CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADERSHIP DEBATES ON JUNE 17, 18

The first debates of the Conservative leadership race will be held June 17 and 18 in Toronto. The French-language debate will be Wednesday, June 17, with the English-language debate to follow the next night. Both debates will be livestreamed on the party’s website; neither will have an in-person audience. Four candidates have qualified to take part: Erin O’toole, Peter Mackay, Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan. The debates will be moderated by the co-chairs of the leadership election organizing committee, Dan Nowlan and Lisa Raitt. The public can submit questions for the candidates by video until June 10 at www.cpc-leadership2020.ca. “While traditionally we’d like to have these debates in different parts of the country, the ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19 makes this the most sensible way to hold these debates,” Raitt said in a statement. The party says it will be taking measures “to ensure social distancing is respected.” Voting for a leader to replace Andrew Scheer will take place by mail-in ballot this summer, scheduled to conclude on Aug. 21.