Economy, carbon tax and social issues: candidates face off at United Conservative Party leadership debate

• WATCH the entire debate on Facebook

United Conservative Party leadership candidates squared off for their first debate in Calgary on Wednesday night, offering their views on the carbon tax, defeating the NDP and balancing the provincial budget.

JasonKenney, Brian Jean, DougSchweitzerand JeffCallawayall took turns answering questions from debate moderator Dave Rutherford surrounding three main topicsthe economy, the Alberta resource sectorand conservatism.

The Alberta advantage

Manyof Rutherford's questions to the candidatesrevolved around the economy and how each potential leaderwould restore the province'seconomicedge, or "Alberta advantage."

All four candidates found common ground with their desire to scrap the carbon tax and move Alberta oil to market using pipelines.

Callaway said a focus on natural-gas production could help "jump-start the economy." He also spoke to the importance of finding ways to getAlberta's oil and gas to other markets, including his proposed plan to purchase the Port of Churchill in Churchill,Man.

Kenney said his "job number one" wouldbe restoring confidence in Alberta's economy by appointing a minister to "de-regulate" the province's oil and gas sectors. He also said there should be afocus on attracting new employers from the U.S. to create a "Silicon Valley North."

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Schweitzer said income tax relief would "get people investing again." He proposed a flat budget with no spending increases for the first three years.

Jean said he is in favour of removing a cap on oil and gas production, adding he knows "what job creators need" to help build the economy.

Thecandidates took aim at B.C. when discussinghow they would work to increase Alberta'sexportcapacity foroil, and attract investors tothe province.

Kenney said there would "be consequences" for any provinces that "violate the rule of law" and oppose pipelines to move Alberta's oil to market, if he is elected.

Conservativism

The economy aside, alarge portion of the debate questions revolved around how the candidates define being a conservative.

The question triggered debate onsocial issues, including thosefaced by members of theLGBTcommunity.

Schweitzerspoke toaccusations thatthe UCP is homophobic, calling thatdescription of the party "not fair" and sayingthat is "not what this party stands for."

More debates

The UCPwas formed when the oppositionWildroseand Progressive Conservative parties merged in the summer.

• UCP leadership candidates will face off in 5 debates

There will be four more debates in Edmonton, Red Deer, Fort McMurray and Lethbridge before party members pick a leader next month.

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