Clark, Horgan spar in first provincial election debate

The gloves are off.

In the first leader's debate of the 2017 British Columbiaprovincial election, B.C. Liberal leader Christy Clark and NDP Leader John Horgansparred early and often on issues ranging from housing to the fentanyl crisis to tolls.

The debate, airing onNews1130 radio, opened with a back and forth betweenHorgan and Clark on affordability in Metro Vancouver. Clark respondedto a question on home ownership by touting her government's new policy to provide interest-free loans up to up to $37,500to first time home buyers who qualify for mortgages.

"It is really hard for first time home buyers in this market to scrape together that down payment they need," said Clark. "I think we all want our kids to afford the homes they live in, rather than be a renter the rest of their lives."

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Horgan fired back, interrupting the premier to question why she believes renters are 'second class citizens'.

"That is so disrespectfulto people who have spent their entire lives in rental housing because they can't afford anything else," said Horgan is response. "We have one of the lowest minimum wages in the country. The economy is not working for everybody."

'Unicorns' for everyone

Green Party leader Andrew Weaver held back during many of Clark and Horgan'sskirmishes, but did attack the governing Liberals on the LNG industry failing toboom.

"[Clark] promised unicorns in everyone's backyards," said Weaver.

The debate was at times combative. Horgan stepped in to cut Clark off on issues including disability benefits and the government's action on the fentanyl crisis. At one point, while arguing withClark over the cost of the NDP platform, declaredthe B.C. Liberalswere putting forward 'alternative facts'.

Clark focuses on economy

Clark, wedged between Weaver and Horganon the set, spent a large chunk of the debate staying on her message around the economy.

"You can't afford anything if the government is taking more money out of your pocket and if you don't have a job. We want to make sure we lower taxes for people," said Clark. "Life does not become more affordable when you double the carbon tax, Mr.Horganand when you roll MSP into income tax."

Listeners also sent in questions that ranged from road congestion to disability assistance to child care.

On a $10 a day child care plan, Horgan acknowledgedthe plan will take 10 years to fully implement but will get more people working.

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In response, Clark said Horgan wouldn't deliver the NDP's daycare plan until most kids in daycare now "have a driver's license."

Weaver, Clark and Horgan will have their secondand final all leader's debatenext Wednesday on April 26, as part of a media consortium that will air on CBC television.