Four notable moments from the French Conservative leadership debate
Conservative Party of Canada leadership hopefuls Scott Aitchison, Roman Baber, Patrick Brown, Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis, and Pierre Poilievre squared off in the second official party debate on Wednesday night in Laval, Que.
Contrary to some expectations, given the revived conversation over firearm laws in the wake of a mass shooting in Texas, there was no substantial talk about gun control during the debate. Instead, the candidates did seek to differentiate themselves on inflation, official languages, and foreign policy.
From a few fiery exchanges on hot policy files, to the candidates' ranging French proficiency, here are some key moments from the French-language debate.
FIERY BILL 96 & BILL 21 EXCHANGES
Unsurprisingly, two controversial Quebec bills, Bill 96 and Bill 21, consumed a large chunk of debate on Wednesday night.
The former, which seeks to affirm that the only official and common language of Quebec is French and ensure that French is used exclusively in workplaces and municipalities, was adopted by the National Assembly on Tuesday. The latter bans several types of public workers, including teachers and police officers, from donning religious symbols while on the job and was passed in 2019.
Brown argued that Bill 96 goes against Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He and Charest accused Poilievre of changing his opinion of Bill 21 based on who he’s speaking to, sometimes supporting it, sometimes opposing it.
Poilievre refuted this, stating he has consistently opposed the legislation and would vote against it if tabled in the House of Commons.
Charest said the federal government shouldn’t take a neutral stance on this.
Justice Minister David Lametti told reporters on Wednesday that Ottawa is prepared to intervene in both cases, when the bills reach the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile Lewis said Bill 96 is a “bad” bill and “not a good approach” but added that learning the French language has been a joy personally and the next leader of the party should at the very least commit to learning it.
Baber and Aitchison also voiced their concern with the bills.
A LOT OF NOTE-READING
Speaking of language, it was very clear that not all six candidates have the same French proficiency.
While Charest and Poilievre were largely able to engage without looking down, making points and stating their position while facing the opponent they were speaking to, throughout the night it was common to see Aitchison, Lewis and Baber consulting their notes during their responses and not getting in on as much of the open debate portions.
Brown found himself somewhere in the middle, holding his own in French exchanges, while also at times referring to his notes.
During the opening, Baber acknowledged his lacking French skills, asking for some forgiveness.
He said he knows how important it is for the prime minister to be able to speak both English and French, and said that for the last three months—and not years as the translator communicated to viewers’ —he's been taking French lessons nearly every morning.
Then, when the topic of official languages came up, Lewis said that she's committed to continue learning, and that the process so far has been, according to the English translator, "a wonderful experience."
MORE ATTACKS, ACCUSATIONS OF FLIP-FLOPPING
Wednesday's event was the last scheduled debate the party has planned for this leadership race, though it has suggested it's possible another could be convened in the coming months.
Not taking any chances, the French-language debate saw the candidates take the chances they could to differentiate themselves from their opponents. And this time, there was no sad trombone buzzer to stop the candidates from veering off the question at hand. This resulted in more pointed attacks coming from the candidates.
At various points during the night, both Charest and Brown made efforts to direct their critiques at Poilievre and his positions.
At one point, Brown accused him of flip-flopping on his position on the carbon tax, and then later on he suggested his opposition to vaccine mandates has only really become his position since running for leadership, stating that during the pandemic he tweeted thousands of times but not about COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which Poilievre refuted.
Poilievre did not hold his punches either though, suggesting Brown could not be trusted citing his time as Ontario PC leader, and going hard after Charest's record as Quebec premier. Few, if any, of the evening's attacks were directed at the other three candidates on stage.
CHINA RELATIONS AND BANNING HUAWEI
Contenders also got an opportunity to share how they believe Canada should navigate its precarious relationship with China, including whether they, like the Liberal government, would ban Huawei from Canada’s 5G rollout.
Brown went first, arguing that exporting clean energy and supporting China in lowering its emissions is one way to improve relations with the superpower, which he says have been fractured since the Harper government days. It was yet another way to sneak in a subtle jab at Poilievre who served as a cabinet minister for the former prime minister.
Brown also accused Poilievre of being the only contender with the support of a Huawei executive, an apparent reference to Vice President of Corporate Affairs Alykhan Velshi. However, Velshi denied this, telling CTVNews.ca that he is not supporting any specific Conservative leadership campaign.
Poilievre, meanwhile, said Canada can both balance economic interests and defend our democratic values and principles when confronting China. Similar to the English-language debate, he called on Charest to unveil how much he was paid to work as a consultant for Huawei after leaving provincial politics.
His line of questioning garnered a roaring applause from the audience.
Charest fought back, noting, as he has in the past, that he didn’t work on any issue with the company that would have jeopardized Canada’s national security interests. He also touted his involvement in helping to free Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor from detention in China.
Returning to Canada’s relationship with China, Charest argued that Canada ought to completely review its security legislation having to do with telecommunications.
He also suggested that Canada wasn’t invited to join the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity because of its poor standing globally. “We’re missing in action,” he said.
Correction
This article has been updated to reflect that according to Baber’s campaign, he has been learning French for the last three months, and not three years.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Local Spotlight
Twin Alberta Ballet dancers retire after 15 years with company
Alberta Ballet's double-bill production of 'Der Wolf' and 'The Rite of Spring' marks not only its final show of the season, but the last production for twin sisters Alexandra and Jennifer Gibson.
B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book
A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.
Here's how one of Sask.'s largest power plants was knocked out for 73 days, and what it took to fix it
A group of SaskPower workers recently received special recognition at the legislature – for their efforts in repairing one of Saskatchewan's largest power plants after it was knocked offline for months following a serious flood last summer.
Quebec police officer anonymously donates kidney, changes schoolteacher's life
A police officer on Montreal's South Shore anonymously donated a kidney that wound up drastically changing the life of a schoolteacher living on dialysis.
Canada's oldest hat store still going strong after 90 years
Since 1932, Montreal's Henri Henri has been filled to the brim with every possible kind of hat, from newsboy caps to feathered fedoras.
Road closed in Oak Bay, B.C., so elephant seal can cross
Police in Oak Bay, B.C., had to close a stretch of road Sunday to help an elephant seal named Emerson get safely back into the water.
B.C. breweries take home awards at World Beer Cup
Out of more than 9,000 entries from over 2,000 breweries in 50 countries, a handful of B.C. brews landed on the podium at the World Beer Cup this week.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.