Tory leadership hopefuls to test their language skills at first bilingual debate
OTTAWA — The language skills of Conservative leadership candidates will be put to the test Tuesday night as they take the stage for a bilingual debate in Moncton, N.B., a campaign milestone expected to start narrowing the field of contenders.
“I think what people in the Conservative party will be looking for is who actually can and can’t speak French,” said Tim Powers, a Tory strategist.
“I don’t think you can win this job if you don’t do that,” said Powers, vice-chairman of Summa Strategies.
All 14 of the people who have officially registered as candidates in the race to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper as party leader will participate in the debate, where questions will be asked and answered in both English and French without simultaneous translation.