5 of 6 Conservative leadership candidates open to another debate

Five out of six Conservative leadership contenders have expressedsupport fora third official debate, withthe perceived front-runner the sole holdout.

Leadership candidates Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, LeslynLewis, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchisonpublicly stated Wednesday that they'reopen to a third contest, but Pierre Poilievre hasn't weighed in yet.

The Party held two official debates in May, one in English and one in French. There was also an unofficial debate earlier in the month, hosted by the political advocacy groupCanada Strong &Free Network though Brown was absent.

Former Quebec premier Charest tweeted his support for a third official debateWednesday morning.

"I welcome the opportunity for another #CPCLDR debate on policy ideas. Every candidate should welcome the chance to engage further with our members," Charest tweeted.

He also asked hisfellow candidates if they'd join him on stage, and mostexpressed approval.

"Let's have another debate!" tweeted former Ontario MPP Baber.

"Canadians need to hear from us. But no Tom Clark this time," he added, expressing dissatisfaction with the moderator of the English debate, journalist Tom Clark.

Brown, the mayor of Brampton, said it's important that Conservative members get more insight into candidates' policies and ideas. In previous debates, candidates sparred over areas such as the rising cost of living, public health measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,climate change and foreign policy.

"I welcome and look forward to a third Conservative leadership debate," Brown said on Twitter.

"We need and the membership deserves a robust, transparent airing of policy positions and the various visions for the party's future in making up their minds on who is best to lead us going forward."

In a video posted to Twitter, Parry SoundMuskoka MP Aitchisonsaid a third debate would be a good way to speak to new party members.

Party sources toldCBCearlier this week that a record breaking number of members are expected to vote in the leadership race. The new leader will be announced Sept. 10.

"Thousands of Canadians across this country have joined our party, for the first time [for] many of them, and many of them don't know their leadership candidates so well," Aitchison said.

"So it'd be great to have a third debate on policy where we can talk about ideas that not only these new members of our party, but millions of Canadians across the country can hear."

HaldimandNorfolk MP Lewis also expressed support for a third official debate in a tweet but with a catch.

"I'm always open to any debate that involves honest dialogue and isn't just an opportunity for public mud-slinging," she said.Some commentators have found the debatesnotable for theirraucousness.

ButCarleton MP Pierre Poilievre, who is widely seen as the candidate to beat so far, has not joined the chorus.

A representative for Poilievre's campaign did not immediately respond to a CBCrequest for comment.

In a statement to CBC, Conservative Party President Robert Batherson said a decision on a third debate hasn't been made, but the party will take candidates'and members'thoughtsinto consideration.

"In mid-April 2022, the Conservative Party of Canada informed the leadership candidates that two official debates would be held in May and that we would reserve the right to schedule a third official debate in August," the statement reads.

"No decision on a third debate has been made at this time, but we are listening to Conservative Party members, including, but not limited to, the six leadership campaigns, on their views about hosting a third official debate."