OTTAWA –
Federal Conservative Party leadership candidate Jean Charest is pressing the party to decide whether it will hold a third debate for the candidates.
Charest’s request comes as members of the committee that sets the race’s rules will meet this evening, when a decision can be made.
The party has held two official debates in the leadership race, one in English and the other in French, but has told campaigns it could be called back for another as early as this month. Eight.
Party members have dealt with the fallout from Patrick Brown’s disqualification, but last week emailed party members asking if they wanted another debate.
According to party rules, candidates are required to participate in official party debates, and they can be fined for not showing up.
In a tweet today, Charest said virtually all campaigns support the party holding the third debate and that many of the newest members have also made the request.
This report by the Canadian Press was first published on July 20, 2022.
