The hundreds of activists who turned out for the occasion – and who broke party rules by applauding or booing their favorites despite repeated warnings from the moderator – witnessed a real group fire against the MP for Carlton.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has been particularly belligerent towards Pierre Poilievre, going on the offensive whenever he can, as has former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, more in the dark. ease in the language of Miron than the other candidates.
The member for Carleton was notably attacked for having declared on May 11, during the official debate in English, that he would replace the Governor of the Bank of Canada.
He has also been criticized for promoting cryptocurrency, for having supported the truckers who paralyzed Parliament Hill this winter, and for not being clear whether he would challenge the Quebec State Secularism Act ( better known as “Bill 21”) before the Supreme Court of Canada.
« How to trust someone who talks to them about bitcoinwho wants to fire the Governor of the Bank of Canada and who, on Bill 21, is unable to give an honest answer tonight? »
Even Leslyn Lewis, not comfortable in French, accused Mr. Poilievre of being in the potatoes
on the question of digital money
– a very Quebec expression which, in the mouth of the member for Haldimand—Norfolk, caused some laughter in the room and on stage.
Laurence Martin’s report
Photo : Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
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But the main interested party did not allow himself to be imposed. And he was scathing, particularly towards Jean Charest. I remember the Charbonneau commission
he threw at her. Truckers don’t need any lessons from you about law and order.
From 2003 to 2012, when he ruled Quebec, Mr. Charest also increased the QST, the gas tax, set up a carbon market as well as a health contribution, also listed Mr. Poilievre – initiatives contrary to the conservative creed, according to him.
The inevitable “Law 96”
Unsurprisingly, the Quebec bill on the reform of Law 101, which was adopted Tuesday by the National Assembly, was discussed on Wednesday by several candidates who did not hesitate to speak out against it.
Patrick Brown was the first to describe the CAQ reform of the Charter of the French language as not right
while candidate Scott Aitchison claimed that this one is bad
et uniforms
the Quebecois.
Roman Baber is the one who has gone the furthest in promising to use all legal means
to counter the effects of “Law 96”.
Pierre Poilievre, for his part, did not take the opportunity, during the segment on official languages, to make a clear statement on the subject. Canadians have the right to receive all federal government services in both official languages
he just said.
As for Jean Charest, he let it be known on Wednesday evening that a government under his leadership would rule on Bill 96 before the Supreme Court of Canada if called upon to do so – just as he would on the subject of the 21,” he said.
Wednesday’s contest featured the six candidates certified by the party, namely Pierre Poilievre – considered the favorite –, Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, Leslyn Lewis, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison. Under the rules of the race, all certified candidates must participate in the official debates organized by the PCC.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
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Lasting two hours, Wednesday’s debate was moderated by economist and entrepreneur Marc-Olivier Fortin. It was held at the Royal Castle, a reception hall on the Boulevard du Souvenir.
Ten themes were discussed: immigration; inflation; public safety; health; the strategy to adopt to win more seats in Quebec; official languages; environment and energy; trade and supply chains; foreign policy; and the future of the party.
It was the first time that the aspiring leaders debated in French, a difficult exercise for some candidates, including Leslyn Lewis – who, as in 2020, had to stick to his notes –, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison.
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The debate should theoretically be followed by press briefings with each of the candidates. But only Jean Charest and Patrick Brown finally lent themselves to the game.
The two candidates – who at times appeared to lead a coordinated attack on Pierre Poilievre on Wednesday evening – notably had to deny once again having signed a non-aggression pact, contrary to what the Toronto Star revealed last March.
10 more days to recruit members
Candidates now have until June 3 to sell membership cards from the PCCafter which it will be too late to register for the postal vote which will take place this summer.
The winner will be elected by ranked ballot. His identity will be revealed on September 10. The event will take place at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, it was announced Wednesday.
A third and final official game could be organized in the meantime, at the beginning of August, according to the rules established by the Organizing Committee for the election of the leader. But there is little chance that other debates will take place outside this framework.
A first exercise – in which all the candidates had participated, except Patrick Brown – was held on May 5 during the 14th Canada Strong & Free Network networking conference. Jean Charest was notably booed after describing the convoy of truckers as “illegal”.
Another debate was to be organized by the Independent Press Gallery of Canada, next Monday, but it was canceled, only three candidates having promised to participate.
More details will follow.
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