Conservative members have been receiving their voting ballots in the mail for the last few weeks. Many voters have already submitted their votes in the mail.
Problem is, another Conservative leadership debate has suddenly been planned for August. So what options are there for voters that already submitted their votes in the mail in July!?
I’m proud to vote for @PierrePoilievre for #CPCLdr!
I know Pierre will stand by his promises. He is a person of integrity.Join us! Vote for Pierre Poilievre as your #1 #CPC ballot choice, and help make him the next Prime Minister of Canada! 🇨🇦#Pierre4PM#MembersVote pic.twitter.com/ekyZBWBbF4
— Sen. Denise Batters (@denisebatters) July 13, 2022
Pierre Poilievre’s campaign responded that will not be attending, risking a $50,000 fine.
Jenni Byrne, a senior member of Poilievre’s team, released a scathing statement on Twitter explaining his decision after the party announced earlier in the day it would proceed with a debate in early August.
Statement from the Pierre Poilievre campaign re: LEOC’s decision to propose another leadership election debate pic.twitter.com/HdksWKsqYX
— Jenni Byrne (@Jenni_Byrne) July 21, 2022
Conservative party rules spell out candidates must participate in official leadership debates or face an “automatic $50,000 penalty.”
“Participation is mandatory and no substitution will be permitted,” according to the rules.
Poilievre’s campaign goes on to attack fellow leadership candidate Jean Charest’s repeated calls for a third debate, saying the ex−Quebec premier couldn’t draw the same crowd sizes as Poilievre during the spring when candidates were selling memberships to supporters.
“That is why he wants another debate — to use Pierre’s popularity with members to bring out an audience he can’t get on his own.”
In response, Charest’s campaign accused Poilievre of preferring to craft messages on social media “than answer questions in real time.”
“Jean has NEVER shied away from answering tough questions,” it reads, adding it felt the format of the French−language debate held in Laval, Que., was constructive.
Leslyn Lewis, a social conservative MP from Ontario who is also in the running, said party members had a chance to see leadership candidates present their visions for the country in the two earlier debates, which remain online.
“I am not sure what value we are giving to members through a hastily schedule debate at this time,” she said in a statement.
— Dr. Leslyn Lewis (@LeslynLewis) July 21, 2022
Like Poilievre, Lewis underscored it’s an important stage of the race for candidates to meet members and says she has a jam−packed schedule of events.
“I have found that the concerns of everyday Canadians vary greatly from the high−level political questions we get asked during official debates,” she said.