Leslyn Lewis joins Pierre Poilievre in skipping third Conservative leadership debate

OTTAWA — Leslyn Lewis has officially decided to skip out on the Conservative party’s next leadership debate. 

Her campaign says it informed the race’s organizing committee she will not attend the “all-candidate event” set for Aug. 3.

The five candidates vying to replace former leader Erin O’Toole have been told by the party they are expected to appear in Ottawa for a third and final official debate before results are revealed Sept. 10. 

Longtime MP Pierre Poilievre, the contest’s perceived front-runner, has announced on social media he won’t attend because he is focused on getting out the vote.