The first official English debate organized by the party’s Organizing Committee for Leadership Elections (LEOC) is scheduled for May 11 at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton. A French debate will follow on May 25 at 8 p.m. in Montreal. A note sent to the candidates last week and received by CBC News indicates that a format for the discussions has not yet been established. Candidates will receive a list of topics one week before each discussion. “We look forward to an inspiring but respectful discussion and thank all the candidates who have put their names to the benefit of our party and all Canadians,” said Rick Ekstein, chairman of the LEOC discussion committee. LEOC also notes in the note that it “reserves the right” to host another debate in early August. Leading candidates are also expected to attend an informal debate May 5 in Ottawa at a conference hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network, the conservative defense group formerly known as the Manning Center. Tickets for the conference – which is being touted as a gathering of Canadians in support of limited government, free enterprise and personal responsibility – start at almost $ 400. At least 11 people have announced their intentions to run for office, but as of April 11, only six names are on the party’s official list of candidates. All applicants must pay the full entry fee of $ 300,000 by April 29 to qualify for the competition. The party will elect its next leader at a congress on September 10. Pierre Poilievre, Jean Charest, Patrick Brown and Leslyn Lewis are widely regarded as pioneers in the fight to replace outgoing leader Erin O’Toole. The field is completed by Conservative MPs Marc Dalton and Scott Aitchison. former MP Leona Alleslev. Independent Ontario MPP Roman Baber? businessmen Joseph Bourgault and Bobby Singh; and former Conservative candidate Joel Etienne.
