Beyond Politics
Andrew Scheer
Original air date: May 2010 A paper route at the age of nine spurred Conservative MP Andrew Scheer's interest in news and politics. In high school, Scheer volunteered for the Reform Party, and after graduation it turned into a full time job working in the Opposition Leader's Office giving him a front row seat to the turbulent machinations of uniting the right. Scheer worked for all three leaders during those exciting times: Preston Manning; Deborah Grey; Stockwell Day and eventually Stephen Harper. In the meantime, Andrew met his future wife Jill, where love took him away from Ottawa to her hometown of Regina. In 2004, Andrew happily ensconced in Saskatchewan with his newlywed bride and a job as an insurance broker, decided to run for federal office. Scheer's only hurdle was that he was running in a riding held by the NDP for almost 30 years without interruption, against long time NDP incumbent Lorne Nystrom. The margin was only 861 votes, but it was enough. Once in Ottawa, Andrew took to Parliament Hill like a duck to water. After the 2008 election, Andrew ran for speaker and although he didn't win, he earned enough votes to be named Deputy Speaker. He talks to Catherine Clark about his work, his wife Jill and their 3 children and his life Beyond Politics.
