OTTAWA - The NDP leadership candidates are conceding they need to brush up on their French language skills as they face off for the campaign's first debate in Montreal.

The debate began with a plan to have 60 per cent of the debate take place in French, but most has been in English.

Documentarian Avi Lewis and Alberta MP Heather McPherson are speaking the most French, while union leader Rob Ashton, social worker Tanille Johnston and organic farmer Tony McQuail are working it in.

Topics include how to win back the working class, advancing reconciliation, the cost of living crisis and how to build support in Quebec.

The candidates agree the party needs to do a better job of reconnecting with workers and building a stronger, grassroots base, but have their own ideas on how to do it.

The

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