Ontario's Liberal leadership candidates are
facing off today in Thunder Bay.
   
It's the second official debate in the race to replace Premier
Dalton McGuinty, with the winner chosen at the end of January.
   
The seven contenders may face tough questions, such as the
government's decision to freeze plans to convert a coal-fired
generating station in the city to natural gas.
   
The Opposition Conservatives say the governing Liberals have
actually cancelled the project _ a claim the Liberals say simply
isn't true.
   
They say the Ontario Power Authority believes the energy needs of
the region can be met without conversion, and scrapping the project
would save $400 million.
   
Energy Minister Chris Bentley says he wants to see a detailed
plan from the electricity planning agency before making a final
decision.
   
The government has also been under fire in northern Ontario for
planning to sell the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission to
fight a $14.4-billion deficit.
   
The leadership hopefuls are trying to win over potential Liberal
delegates who will be the ones that actually vote for the new leader
at a convention in Toronto Jan. 25-26.
   
Delegates will be selected at meetings across the province the
weekend of Jan. 11-12, just two weeks before the convention.
   
McGuinty surprised everyone on Oct. 15 with his decision to
resign and prorogue the legislature, a move that killed planned
committee hearings into the costly cancellation of two gas plants,
as well as a rare contempt motion against Bentley.

(The Canadian Press)