The leaders of the provincial NDP and B.C. Greens aren’t backing off from debates with their local opponents at the constituency level.

The NDP’s Carole James, who is running in Victoria–Beacon Hill, is set to appear at an all-candidates forum this evening (April 29). Along with candidates Dallas Henault of the B.C. Liberals and Adam Saab of the Greens, James will answer questions from the audience as well as those submitted ahead of time.

Green Leader Jane Sterk told the Straight that she’s participating in all constituency-level debates. Sterk is trying to unseat Esquimalt–Royal Roads NDP MLA Maurine Karagianis while also keeping B.C. Liberal candidate Carl Ratsoy at bay.

“I’m trying to win my seat, so it’s really important for me to win my seat, and I can’t do it by not attending the debates,” Sterk said by phone.

And what about B.C. Liberal premier Gordon Campbell?

“Campbell is still refusing to debate,” NDP candidate Mel Lehan told the Straight. Lehan is running against Campbell in Vancouver–Point Grey for a second time in this year’s May 12 election.

“He [Campbell] wouldn’t do it last election and he won’t do it this election,” Lehan said by phone during a break in door-knocking in the constituency’s Dunbar area. “He’s really afraid to debate.”

Stephen Kronstein, Green candidate in Vancouver–Point Grey, said he assumes that Campbell doesn’t want to show up at all-candidates debates at the local level because the premier can get his points across through the extensive media coverage he receives.

“But unfortunately, if that is his position, he’s not understanding that these meetings are for his electorate to give him some guidance, to give him their questions, and for them to be able to share their interests and hopes for B.C.,” Kronstein told the Straight. “If he is of the idea that he is in the media and doesn’t need to show up, then he’s missing the point.”