The Conservative Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) has decided to hold another sanctioned leadership debate. .But frontrunner Pierre Poilievre has already said he won't be participating..In a statement, his campaign team noted he had already been in three debates.."It's not the campaign's fault that the Party's Edmonton debate was widely recognized as an embarrassment," the statement read..“The Ayes have it!” said the Conservatives in a Thursday tweet. .“Thanks to the 24,000 members who responded to our survey, voting overwhelmingly (65%) for more action.”.The Conservatives put out a survey on Friday asking if party members wanted to have a third sanctioned leadership debate. .READ MORE: Conservatives looking into holding third official leadership debate.“Ballots will be going out to our newer members soon and this debate would be aimed at them,” said Conservative LEOC chair Ian Brodie. .The Conservatives held two official debates before the membership sign-up deadline. One debate was in English in Edmonton, and the other was in French in Laval, QC. .READ MORE: Conservative leadership contenders face off in disappointing first debate.Another debate was held at the Canada Strong and Free Conference, which saw Conservative leadership candidates Poilievre and Jean Charest trade jabs. .READ MORE: Poilievre and Charest come out swinging at first Conservative leadership debate.Charest and Conservative leadership candidates Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison promised to fight Western alienation during the Western Standard's leadership debate. .READ MORE: Conservative leadership candidates touch on western issues during Western Standard debate.Charest, Baber, and Aitchison joined Western Standard publisher Derek Fildebrandt for the debate, which resembled a fireside chat. Poilievre and Leslyn Lewis didn't attend and Patrick Brown had been kicked out by then..“The eight most terrifying words an Albertan can hear are, 'I'm from Ottawa and I'm here to help,'” said Fildebrandt. .Charest communications director Michelle Coates Mather welcomed the debate.."Conservative Party of Canada Members deserve the opportunity to learn more about the substance of ideas each candidate has to offer," said Mather.."Mr. Charest will never shy away from an opportunity to debate his policies and how they will translate to electoral victory.".Aitchison campaign communications director Ben Smith said this candidate will attend.."Scott welcomes the opportunity to engage with Canadians and the nearly 700,000 CPC members to present actionable ideas that will end the housing crisis and make life more affordable by ending supply management and the carbon tax," said Smith..Canadian Press reported Poilievre will not attend.
