Parties prep for health, business debates

Two policy debates on Tuesday may shed more light on the differences between Newfoundland and Labrador'spolitical parties, although neither will feature all three leaders.

Separate sessionson health care andthe economy will be held Tuesday, a day before the three leaders face off in a televised leaders' debate.

First up, the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses Union is hosting an election panel on health care and nursing at the Holiday Inn in St. Johns.Anthony Germain, host of CBC Radio'sSt. Johns Morning Show, will moderate the discussion.

Two party leaders have committed to attend the event: Liberal Leader Kevin Aylward and New Democratic Party Leader Lorraine Michael.

The Progressive Conservatives will be represented by Jerome Kennedy, the minister of health and the Tory candidate in Carbonear-Harbour Grace.

On Tuesday evening, a debate sponsored bythe St. John's Board of Trade will turn the focus to the economy and financial management. The debate will be moderated by CBC's provincial affairs reporter David Cochrane.

Of the three party leaders, only Lorraine Michael is scheduled to attend this event, making her the only leader to attend all three.

"The people of the province deserve to have all of us here, they deserve to hear from us," Michael said.

"This is an important group, the St John's Board of Trade."

Aylward had been scheduled to attend the Board of Trade debate, but withdrew on Monday. He will berepresented byThe Isles of Notre Dame candidate Danny Dumaresque.

Tom Marshall, the minister of finance and the candidate in Humber East, will speak for the Tories.