Some 14 Conservative leadership hopefuls crowd stage for debate in Moncton
MONCTON, N.B. — No fewer than 14 candidates crowded the stage in Moncton for the second official debate of the federal Conservative leadership race where they discussed a broad menu of issues ranging from the economy to crime to pipelines.
Stationed behind monogrammed podiums emblazoned with the party logo, the candidates began with a rapid-fire series of 30-second opening statements — many of them punctuated with mediocre French.
The leadership contenders were then asked about improving the criminal justice system before the questions turned to matters of infrastructure and economic growth — in particular the controversial Energy East pipeline project.
Michael Chong called for a strategy that would both reduce greenhouse gases and result in timely energy project approvals by way of a regulatory process that consults indigenous communities and addresses environmental concerns.