(Ottawa) Jean Charest challenges the five other candidates in the race for the leadership of the Conservative Party to cross swords during a third debate which would be organized by the authorities of the party.
Posted at 11:49
In a tweet on his Twitter account, the former premier of Quebec says another debate is needed to hear each of the aspirants speak out on the important issues facing Canada.
The Conservative Party had mentioned that it reserved the right to organize a third debate if necessary. However, no decision has yet been made on this matter.
“I welcome the opportunity for another debate on policy ideas. Every candidate should welcome the chance to engage further with our members. Are you in? said Mr. Charest, identifying the other candidates on their Twitter account.
The other candidates are MP Pierre Poilievre, considered the leader of the race, Ontario MPs Leslyn Lewis and Scott Aitchison, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and former Queen’s Park MP Roman Baber.
Two debates, one in English and one in French, were organized by the party authorities last month. Another debate, organized by the law think tank Canada Strong and Free Network, also took place before that.
The debate that wishes to obtain should be in both official languages, indicated a spokesperson for Mr. Charest, Laurence Tôth.
“There are still three months left in this leadership race. Party members are entitled to know the policies of all candidates. Mr. Charest presented many policies during the race,” said Ms.me Toth.
Jean Charest’s challenge comes days after Pierre Poilievre’s camp claimed to have recruited nearly 312,000 new party members across the country. That would mean his team would have recruited more than the total number of members who had voted in the party’s last two leadership races.
Patrick Brown’s team says it has sold more than 150,000 membership cards, while Jean Charest’s organization says it has recruited “tens of thousands” of new members.
It was impossible to independently verify the figures put forward by the various candidates. But some camps questioned the claims of others as to the number of members recruited.
Conservative Party Chairman Rob Batherson said officials would not comment on specific leadership candidate numbers.
He said it was too early to give even a rough figure and party staff were working long hours to check claims and make sure there were no duplicates.
But not all of the candidates are bragging publicly, despite a tweet on Saturday from Mr Poilievre’s chief strategist, Jenni Byrne, asking all other campaigns to release their numbers.
Scott Aitchison declined to talk about his team’s membership sales on Monday as he made his way to the House of Commons. The teams of Leslyn Lewis and Roman Baber have not issued public statements.
Former Conservative strategist Tim Powers has heard reports of 600,000 memberships being sold, but says he is waiting for official figures.
“I suspect there is a very good number, I have no doubt, which means a much higher number than before,” Mr. Powers, president of the consultancy Summa, said in an interview Monday. Strategies.
Mr Batherson says the Conservatives will “set a record for the most paid membership of any political party in Canadian history”, eclipsing the record set in 2020 when more than 269,000 people signed up.
“I think the reality is that whoever wins this leadership race is likely to become prime minister and that’s why there’s so much interest,” Batherson said.
The fact that several hundred thousand people have paid $15 each to register sends a message to other parties, especially the Liberals, Powers said. “It probably wouldn’t happen to the same degree if there was satisfaction in the country with the state of public affairs. »
The final results will be announced by July 29, after a preliminary list has been provided to the six candidates for checks – and possible challenges.
Voting takes place by postal ballot. According to Mr. Powers, historically, about 60% of members have voted in recent leadership contests.
With The Canadian Press