The abrupt resignation of the leader of Canada’s Conservative party, Andrew Scheer, has thrown the party ranks into turmoil and triggered what some supporters believe is a necessary bout of soul-searching as it hunts for his successor.

Mr Scheer initially rebuffed weeks of calls for his resignation after the Conservative party’s poor performance in October’s national elections. He eventually agreed to step down on December 12 as reports surfaced that funds from donations to the party had gone to pay for his children’s private schooling.

The departure has exposed a deeper divide within the Conservatives between party members who supported Mr Scheer and those who believe his social conservatism on issues such as LGBTQ rights and abortion and his fuzzy environmental policies are out of step with Canada’s changing face.