Wynne, Hudak and Horwath meet tonight in televised leaders’ debate

Tim Hudak and Kathleen Wynne faceoff

TORONTO — With polls suggesting a tight race between the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives all three leaders are hoping to sway some votes their way in tonight’s televised leaders’ debate.

Experts are suggesting a number of tactics that the leaders could employ in tonight’s faceoff.

Jonathan Malloy of Carleton University’s political science department expects to see Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne and Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak largely focus on each other.

But Western University politics professor Cameron Anderson says while Wynne and Hudak will be front and centre, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath shouldn’t be discounted.

Meanwhile, Ryerson University politics professor Wayne Petrozzi says Wynne and Horwath will try to turn Hudak “into a human pinata,” pushing him to explain the numbers behind his million jobs plan.

And Wynne will have to defend the Liberal record, which will certainly include barbs from the other two leaders about the cancellation of two gas plants that could end up costing taxpayers more than $1 billion.

Wynne, the only leader who hasn’t participated in the televised debate before, says the event is an “important juncture” in a campaign and an opportunity for her to talk to voters about her plan.

And Hudak predicts his opponents will try to sway voters with empty promises, and says he’ll stand out by being straightforward about his plans.

Horwath says she’s looking forward to sparring with her political opponents.