It might also tell us something about MacKay (and O’Toole, whose French isn’t going to keep Yves-François Blanchet awake at night with worry). Stephen Harper, from Calgary by way of Leaside, knew he needed solid French skills because he wanted to run the country from the age of six months or thereabouts. MacKay didn’t seek office until his 30s, and left when he was 50. If either MacKay or O’Toole wins the leadership and doesn’t sharpen his skills considerably, we’ll learn how much Quebec holds it against him. And whether people outside Quebec are willing to vote for someone who doesn’t speak French much better than they do.

Source: National Post February 03, 2020 18:33 UTC