HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia Conservatives stepped up their attacks on the New Democrats on Saturday as a quiet campaign for the June 9 election began to heat up in advance of a leaders' debate.
Following up on the RiskyNDP campaign his party launched a few months ago, deputy premier Angus MacIsaac slammed the NDP election platform, released last week, as having no credibility.
"It has more holes than a fishing net," said MacIsaac.
"Instead of giving Nova Scotians a clear direction, they are misleading voters with promises they can't deliver or hiding past commitments."
As an example, he cited a promise by NDP Leader Darrell Dexter to add 17 ER beds to the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax for under $5 million.
MacIsaac noted that the Conservative government was about to open 14 beds at the Halifax Infirmary at a cost of $21 million.
"Either Dexter's bed count is wrong, or the cost is wrong," he said of the party the Tories regard as their primary competition.
New Democrat Maureen MacDonald, who was at Tory campaign headquarters to listen to MacIsaac's remarks, called it an act of desperation.
"What's really disappointing is that Mr. MacIsaac himself is propagating half truths and untruths," said MacDonald, who is seeking re-election in a north-end Halifax seat.
MacDonald said they've heard it all before.
"It's not the first time they've done it. They'll say and do anything to stay in power."
MacDonald said the Tories weren't upfront about their own budget and all they are trying to do now is further mislead voters by slagging a party with a reasonable plan.
Both Premier Rodney MacDonald and Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil were campaigning in Cape Breton on Saturday while NDP Leader Darrell Dexter spent most of the day in the Annapolis Valley.
Dexter said his party, if elected, would subsidize travel and accommodation costs for patients requiring medical treatment not available in the province.
"The lack of support for travel and accommodations means patients who need specialized care outside Nova Scotia are having to fundraise, go into bankruptcy, or forego treatment," he said.
"This is a terrible burden on these patients and their families, who are already struggling to cope with very serious illnesses."
Dexter said the an NDP government would provide $750,000 a year to help patients travel out of the province for treatment, as part of its plan to reduce health care wait times.
McNeil promised to scrap gas regulation and its $10-million price tag if he wins the election.
"The economy of this province has been hampered for nearly three years by gas regulation and Rodney MacDonald," he said. "Businesses small and large across Nova Scotia have been facing a true competitive disadvantage because of this failed Conservative-adopted New Democratic policy."
McNeil said that gas prices in the province have continued to be some of the highest in the country despite regulation that began in July 2006. Also, more than 26 gas stations have been forced out of business, he added.
All three leaders are scheduled to meet in a televised debate on Tuesday night.
