NDP and Liberal campaigns criss-cross province first week

Leaders from the B.C. Liberal Party and the B.C. NDP travelled far and wide across the province, announcing and re-affirming economic promises, while Conservative and Green leaders stayed closer to home and focused on theirown ridings.

During the first week of campaigning, B.C. Liberal Leader Christy Clark touched down in10 ridings from the south coast toB.C.'s northeast, and back, focusing on her party's message of fiscal responsibility.

In the north, Clark re-iterated her party plan for a provincial prosperity fund that would collect revenuesfrom futureliquefiednatural gas exports.

• Christy Clark talks up natural gas in northeastern B.C.
• Christy Clark promises more money for rural communities

For the weekend, Clark returned to the Lower Mainland for large communityevents. OnSaturday, she met with members of Surrey's Sikh community at the Vaisakhi parade and festival and, on Sunday, Clark ran the10-kilometre Vancouver Sun Run.

• Party leaders go politicking at Surrey Vaisakhi parade

NDP Leader Adrian Dix, who has said his campaign for premier won't be overly flashy, delivered a lot of talk on policy during the first week.

Dix outlined the NDP's economic and jobs plan, with a focus on skilled trades, and an education plan that would see more specialty teachers hired and daycare fees cut.

Dix also said his aim is to give more money to low-income families and cut B.C.'s child poverty rate.

• Adrian Dix promises more education, childcare funding
• Dix rolls out NDP plan to tackle child poverty

The NDP also plans to freeze ferry fares from May until March of 2015 so the government can audit BC Ferries Corporation and take a good look atsenior management salaries.

• Ferry fare freeze promised by B.C. NDP

B.C. Conservative Leader John Cumminscampaigned door-to-door in Delta and in his Langley riding, where he took part in an all-candidates debate Tuesday. He also had a visible presence with a tent at the Vaisakhi festival in Surrey.

Cummins announced that new candidates had been approved in ridingsin Kamloops, Penticton and the Lower Mainland, bringing the total number of Conservative candidates to 55.

• Leader profile: John Cummins

Green Party Leader Jane Sterk spent part of the first weekcampaigning in her home riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill.

• Leader profile: Jane Sterk

In the last provincial election, the B.C. Green Party, B.C. Conservatives and independents captured a total of just over 11 per cent of the popular vote.

According to the latest poll, the Conservatives and Greens alone could capture over 20 per cent of the popular vote.

British Columbianshead to the pollsto elect a new government on May 14.