Poilievre, Lewis to sit out final Conservative leadership race debate

No viewers, no podiums and appearances from solely three out of the 5 candidates operating to steer the federal Conservatives.

These are the circumstances below which the occasion’s final official debate of the race will happen tonight in Ottawa, earlier than a winner is introduced Sept. 10.

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These taking part will likely be ex-Quebec premier Jean Charest, rural Ontario MP Scott Aitchison and Roman Baber, a former provincial legislator who Doug Ford booted from caucus over his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns.

Moderately than standing at particular person podiums, the three will likely be positioned round a desk for the occasion, which is being billed as half debate, half roundtable.

Moderated by the occasion’s president, the occasion will likely be break up into two 45-minute rounds. Candidates will reply questions in English through the first part after which change to French for the second half.

Whereas Charest applauded the occasion’s choice to make the occasion bilingual, doing so little doubt poses a problem to Aitchison and Baber, who should not fluent French audio system.

Matters anticipated to be coated embrace local weather change, Indigenous Peoples, management, well being care and rural Canada.

The occasion’s choice to arrange a 3rd debate after two official ones had been held in Might drew sharp criticism from some within the occasion, together with the 2 candidates who’ve determined to not present: Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis.

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Poilievre’s marketing campaign issued a sharply worded assertion after the occasion made the decision.

It mentioned the longtime MP and perceived front-runner of the race was going to remain centered on getting members to fill out their ballots, and slammed the sooner official English debate as an “embarrassment” for asking candidates private questions on their favorite streaming exhibits and music.

Lewis’s marketing campaign knowledgeable the occasion final week she wouldn’t attend, saying regardless of looking for out extra particulars it lacked particulars round format or questions.

Lewis, a rookie MP who continues to be studying French, pressed the occasion in an open letter on whether or not the occasion would tackle points just like the World Financial Discussion board, calling an inquiry into the federal pandemic response and abortion – subjects, she mentioned, she was listening to about from occasion members.

Beneath occasion guidelines, Poilievre and Lewis now danger being levied a $50,000 nice for skipping out on an official debate. The cash could be taken from a $100,000 compliance deposit candidates submitted to enter the race.

As a substitute of taking part in tonight’s debate, Lewis plans to spend the night campaigning on Prince Edward Island, whereas Poilievre is in Saskatchewan.

The occasion says the controversy is the final probability members need to see candidates ship their pitches earlier than submitting their ballots.

1000’s of mail-in ballots are already being returned, which the occasion is processing.

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Whereas Poilievre criticized the third debate as a distraction from his efforts to get out the vote, Charest’s workforce views it as an vital alternative to steer members to choose him as their first alternative.

Final week, the occasion launched the ultimate tally of what number of members can vote within the contest, saying a record-breaking 679,000 will be capable to fill out a poll.

That’s greater than double the variety of members the occasion boasted when former chief Erin O’Toole was elected in 2020.

One of many provinces to see the largest development in membership gross sales was Quebec, a key battleground for each Charest and Poilievre.

Lately launched fundraising figures present Poilievre raked in additional than $4 million through the second quarter of this yr, in comparison with Charest who raised nearly $1.4 million.