Ontario has come "a long way" since the Liberals were elected four years ago, incumbent premier Dalton McGuinty said during a TV debate Thursday where he came under attack from the Conservatives and NDP.
In the only televised debate before the Oct. 10 election, McGuinty stood by his government's record, saying "we're getting real results."
The Liberal leader sustained aggressive criticism all night from Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory and NDP Leader Howard Hampton.
The debate got off to a fiery start as the first question of the night, which came from a viewer, centred around Tory's controversial plan to fund faith-based schools that opt into the public school system.
"I don't know why you wouldn't want to include those children,'' Tory replied to McGuinty. "I want to include those students.''
McGuinty, who shook his head during Tory's response, said the choice is between devoting energy to lowering class sizes and increasing test scores and graduation rates in public schools.
"Or you can plunge this province into a very controversial debate,'' he said to Tory, noting key details are missing from the plan.
"If all (religions are) going to be funded, we should know that. Have you looked at the number of faiths in the phone book?''
Hampton said Tory "has it wrong on this."
"It's a private decision and the community shouldn't pay for it,'' he said.
Hampton switched gears, saying the flawed education funding formula is the real issue. "We don't have, in many cases, educational assistants in our schools."
While the debate over religious schools funding heated up at times, polls suggest this issue has turned off the majority of voters.
The 90-minute debate boiled again when a viewer raised the issue of broken promises.
McGuinty tried to shake off his image as a promise-breaker. He said the controversial health premium he introduced after vowing not to raise taxes was a difficult decision.
"I made a tough choice, not because I wanted to. There was a $5.6 billion deficit (left behind by the Conservatives) and I desperately needed money to invest in our health care system, and I did."
Hampton said McGuinty should have known before introducing the levy that his government was facing a massive deficit.
"You must have been the only person in Ontario who didn't know the former Conservative government had a $5.6 billion deficit,'' he said. "As soon as you had a chance, you hit people with the largest tax increase.''
Tory said McGuinty "kept so few of your promises, it's destroyed the credibility of politicians."
"You said you'd review the health tax in 2009. Now you've said 'we'll have the review, but it's going to stay,'" Tory said.
McGuinty, who stood behind the middle podium, came under relentless attack from both sides. He seemed to get angry at one point, saying the other leaders have for years been "attacking my integrity and calling me a liar in everything but name."
Tory pointed out that McGuinty failed to keep his promise by closing the province's coal-fired plants in 2007. McGuinty has said that target date has been pushed back to 2014.
"But we are the only government that has closed a coal plant," he said to Tory.
Hampton, who said his party's pressure helped raise Ontario's minimum wage, said the Liberal government has failed the poor.
"Your government is still clawing back on those low-income (families)," Hampton said.
McGuinty responded by saying in his last budget, he introduced the Ontario Child Benefit, which gives more than $1,000 to underprivileged families.
In response to the viewer's question on election promises, none of the leaders said they support recall legislation.
The leaders also sparred over topics including health care, the economy, public transit and tuition.
Opening, closing remarks
In a first in an Ontario election debate, the leaders answered questions submitted by residents that were videotaped.
In another first, the debate began with a videotaped statement from the leaders.
In his remarks, McGuinty discussed the decision health premium, saying "I knew people would be angry, but I still think it was the right call to make.''
Tory chose to feature the mother of an autistic child who accused McGuinty of breaking his promise to her and other families by not fully funding autism support in schools.
"We can do better than this," he said.
Hampton used a series of testimonials from people who have lost manufacturing jobs, workers who want an increase in the minimum wage and students who want a break on tuition.
In his closing remarks, McGuinty said "we've come a long way in four short years."
"We're getting real results" because the province has gone beyond cuts in conflicts at schools, he said.
McGuinty also said the Liberals are opening hospitals, hiring nurses, hiring doctors and protecting the environment.
Tory told voters he would "treat every tax dollar with respect" and make sure no one is left behind.
"If we want this province back on track, to have a strong role in Canada again ... it's time to put an end to politics as usual and have new, stronger leadership for Ontario," he said.
Hampton said McGuinty spent the night making "excuse after excuse for breaking his promises and letting working families down."
The NDP leader recapped his six-point platform, which includes raising the minimum wage, rolling back and freezing tuition fees, phasing out the health premium for some and reducing hospital wait times by improving home care.
"Six commitments by Howard Hampton you can count on, or six dozen more promises by Mr. McGuinty," he said.
After the debate, political pundits said the debate didn't feature any knockout punches.
Analysts said the three leaders appeared poised during their arguments and while delivering their promises, but said the performances likely won't sway many voters.
Recent polls put the Liberals in first place with 40 per cent support from decided voters. The Conservatives are in second place with 34 per cent, and the NDP is in third with 16 per cent.
With files from The Canadian Press
