Conservative bilingual debate highlights language troubles

MONCTON, N.B.— No fewer than 14 candidates crowded the stage in Moncton for the second official debate of the federal Conservative leadership race, where they discussed a broad menu of issues ranging from the economy to crime to pipelines.

Stationed behind monogrammed podiums emblazoned with the party logo, the candidates began with a rapid-fire series of 30-second opening statements — many of them punctuated with mediocre French.

The leadership contenders were then asked about matters of infrastructure and economic growth — in particular the controversial Energy East pipeline project.

Michael Chong called for a strategy that would both reduce greenhouse gases and result in timely energy project approvals by way of a regulatory process that consults indigenous communities and addresses environmental concerns.

Lisa Raitt said Energy East construction should have already begun, and blamed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the delays. Rival Maxime Bernier said he would institute policies to encourage more privatesector investment.

Steven Blaney brandished what looked like a fuel bundle for a nuclear power plant while promoting his plan to develop and expand Canada’s nuclear energy industry.

Kellie Leitch, who supports Energy East, said she would allow Canada to diversify exports and broaden its energy economy. She has also released a five-point plan for cracking down on energy-project vandals.

Tuesday’s debate is the first bilingual exchange of the campaign, and only a handful of the candidates are fully proficient in both official languages. Bernier, Chong, Rick Peterson, Chris Alexander, Blaney, Andrew Saxton and Andrew Scheer are considered to be bilingual, while Raitt, Leitch, Deepak Obhrai and Brad Trost have trouble with French.