The party’s Leadership Elections Organizing Committee said it made the decision after surveying 24,000 members and found that 65 percent supported the move. The announcement will be welcomed by former Quebec premier and leadership candidate Jean Charest, who called for a third debate in a social media post Wednesday afternoon. Along with Charest, candidates Scott Aitchison and Roman Baber have expressed support for a third debate. Leslyn Lewis’s campaign recently said she was traveling the country meeting members but would participate in a third debate if the party decides to hold one. Ayes have it! LEOC is holding a third leadership debate. Thanks to the 24,000 members who responded to our survey, voting overwhelmingly (65%) for more action. Stay tuned for details. #cdnpoli —@CPC_HQ Members saw candidates participate in two party-sanctioned debates in May. The English-language debate took place in Edmonton, followed by a French-language debate in Laval, Que. The party told campaigns they could expect candidates to be called back for a possible third debate in early August. Charest’s approach and call for another debate comes as party members have begun voting for their next leader and the party has begun validating returned ballots. The party is looking at an electoral roll of more than 670,000 names, more than double the size when members elected O’Toole to lead the Conservatives in 2020. The official results from this match will be announced in Ottawa on September 10th.
