Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Tory Sen. Jean-Guy Dagenais Quits Caucus Over Scheer's Socially Conservative Views

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Nov, 2019 06:30 PM

    OTTAWA - Conservative Sen. Jean-Guy Dagenais is leaving his party's caucus over concerns about leader Andrew Scheer's socially conservative views and will join a newly-formed group of independent senators in the upper chamber.

     

    In a statement Monday, Dagenais said Scheer's views on abortion and same-sex marriage led to a "mass exodus" of support in the province of Quebec, effectively ending the chances of electing more candidates there.

     

    There's no possibility things will change in time for the next election, Dagenais said.

     

    "We have wasted a unique opportunity and the result will be the same the next time if the current leader and those who advise him remain in office as is the case at this time," Dagenais said.

     

    He said his opinions would make it inappropriate for him to continue to participate in the Conservative caucus, but he intends to remain a member of the party.

     

    The Canadian Senators Group was formed earlier this month by 11 senators seeking to ensure regional issues get their due.

     

    The majority of its members have links to the Conservative party, but the group also announced Monday that Sen. Percy Downe, who was appointed as a Liberal, was joining its ranks.

     

    Downe had previously been one of the last members of the Senate Liberal caucus.

     

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had severed all ties with the group in 2014, and upon forming government had appointed senators only as independents.

     

    Last week, the remaining members of the Liberal caucus had also rebranded themselves as the Progressive Senate Group.

     
    THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Matthew Usherwood

    MORE National ARTICLES

    NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Declines To Weigh In On Don Cherry, Says Ron Maclean ‘Spoke From The Heart’

    NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Sportsnet broadcaster Ron MacLean "spoke from the heart" during his monologue on "Hockey Night in Canada" over the weekend.

    NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Declines To Weigh In On Don Cherry, Says Ron Maclean ‘Spoke From The Heart’

    Some Military Personnel Linked To Hate Warned, Disciplined But Allowed To Stay

    The Department of National Defence says 16 military members that a report last year linked to hateful actions or groups have been warned, disciplined or ordered to take counselling, but allowed to remain in uniform.

    Some Military Personnel Linked To Hate Warned, Disciplined But Allowed To Stay

    Trudeau, King Of Jordan Meet To Talk Refugee Issues, Security Concerns

    OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lauded the king of Jordan for his leadership in the Middle East during troubled times.    

    Trudeau, King Of Jordan Meet To Talk Refugee Issues, Security Concerns

    Cold, Stormy Winter Forecast Across Much Of Canada, The Weather Network Predicts

    It's going to be a long, cold and messy winter across much of Canada, according to the seasonal forecast released Monday by the Weather Network.    

    Cold, Stormy Winter Forecast Across Much Of Canada, The Weather Network Predicts

    Family Of Terrace Man Killed In Hit-And-Run Plead For Tips, One Year Later

    On November 18, 2018, 30 year-old Cameron Kerr of Terrace, BC was walking home along Highway 16 west of Terrace when he was struck and killed by a hit and run driver.

    Family Of Terrace Man Killed In Hit-And-Run Plead For Tips, One Year Later

    Students Back To School Monday After Union Ratifies B.C. Settlement

    Students Back To School Monday After Union Ratifies B.C. Settlement
    VICTORIA - A strike that kept students in the Victoria area from classes for three weeks is over after union members voted to accept a contract agreement reached over the weekend.    

    Students Back To School Monday After Union Ratifies B.C. Settlement

    PrevNext