By Canadian Press

Leslyn Lewis joins Pierre Poilievre in skipping third Conservative leadership debate

Jul 28, 2022 | 3:20 PM

OTTAWA — Leslyn Lewis has officially decided to skip out on the Conservative party’s next leadership debate. 

Her campaign says it informed the race’s organizing committee she will not attend the “all-candidate event” set for Aug. 3.

The five candidates vying to replace former leader Erin O’Toole have been told by the party they are expected to appear in Ottawa for a third and final official debate before results are revealed Sept. 10. 

Longtime MP Pierre Poilievre, the contest’s perceived front-runner, has announced on social media he won’t attend because he is focused on getting out the vote.

Lewis had expressed concerns about the need for another debate and in a recent open letter to the party asked whether it would cover topics including abortion and the World Economic Forum, issues she says members are inquiring about.

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Under Conservative rules, candidates who do not attend party debates will be fined $50,000.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2022.

The Canadian Press