Conservative leadership debate in disarray after Lewis, MacKay back out
Jul 29, 2020
A new media organization's plan to host all four Conservative leadership candidates for a debate Wednesday was thrown into disarray when two of the contenders dropped out.
Leslyn Lewis announced hours before the event that her doctor had ordered her to stay away because she is battling an ear infection and has a fever, though she has tested negative for COVID-19.
Shortly after, Peter MacKay declared he wouldn't go either, saying it wouldn't be fair if only three of the four candidates were onstage, and called for the event to be rescheduled.
The event was organized by the newly formed Independent Press Gallery of Canada, run by Candice Malcolm, a conservative columnist and analyst.
The organization was set up this year, and journalists who wish to join must sign a declaration that they will not accept any government funding and sign onto a statement of journalistic ethics and principles.
Organizers decided to go forward with back-to-back "fireside chats" with the two remaining candidates, Erin O'Toole and Derek Sloan.
The "show must go on," Malcolm said in her opening remarks as she took a direct swipe at MacKay.
MacKay criticized for decision
Lewis is ill and organizers wish her well, Malcolm said, but MacKay, who lives in Toronto, made a choice.
"Leadership is about resiliency, courage and trust, and voters can judge for themselves what they think of Peter MacKay's last-minute decision to renege on his commitment and abandon this event," she said.
