Leslyn Lewis has officially decided not to take part in the upcoming Conservative Party of Canada leadership debate.
Her organization says she has informed race management that she will not be taking part in the event scheduled for August 3.
The five candidates vying to succeed former leader Erin O’Toole have been told by the party that they must report to Ottawa for a third and final official debate before the results are revealed on September 10.
Longtime MP Pierre Poilievre, a frontrunner in the race, had previously announced on social media that he would not participate because he is focused on getting the vote out.
Ms Lewis had expressed doubts about the need for another debate and, in a recent open letter to the party, asked if it would cover topics such as abortion and the World Economic Forum, issues she says members ask themselves.
Under Conservative rules, candidates who fail to show up for party debates will be fined $50,000.
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