15.18°C Vancouver

Aug 4, 2022 12:45 AM - The Canadian Press

Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis skip Conservative leadership debate; Jean Charest criticises the decision

Share On
pierre-poilievre-and-leslyn-lewis-skip-conservative-leadership-debate-jean-charest-criticises-the-decision
The Conservative leadership candidates who decided to show up for the last official debate of the race began by reflecting on what they've heard from Canadians throughout the contest. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

The Conservative leadership candidates who decided to show up for the last official debate of the race began by reflecting on what they've heard from Canadians throughout the contest.

Former Quebec premier Jean Charest started his opening statement by commending candidates Scott Aitchison and Roman Baber for appearing at the event.

Pierre Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis decided to skip, a decision Charest compared to a fish not wanting to swim in the ocean.

Charest says Conservatives feel tired of losing federal elections and pitched himself as the only candidate who could change that record.

Latest news

BCOct 14, 2026

Suspect Sets Fire at Surrey Motel Lobby, Police Seek Public Help

A suspect allegedly set fire to the lobby of the Linda Vista Motel in Surrey on Tuesday morning after threatening staff, according to police. Surrey Police received a report of the incident at around 4:45 a.m. in the 6400-block of King George Boulevard. Police said a young man entered the motel lobby, threatened staff members and then deliberately started a fire. Surrey Fire Services quickly responded and extinguished the blaze. However, part of the motel lobby was damaged in the incident. No injuries were reported. According to the suspect description released by police, the man is believed t
BCOct 14, 2026

Bail Denied to Man Accused of Helping Tumbler Ridge School Shooting Suspect

A U.S. court has denied bail to James Cody Bryant, who is accused of helping the main suspect in the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School in British Columbia. During a hearing in a Seattle court on Tuesday, the judge ordered the 30-year-old to remain in custody. According to the FBI, Bryant communicated online with 18-year-old shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar for months through a social media platform, provided financial assistance and helped with several aspects of the attack, including weapon selection. He is also accused of conspiring to livestream the shooting. However, lawyers representing B
BCOct 14, 2026

Surrey Advance Voting Sees Record Turnout Ahead of Municipal Elections

Advance voting for Surrey’s municipal elections is witnessing a significant increase in voter participation, with today marking the third day and tomorrow the final day of advance polling. According to the latest figures, 15,391 people cast their ballots during the second round of advance voting on October 10. This surpassed the highest daily advance voting turnout recorded during the 2022 municipal elections, when 12,560 people voted on the final day. In comparison, 7,788 ballots were cast during the second round in 2022. Among Surrey’s 10 polling stations, Cloverdale Recreation Centre, F
AlbertaOct 14, 2026

More Than Half of Alberta Doctors Say They Would Leave if Province Separates from Canada

More than half of the doctors surveyed by the Alberta Medical Association say they would leave the province if Alberta separates from Canada. According to the association, the survey included 1,600 doctors, many of whom said they would move to another Canadian province or territory rather than continue practising in an independent Alberta. Meanwhile, only 15 per cent of respondents said they would stay in Alberta and continue practising if the province became an independent country. The survey comes as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government has proposed 10 ques
anita-anand-meets-jaishankar-and-modi-signals-improvement-in-canada-india-relations
CanadaOct 14, 2026

Anita Anand Meets Jaishankar and Modi, Signals Improvement in Canada-India Relations

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi. Speaking to Bloomberg, Anand said Canada’s relations with India have improved following several years of tensions. She added that both countries are on track to complete a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of the year. Addressing the forum, Anand emphasized the role of middle powers in reshaping the changing global order. She said countries could work together to addre

Related News