B.C. party leaders gear up for election debate

The leaders of British Columbia's three main parties will be facing off in the only televised debate of the campaign on CTV, Sunday evening.

Liberal leader Gordon Campbell, NDP leader Carole James, and Green Party leader Jane Sterk will debate the issues and answer questions from viewers. It all starts on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m., followed by CTV News at Six.

The debate is expected to be closely watched after recent poll results showed that the NDP is in a neck-and-neck battle with the Liberals.

The poll, conducted for CTV News and The Globe and Mail, revealed that the economy is the number one issue in the minds of voters.

When pollster Angus Reid asked who is best suited to deal with the economy, Liberal leader Gordon Campbell came out on top. Three times as many British Columbians endorse his leadership over that of James.

However, James fired back last week saying that she is not about the change course ahead of the May 12 election and will stand up for British Columbians.