B.C. party leaders prepare for high stakes debate in a close election

British Columbia’s political leaders are preparing to square off in the only televised debate of the election, and the main rivals have set the stage with duelling proposals to tackle crime and public safety.The stakes are especially high for New Democrat Party Leader David Eby and Conservative Leader John Rustad, who appear to be in a dead heat among decided and leaning voters with less than two weeks until the Oct. 19 election. The second – and final – debate between premier hopefuls on Tuesday, which will also include Green Leader Sonia Furstenau, offers the opportunity to win undecided voters who will hold the key to victory.