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Scheer believes the party’s next leader must better connect with Canadians and deliver a “positive” vision, without watering down core Conservative beliefs.

“Conservatives do not win when they abandon their principles. We do not need to change who we are,” he told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa.

Scheer, who is Catholic, is supported by many social conservatives in caucus who oppose abortion and believe in the traditional definition of marriage.

But Scheer stressed that he will not reopen the debate on such controversial social issues as abortion and marriage, believing it’s a recipe for division in the party and electoral defeat. Instead, he said he will try to get Conservatives to focus on issues that unite them, like lower taxes, more efficient government and balanced budgets.

“As leader of the Conservative party, as prime minister of Canada, those subjects will not be reopened from the Conservative government,” he said.

“There are issues that we can bring up on a wide spectrum of things that don’t have very good odds of passing in the House that would divide our caucus. It’s not good for the team to do things like that.”

Scheer’s base of support, to this point, shows how the race could turn into a bit of a regional battle.

Of the 20 caucus members identified Wednesday as supporting Scheer, all 17 MPs are from Western Canada (nine from Alberta, four from Saskatchewan, three from B.C. and one from Manitoba). Of the three senators who have declared their support, two are from Saskatchewan and one is from Newfoundland and Labrador.