OTTAWA–Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he never disclosed his American citizenship because he was never asked.

In a hastily scheduled media availability Thursday, Scheer said he’s always been “very honest about” the fact that he has dual U.S.-Canada citizenship. But he also said he’s never disclosed that fact publicly because he’s never been asked.

“I was born in Canada. My mom was born in Mississauga, my dad was born in the United States. I grew up my whole life in Canada,” Scheer told reporters in Halifax, N.S.

“I made the decision after I became leader of the party to do this. I was focused on other things, rebuilding the party, getting ready for the election, working on the platform. It was always my intention to do (renounce U.S. citizenship) before the election.”

Scheer was elected Conservative leader in May 2017, but his campaign says he only began the process of renouncing his U.S. citizenship in August, on the eve of the federal election campaign.

The Conservative leader said he met with U.S. embassy officials in August, filed the necessary paperwork, and is awaiting word that his renunciation has been processed. A call to the U.S. embassy in Ottawa was not returned Thursday night.

Scheer’s campaign confirmed he has filed tax returns with the U.S. government, as required by U.S. law, but has not voted in any U.S. election.

In the past, the Conservatives have pilloried their political rivals for holding dual citizenship while running to become prime minister.

In 2012, Stephen Harper criticized NDP leader Thomas Mulcair for having dual citizenship with France.

“Just to be clear, these cases have come up in the past, and obviously it’s for Mr. Mulcair to use his political judgment in this case,” Harper said at the time.

“In my case, as I say, I’m very clear. I’m a Canadian and only a Canadian.”

Former Liberal leader Stéphane Dion also faced criticism for his French citizenship, with former NDP leader Jack Layton suggesting a federal leader should “hold only Canadian citizenship.”

The Conservatives also famously ran a series of attack ads against former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, who had spent much of his academic career in the United States, which suggested Ignatieff “didn’t come back for you.”

In a 2005 blog post, Scheer questioned whether Michaëlle Jean was a good choice for Canada’s governor general.

“Does it bother you that she is a dual citizen (France and Canada)? Would it bother you if instead of French citizenship, she held U.S. citizenship?” Scheer, then a U.S. citizen, wrote.

When asked about the post Thursday, Scheer said he was just putting the question to his Regina-Qu’Appelle constituents.

When asked if he was concealing his U.S. citizenship by omission, Scheer simply said he “would disagree” with that.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

In a statement Thursday night, the Liberal campaign accused Scheer of “hiding” his American citizenship and suggested the Conservative leader was misleading Canadians on other aspects of his life and beliefs.

“Over a million Canadians hold dual citizenship — it’s part of what makes Canada great. But none have hidden that fact when running to be Prime Minister,” wrote Zita Astravas, a spokesperson for the Liberal campaing.

“Andrew Scheer has been fundamentally dishonest with Canadians about who he is.”

Read more about: