Five out of six candidates for Conservative leadership have expressed support for a third official debate, with the perception of the favorite being the only one to resist.
Leadership candidates Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, Leslyn Lewis, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison publicly declared on Wednesday that they are open to a third contest, but Pierre Poilievre has yet to comment.
The Party held two official debates in May, one in English and one in French. There was also an unofficial debate earlier this month, organized by the political advocacy group Canada Strong & Free Network, although Brown was absent.
Former Quebec Charest prime minister tweeted support for a third official debate on Wednesday morning.
“So welcome to the opportunity for another debate on the #CPCLDR’s political ideas. All candidates should welcome the opportunity to become more involved with our members,” Charest tweeted.
I welcome another opportunity
You are here? https://t.co/YOwmzHESJI
– @ JeanCharest_
He also asked his fellow candidates if they would join him on stage, and the majority expressed their approval.
“Let’s have another debate!” tweeted former Ontario MP Baber.
“Canadians need to hear from us. But this time not Tom Clark,” he added, expressing his dissatisfaction with the moderator of the English debate, journalist Tom Clark.
Let’s have another debate!
Canadians need to listen to us. But this time not Tom Clark https://t.co/JCBpf7WA5B
– @ Roman_Baber
Brown, the mayor of Brampton, said it was important for Conservative members to have more information about the candidates’ policies and ideas. In previous debates, candidates clashed over areas such as rising cost of living, public health measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and foreign policy.
“So welcome and look forward to a third debate on conservative leadership,” Brown said on Twitter.
I would appreciate a third party pic.twitter.com/TrIev3Z61d
– @patrickbrownont
“We need, and the members deserve it, a solid and transparent broadcast of political positions and different visions of the party’s future to decide who is best to guide us forward.”
In a video posted on Twitter, Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Aitchison said a third debate would be a good way to talk to new party members.
Party sources told CBC earlier this week that a record number of members are expected to vote in the leadership race. The new leader will be announced on September 10.
“Thousands of Canadians from this country have joined our party for the first time [for] many of them, and many of them don’t know their leadership candidates so well, “Aitchison said.
“So it would be great to have a third policy debate where we can talk about ideas that not only can these new members of our party hear, but also millions of Canadians across the country.”
I’m there.
what you say pic.twitter.com/MSRa686tjU
– @ ScottAAitchison
Norfolk MP Lewis Haldimand also voiced support for a third official debate in a tweet, but with a trap.
“I am always open to any debate that involves honest dialogue and that is not just an opportunity for public mud,” he said. Some commentators have found the debates remarkable for their stupidity.
I am always open to any debate that involves honest dialogue and is not just an opportunity for public emergency. https://t.co/h9iRlDl1oF
– @ LeslynLewis
But Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre, who has so far been considered the candidate to win, has not joined the choir.
A representative of the Poilievre campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CBC.
In a statement to CBC, Conservative Party chairman Robert Batherson said no decision had been made on a third debate, but that the party would take into account the thoughts of the candidates and members.
“In mid-April 2022, the Conservative Party of Canada informed leadership candidates that two official debates would be held in May and that we would reserve the right to schedule a third official debate in August,” the statement said.
“No decision has been made on a third debate at this time, but we are listening to members of the Conservative Party, including, among others, the six leadership campaigns, their views on hosting a third debate. official “.