.

   Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who handled Canada’s negotiations, said it is a “national priority” to now sign the deal.

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   News in brief:

   - Canada’s second phase of air passenger rights begin today and affect flight delays and cancellations. The rules will require airlines to seat parents beside or near their children at no extra cost and compensate flyers for delays and cancellations within an airline’s control. Delays resulting from weather or mechanical issues are exempted. The first phase in July required airlines to compensate for tarmac delays, denied boardings and lost or damaged luggage.

   - Independent Member of Parliament Jody Wilson-Raybould is being threatened with eviction if she won’t leave her cabinet office space. She resigned as a Liberal cabinet minister after a dispute over ethics with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last February. She said she understood she would stay in her offices and had an Algonquin elder bless the space and isn’t leaving soon.

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   Facts and figures:

   The Canadian dollar has advanced to 75.93 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.317 Canadian before exchange fees.

   The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is steady at 1.75 percent while the prime-lending rate is 3.95 percent.

   Canadian stock markets are higher with the Toronto exchange index at 17,003 points and the TSX Venture index 540 points.

   The average price for gas in Canada is steady at $1.12 a liter or $4.25 for a U.S. gallon.

   Lotto Max:  (Dec.10) 7, 11, 19, 30, 42, 43 and 50; bonus 44. (Dec. 6) 9, 11, 17, 19, 35, 36 and 43; bonus 28.

   Lotto 6/49: (Dec. 7) 18, 32, 36, 37, 38 and 45; bonus 13. (Dec.11) 7, 17, 21, 34, 47 and 48; bonus 27.

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   Regional briefs:

   - High school teachers from 10 boards across Ontario will hold a one-day strike on Wednesday to back contract demands. This is the third day-long walkout while other teachers will hold information pickets outside schools and provincial government offices. At issue are wage increases and the government’s plan to increase class sizes and order mandatory e-learning.

   - The Christmas tree industry in Nova Scotia is bouncing back after the provincial government earlier this year pledged $750,000 to strengthen the industry and explore new markets. The 320 producers who harvest 15,000 acres will also have better access to smart trees. These are healthier and hold needles for up to three months. There is worldwide demand for the forest-grown balsam firs.

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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com