On Monday, Paul Dewar went after Brian Topp. In an interview with the Globe, Mr. Topp returns the favour.

“My sense is that Paul Dewar does not have the ability to speak to French-speaking Quebeckers in their language, which in my view is something that the next leader must have,” Mr. Topp said, echoing concerns among many of the 58 NDP MPs from Quebec.

“It’s very hard to imagine how you can be … at the head of a party whose whole future at the moment turns on holding a big breakthrough in Quebec, when you cannot speak to French-speaking Quebeckers,” said Mr. Topp, who grew up in Quebec and now lives in Toronto.

Alice Funke reviews the maneuvering. Francoise Boivin wonders if the candidates have given in to the press gallery’s complaints.