Reflecting on the blows traded during the first unofficial Conservative leadership debate, Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenny said it was important for all candidates to remember their work in uniting the party.
In an interview with CTV’s Question Period on Sunday, Kenny said it was a “brutal” first meeting, with candidates trying to cut their ground on controversial issues such as vaccines, pandemic blocking and political polarization.
“My advice to all candidates would be to remember … whoever wins, you must unite the party at the end of it and try to be respected,” he said.
“Okay, I’m thinking of drawing political contrasts and some contrasts in the minutes, but I think my advice would be to do that, knowing you need to reunite the party.”
On May 5, five of the six candidates took part in a debate organized by the Canadian Strong and Free Network, a political advocacy group founded by Preston Manning, a former leader of the Reform Party of Canada.
Patrick Brown was not present.
All six contenders will face off for the party’s first approved English debate on May 11 in Edmonton, Altai, hosted by former political journalist Tom Clark. They will meet again on May 25 for the official French debate in Laval, QC.
Kenny said Canadians are more interested in hearing candidates’ views on key policy issues than attacks on other competitors.
A hot topic on May 5 was access to abortion and attracting the social conservative base more widely.
Jean Charest said the party faction was “part of our family and they must be respected”, although he voted in favor of his election.
Lewis, who has vowed to ban gender-based abortions, has accused Poilievre of avoiding media coverage of abortions in recent days following an initial draft ruling showing that the US Supreme Court will overturn Rowe v. Wade.
“He can’t just be finance minister if he wants to be prime minister,” she said.
Poalievr said earlier in the week that a government led by him would not introduce or pass laws restricting abortion.
The topics for the two official debates will be sent to the candidates one week before the event.
With a file from The Canadian Press.
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