The latest on the Conservative leadership debate in French at Laval

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LAVAL, what? – The candidates for the conservative leadership are facing each other, in French, in the second official debate of the race, which takes place in Laval, Qué.

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Here are the latest developments. All Eastern Times:

20:10

The candidates took the stage and began by describing one by one what legacy they wanted to leave behind as leaders.

Pierre Poilievre says he wants his legacy to be making Canada the freest country in the world, including making sure people don’t feel forced to get vaccinated and young people can afford a house.

Patrick Brown says he can win in urban areas, what the party needs, and has what it takes to build a party that can succeed in a general election.

Roman Baber, an independent member of the Ontario legislature, introduced himself to the crowd.

He says he knows that Canada is bilingual and has taken lessons, but still asked viewers to forgive his French.

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20:05

The Conservative Party leadership organizing committee announced before the debate began that it will announce the results of the leadership race at a downtown Ottawa convention center on September 10.

Party chairman Robert Batherson says it will be the first time since 2018 that members will meet at a national event.

The party held a convention in Halifax in 2018.

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19:50

House music rolled off the amps as conservatives of all ages began to take their seats ahead of tonight’s leadership debate.

Several hundred attendees, not wearing masks, packed the ballroom of the Chateau Royal venue north of Montreal, sitting between the television cameras and the stage.

The six contenders are scheduled to appear on their podiums at 8 p.m.

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7:30 pm

The Conservative leadership candidates filed for the only French-language debate of the race, which was held in a reception hall north of Montreal.

The suburban venue in Laval, Quebec, saw dozens of federal conservatives and spectators mingling in the lobby before all six contestants took the stage.

Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest greeted a handful of supporters with kisses, while Ontario MP Scott Aitchison chatted with party members amid each candidate’s registration booths.

Supporting the stage below the ballroom chandeliers were a bank of loudspeakers and 14 flags: six with the fleur-de-lis, eight with the maple leaf.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on May 25, 2022