PC, Liberal, NDP leaders all no-shows at Manitoba election 'leaders' debate

There was a provincial election "leaders'" debate hosted by Manitoba's public education organizations on Friday — but no leaders attended.

Organizers said invitations went out Dec. 23, 2015, to NDP Leader Greg Selinger, Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister and Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari.

"We have taken the approach that if other leaders were going to engage in debates, we would also do that," Bokhari said Friday as she held an event to promise emissions reductions at the same time the debate was scheduled. "We had it held. Nobody else wanted to confirm, so that's why we also did not."

The Liberals were represented by Charleswood candidate Paul Brault, the NDP sent Fort Garry-Riverview candidate James Allum and the PCs had Steinbach candidate Kelvin Goertzen at the event.

The Liberal leader placed the blame squarely on the Tory boss.

"It's tough when the other party doesn't want to do it. We've said yes to every single debate. Brian Pallister seems to not want to debate," Bokhari said.

Federal Conservative candidates skipped multiple debates during the 2015 federal election campaign.

• Tory candidate Candice Bergen ditches debate and plans her own
• Gordon Giesbrecht, Winnipeg South MP, turns down U of M debate 'at any time'

PC Leader Brian Pallister has personally committed to four debates. He joined a debate on private radio station CJOB in Winnipeg on March 14.

Pallister's campaign team confirmed he will also attend the Brandon Chamber of Commerce debate on April 7, a Winnipeg television consortium debate that will be broadcast on CBC Television April 12 and a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce debate on April 14.

At a campaign announcement Friday where Pallister committed to slashing ambulance fees in half, the Tory Leader said he was doing his best to juggle announcements, his tour and personal obligations.

• Manitoba PCs promise ambulance fee cut

"We have the most ambitious tour, I'm told, in the history of Manitoba campaigns. I'll be personally travelling over 7,000 kilometres," Pallister said.

He plans to campaign in 56 of the 57 Manitoba constituencies over the next month, missing Kewatinook, where he said he travelled just prior to the campaign launch.

Pallister acknowledged some special interest groups hoping to hold leaders' debates will be disappointed.

"I love the debates, right. You know, I love them, I do, and I enjoy them, and I would like to be at all of them, but I can't. I'm not two guys. So I can't be at all of them and be out there helping encourage our people," he said.

Pallister said the PC agenda would be well presented and defended at Friday's education debate by veteran Steinbach Tory Kelvin Goertzen.

"We've endeavoured to have representatives of our party at every possible debate that we can, because we want our plan out there, and we want people to know about it," he said. 

The Manitoba NDP provided CBC with the dates of 10 forums or debates NDP Leader Greg Selinger has confirmed he will attend.

Friday at the exact time of the education debate, Selinger was announcing enhanced education funding, if re-elected.

• NDP promises to boost school funding at or above the rate of economic growth

"I've always been available to the teachers in terms of interviews. We've worked closely with them to ensure they get the kind of support they need to do proper training and professional development," Selinger said, defending his choice to make a promise instead of attend the debate.

"We're here today because today is important to commit to consistent funding."

Norm Gould, the president of the Manitoba Teachers Society, was diplomatic when asked for reaction to the leaders sending representatives to the debate he helped organize.

"There is representation and we're certainly optimistic with that. The leader of each of the parties is certainly busy, and we don't interpret this as a slight in any way, shape or form to this event."