Jean Charest took on the absent candidates at the latest Conservative leadership debate, saying showing up at such events is a sign of respect for party members who will choose the new leader. The former Quebec premier did not directly name Pierre Poiliev, considered a pioneer, or Leslyn Lewis, who were in Regina and Prince Edward Island, respectively. Both had said they would not participate in the debate over concerns about its format and preferred to work with members. The other two candidates – Ontario MP Scott Aitchison and Roman Baber, a former Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature – avoided the issue of candidates they were unaware of. The Conservative Party is about to become the personal property of Pierre Poilievre The next Conservative leader could be the prime minister. Why don’t they get a proper job interview? But Mr. Charest, who has been particularly critical of Mr. Poilievre, said during the 90-minute event that a leadership candidate who doesn’t show up for the debate is like a fish that doesn’t want to swim in the ocean. “All my life I’ve been showing up,” Mr. Charest said, citing his role in challenges such as rebuilding the Progressive Conservative Party after its 1993 defeat and his work in the Quebec referendum. “I showed up every time when it was important to the country, when it was important to my party, when it was important to the future of Canada.” He added, “Leadership is about fighting and showing up. It’s not about running away.” While Mr. Charest did not mention Mr. Poilievre by name during the debate, posts on his Twitter account included one that read “Where’s Pierre?” who mocked Mr. Poiliev. In Regina, Mr. Poilievre said Wednesday night he was glad he wasn’t in the debate. “I can tell you there is no place I would rather be right now. They tell me that instead of being here with all of you in Saskatchewan, I could be put in a small hotel room around a small table listening to a defeated Liberal top drone talk about his latest carbon tax idea. ” Mr. Poilievre told supporters in a video clip posted by CTV. “I don’t know if you’ve seen the picture of this thing they’re putting up. It looks like they are playing a little card game except there are no cards. I’d rather be out here talking to real people.” Ms Lewis and Mr Poilievre face $50,000 in party fines for skipping the debate. Ms. Lewis’s press secretary, Michael Hettrick, said in a statement that, “Dr. Lewis pledged to meet with local grassroots members today in person. He honors those commitments.” Previous debates have been held before audiences in Edmonton and Laval, Que. When the party asked about holding a third, members voted yes. It was in a studio without an audience. Party president Rob Batherson moderated the event, which included sections in French and English. Conservative leadership frontrunner Pierre Poilievre attends a barbecue party in Calgary on July 9. He faces a $50,000 fine from the party for skipping the debate. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press Mr. Charest, a former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative party that governed Quebec from 2003 to 2012, said he could lead the Conservatives to victory after back-to-back defeats. He cited his experience leading federal and provincial parliamentary groups and campaigning in federal and provincial elections. “I can win a majority government and that’s what we need,” he said in his opening speech. Mr Aitchison highlighted his credentials as a former mayor and his plan to end the country’s housing crisis, which he calls his “YIMBY” plan, by focusing on building new homes. He also called for taxes to be “simple, predictable, fair and low”. Mr. Baber opened by talking about what he called the “catastrophe” of mental health in Canada and saying he would end the COVID-19 restrictions. “I hear from a lot of Canadians how hurt they are by the segregation of the 21st century,” he said, noting that he was kicked out of the Ontario Progressive Conservative group for opposing lockdowns. Leslyn Lewis highlights the Conservative leadership debate in Edmonton on May 11. Ms Lewis had said last week she would skip Wednesday’s debate unless issues such as abortion and the World Economic Forum were raised. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press During the friendly gathering, the candidates discussed issues such as climate change, airport chaos, health care and housing. “We’re all getting along,” Mr Aitchison said at one point during a debate on the environment. But he repeatedly pressed Mr Charest on whether he would stay to help the Conservatives if he did not win the leadership. The former prime minister did not answer the question. Pressed into a confrontation after discussing what he will do if he doesn’t win, Mr. Charest quickly dismissed that scenario. “We are like boxers at the end of our fight. We’re in the 12th round and they interrupt us to say, “well, what if you don’t do it [win]?’” he said. “The truth is, I’m focused on one goal – which I’m going to achieve – and that’s to become the leader of the party and then, the prime minister of Canada. Period.” Mr Batherson said the party had received 150,000 ballots from members. The deadline for voting is September 6. The winner will be announced on September 10th. The Conservatives recently said membership has reached 678,708, a record for a Canadian political party. This compares with more than 269,000 people registered for the Conservative leadership race in 2020 – a record for the party at the time. Mr. Poilievre also received the most contributions of any leadership candidate in the second quarter. According to Elections Canada, she has raised just over $4 million, while Mr. Charest has nearly $1.4 million. Subscribers Only: Get exclusive political news and analysis by subscribing to Political information.
