Conservative candidate Jean-Charest says his focus in the race is on signing new party members and presenting political proposals, rather than attracting large crowds to rallies.
Some observers have questioned the health of Charest’s campaign in recent days after seeing photos from some of his campaign events showing only a few dozen attendees. The considered favorite, Pierre Poalievre, attracted thousands of supporters to some of his rallies.
“Didn’t Mr. Bernie have big crowds, too?” Charest said, referring to the former hope of the Conservative leadership, which is founding the People’s Party of Canada.
“Now, as far as I know, Mr Bernie has no place in the House of Commons, neither he nor anyone else in his party.
“Don’t be fooled. It’s about membership.”
In two separate cases last week, CBC reporters asked Charest’s campaign to take cameras for upcoming campaign events. They were told that his events were for party members and were not open to the media.
Meanwhile, candidates Poilievre, Leslyn Lewis and Roman Baber sent out media advice for some of their campaign rallies and invited reporters, photographers and film crews to attend. Candidate Patrick Brown did not send media advice.
CBC News asked Charest if the decision to close his events to the general public was related to questions about the size of his audience.
Jean Charest spoke to his supporters on Thursday, March 24, 2022, when he launched part of Quebec from his campaign for the leadership of the Conservative Party in Laval, Quebec. (Ryan Remiorz / Canadian Press)
The former Quebec prime minister said he was holding public events. Charest’s communications director later issued a statement saying media representatives could attend his meetings.
“All of Mr. Charest’s member events are open to the public, but members and new members are the focus and priority of these events,” said Michelle Coates Mater.
“These events are open to the media. We have had local media attend previous events and they are welcome to continue to do so, but there is no availability for interviews or clashes during these events as we do not want to take time away from members. “
Charest events are usually posted on Facebook and invitations are emailed to potential participants, Coates Mater said.
Charest presents politics, makes headlines
While the media presence of his events is limited, Charest certainly managed to get into the headlines during the race.
He has been repeatedly interviewed by national media. He drew particular media attention when he said Poilievre should be “disqualified” from becoming prime minister for supporting an Ottawa lawmaker in supporting a convoy of trucks protesting against vaccine mandates and occupying downtown Ottawa for weeks. .
Charest also launched a series of policy proposals – to increase the role of the private sector in health care, to increase military funding and to help more families pay for childcare.
All candidates run their campaigns in their own way, Charest said. He also pointed out that the leaders in the last two Conservative leadership races – Bernie and former Cabinet Minister Peter McKay – have lost.
“I am the outsider in this campaign. I am glad to be the outsider. I have been that all my life,” he said.
“I have never been involved in winning elections. I am winning election campaigns and I will win this leadership.”
Federal Conservative nominee Pierre Poalievre speaks at a rally against carbon taxes in Ottawa on March 31, 2022 (Patrick Doyle / The Canadian Press)
Poilievre, meanwhile, welcomed media attention to recent events, which attracted a large audience.
He also published some rules, with a special focus on improving access to housing.
Poilievre called on Canada to accept cryptocurrencies and said it would seek to build more pipelines, repeal legislation it considers an anti-energy sector, and make the CBC free.
The 42-year-old embraced social media to deliver his message, but was more selective in accepting interviews with journalists.
During the campaign, he spoke with the mainstream media in Quebec, but in English-speaking Canada, his interviews with national media were limited to those with conservative tendencies.
Conservative Party of Canada candidate Leslin Lewis speaks during the English debate in Toronto on Thursday, June 18, 2020 (Tijana Martin / Canadian Press)
In his second leadership campaign, Lewis also toured the country and received questions from supporters.
Known for her socially conservative views, which include restricting access to abortion, Lewis has posted a handful of blog posts that address specific issues.
She said she wanted to pass a law to protect parental rights, saying “many parents are afraid to even talk to their children about certain topics”.
Lewis also recently objected to Canada’s signing of a World Health Organization pandemic preparedness agreement. She claims that in this way Canada will renounce its sovereignty in the field of health care.
Speaking this week at the CBC’s Power & Politics, Lewis was repeatedly pressured to explain how she could claim that Canada risks relinquishing its sovereignty when the document is not yet ready.
Patrick Brown announces candidacy for federal Conservative leadership at a rally in Brampton, Ont, on Sunday, March 13, 2022 (Chris Young / The Canadian Press)
Brown seems to be using a lower approach to competition. He works relentlessly with phones and does between ten and 12 events every day, said campaign co-chair and MP Michel Rempel Garner.
These events are not organized as a typical election rally, she said.
“The structure is to get people to register as captains for membership sales and then encourage them to nominate a number of people they think they can bring into the party,” she said.
Brown recently tweeted photos of himself from a meeting in Calgary with the Nepalese community, a speech at a Canadian Arab dinner and a meeting with members of Regina’s Muslim community.
“If we want to be a party that is ready to rule, our membership must reflect the diversity of Canada,” said Rempel Garner.
Brown has conducted several interviews with national media.
The public will have the opportunity to compare the approaches of the various candidates when the party holds two official debates next month. The English debate is scheduled for May 11 in Edmonton, and the French debate will take place on May 25 in the suburbs of Montreal Laval.
The final vote to elect a new leader will take place on September 10th.
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