At the request of members of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), the Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) has announced a third official debate between the leadership candidates.

• To read also: Race for the leadership of the PCC: Jean Charest wants a 3rd official debate

An internal survey of members found that 65% of members were in favor of holding a third formal debate.

A communications officer for the party said in an email that the COEC made the decision at a meeting on Wednesday evening.

Details surrounding the debate, such as the date and language, are yet to be decided.

In reality, the candidates have already debated three times. The first debate, held by the Manning Center in Ottawa in May, however, was not “official” since it was not organized under the aegis of the CPC.

Candidate Jean Charest has repeatedly expressed his appetite for a third debate. He had suggested at the end of May that the third debate be held in the Maritimes and in both official languages.