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Tory M.P. Andrew Scheer.

OTTAWA, November 19, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — Former Tory House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer was named yesterday the Opposition House leader by interim Conservative Party Leader Rona Ambrose.

Scheer will now be responsible for questioning the Liberal Government House Leader on the forthcoming business of the House, negotiating on the progress of House business, as well as managing the Official Opposition's House business.

Scheer, representing Regina – Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, is remembered for changing a House rule in 2013 that gave MPs freedom to speak in the House by “catching the Speaker’s eye” instead of having to wait for permission from party brass. Pro-life MPs saw the change as loosening the stranglehold of party leaders on MPs, especially that of former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper who had a reputation for repressing the abortion debate in Parliament.

Scheer is also remembered for speaking out against and voting against Bill C-38 in 2005 that redefined marriage to include same-sex couples, saying it was “abhorrent to me, to other Catholics and to every member of every faith community.”

In 2008 he also spoke out against awarding arch-abortionist Henry Morgentaler the Order of Canada, saying he was “greatly disappointed that Canada's highest civilian honour has been politicized and debased by this appointment.”

Scheer said he is looking forward to serving the country in his new role.

“Having spent the last four years as Speaker of the House of Commons, and deputy Speaker prior to that, I am used to working constructively with members of Parliament from all parties.”

“The House of Commons should be a place of robust and substantive debate for the common good of our country, and I am committed to playing my part in realizing this goal,” he said.

Ambrose also named Quebec MP Denis Lebel, Lac-Saint-Jean, as her deputy leader. Lebel has been given a “caution” rating from Campaign Life Coalition for voting against a pro-life motion in 2012 on the topic of examining the humanity of a preborn child in the womb.

Ambrose said the appointments will help set the “right tone” for the party which is trying to recover and rebuild after a stunning defeat in last month’s election.

“Denis and Andrew bring not only a wealth of intelligence and parliamentary experience, but they bring the right tone, in helping build a strong, vigorous but respectful Opposition,” she said in a press release.

“In the coming days, I'll be presenting to Canadians a shadow cabinet, focused on earning the trust of all Canadians,” she said.