Conservative Party Leadership Debates Set for May

A man is silhouetted walking past a Conservative Party logo before the opening of the Party's national convention in Halifax on Aug. 23, 2018. The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese

The Conservative Party will hold its first leadership debate on May 11 and the second one two weeks later on May 25.

The first debate will be in English and will be held in Edmonton and the second debate will be in French and take place in Montreal.

The Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) says the debate topics will be sent to the campaigns beforehand.

The LEOC said a third debate could be called for August before members are asked to cast their votes.

“We look forward to spirited but respectful discourse, and thank all candidates for putting their names forward to benefit our Party, and all Canadians,” reads the LEOC memorandum reported by CTV News.

The results of the race are expected to be announced on Sept. 10.

In the meantime, the cut-off for candidates to enter the race is coming soon on April 19, and then they’ll have until June 3 to sell memberships.

Candidates must pay $200,000 to enter the race and provide an additional $100,000 compliance deposit.

Candidates officially verified by the party so far include former Quebec premier Jean Charest, Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, and Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre.

Other candidates that have announced their bid include Conservative MP Scott Aitchison, Ontario independent MPP Roman Baber, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, former Ontario MP Leona Alleslev, Conservative MP Marc Dalton, and Saskatchewan businessman Joseph Bourgault.

Joel Etienne, the Conservative candidate for York Centre in 2021 has launched a campaign website but has not officially announced his intention to run.

Poilievre was the first to announce his bid on Feb. 5, three days after former CPC leader Erin O’Toole was ousted.

Poilievre has so far received the most endorsements from his colleague MPs with around 50 backing him. The Ottawa MP has been polling ahead of rivals and drawing large crowds at his campaign events.

In recent days Pollievre has been trading barbs with his most serious adversary so far in Charest, who said Poilievre’s support for the Freedom Convoy “disqualifies’ him for the role of prime minister. Poilievre responded by accusing Charest of repeating “Liberal lies about truckers” because he “is Liberal.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.