Conservative leadership hopefuls will face off in Saskatoon tonight in the first debate between candidates vying to become the next leader of the Official Opposition.

The 12 candidates include Saskatoon-University MP Brad Trost and Regina-Qu'Appelle MP Andrew Scheer, who is also the former Speaker of the House of Commons.

The back and forth will unfold at the Delta Bessborough starting at 6 p.m. CST.

It will also be livestreamed on the party's website.

Saskatoon-University MP Brad Trost will be one of 12 candidates at the first Conservative Party leadership debate in Saskatoon on Wednesday. (Liam Richards/Canadian Press)

Reverberations from Donald Trump's election victory in the U.S. might be felt at tonight's debate after one of the candidates, Kellie Leitch, issued a statement saying Trump's message needs to be delivered in Canada as well.

CBC parliamentary bureau reporter John Paul Tasker told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning the candidates would be jockeying to make a good impression.

"A good performance will help big time with the money. Party members usually give very generously if they feel like they're backing a winner," said Tasker.

"Whereas a bad performance, well it's early on, it could lead to an early departure from the race."

Regina-Qu'Appelle MP Andrew Scheer is campaigning to become leader of the Official Opposition. (Estelle Cote-Sroka/CBC)

The candidates

Chris Alexander

Maxime Bernier

Steven Blaney

Michael Chong

Kellie Leitch

Daniel Lindsay

Deepak Obhrai

Erin O'Toole

Lisa Raitt

Andrew Saxton

Andrew Scheer

Brad Trost

The next leader of the Official Opposition will be selected in May.