AUGUST 2, 2016

Ottawa, ON – Today, the Conservative Party’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee announced the first two host cities and dates for leadership debates.

The first debate of the leadership campaign will be on November 10th in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and will be an English debate. The second debate will be held on December 6th, 2016 in Moncton, New Brunswick, and will be a bilingual debate. Debates will be streamed live online for all members and all Canadians to see.

“The Conservative Party will host several debates across Canada varying in English, French, and equally bilingual formats to ensure as many Canadians as possible have a chance to see what all of our candidates have to offer,” said Daniel Nowlan, chair of the Leadership Election Organizing Committee. “Choosing the next Conservative leader will be an important part of Canada’s future, and we’re pleased to provide Conservatives, and all Canadians, the opportunity to inform their choice with these debates.”

There will be five party sanctioned debates total that all official leadership candidates will be expected to attend beginning November 10th in Saskatoon with the last one tentatively scheduled for April 2017.

The debate formats, exact locations, and further timing details will be announced at a later date.

All debates will be open for Conservative Party members to attend.

The Conservative Party Leadership election will be on May 27th, 2017, and only current members of the Conservative Party of Canada will be eligible to vote. To ensure eligibility, members and those interested in becoming members are encouraged to call membership services at 1-866-808-8407 or visit conservative.ca.

The rules for the Conservative Party’s leadership election can be found online.