WINNIPEG (CP) - Manitoba's main political rivals charged into each other's suburban seats Saturday, proving that the middle-class neighbourhoods of Winnipeg will be the major battleground for the May 22 election.
NDP Premier Gary Doer, who called the election Friday, visited the Tory constituency of Southdale - a well-to-do suburb represented by veteran Conservative Jack Reimer since'90.
The NDP is running Erin Selby as a candidate - a popular television host from whom Doer is expecting big things.
"Erin's going to change this seat from Conservative to NDP," Doer said.
Across town, Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen met with candidates in Assiniboia, currently held by NDP cabinet minister Jim Rondeau.
He also visited St. James, held by NDP backbencher Bonnie Korzeniowski.
"The math is clear. We need to win seats that we don't hold right now if we're going to get into government."
The Tories used to be strong in Winnipeg's suburbs. But stalwart ridings such as Seine River and St. Norbert switched to the NDP in the 2003 election.
Earlier Saturday, the two leaders were in Brandon, where a political dogfight is expected between NDP Competitiveness Minister Scott Smith and Tory star candidate Rick Borotsik, a popular former mayor and member of Parliament.
The leaders, along with Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard, unveiled promises that were fairly modest in terms of spending commitments.
Doer promised $2.4 million for a health and fitness centre in Brandon that was already in the planning stages, as well as $1 million for sports equipment at community centres across the province.
McFadyen promised to give Brandon city officials greater powers under provincial law to set their own land use policies and business tax rates.
Gerrard, whose party held just two seats in the legislature when the election was called, unveiled the most detailed campaign plank of the day in promising to get tough on vehicle theft.
A Liberal government would make driving a stolen vehicle an offence punishable by jail time under provincial law, Gerrard said, and use electronic ankle bracelets to monitor all high-risk, repeat car thieves.
Gerrard also promised $20 million over four years for more police officers and $25 million over four years for community centre to give troubled teens some positive options.
The election campaign was just 21 hours old when the first accusation of dirty tricks was made.
The Tories accused the NDP of violating the Elections Financing Act, which bans taxpayer-funded government advertising during an election campaign.
The Tories pointed to television ads touting the government's budget that were still running Saturday.
"Taxpayer dollars are being used inappropriately during a campaign" said Tory Kelvin Goertzen, who is running for re-election in Steinbach.
The NDP referred questions to officials at the Communications Services department, who said the government asked all media outlets yesterday afternoon to pull government ads.
"We have. . .requested in writing that people confirm that they have pulled (the ads), and quite a number had already confirmed last night," said Debbie Mackenzie, acting assistant deputy minister of Communications Services.
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