Issues in the N.S. election campaign

Heating costs: The Conservatives have promised a rebate equivalent to the eight per cent provincial sales tax on soaring home heating bills. That would save the average household using heating oil about $200 a year. The NDP supports the idea, the Liberals have reservations about the program.

Conservative budget: Premier Rodney MacDonald could be criticized for introducing a budget just days before an election without plans to hold a vote on it. The NDP's Darrell Dexter supported large parts of the minority government's financial plan, which gave the budget a strong chance of getting through the legislature. Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie opposed the budget.

Government loans: The Liberals are expected to hammer at the Tories over two government loans. Much of the information provided so far about the loans has been heavily censored, angering the opposition parties. The Liberals want details on a $250,000 loan to S&J Potato Farms, which leases land from former economic development minister Ernie Fage. And the party wants to know more about a $350,000 loan to Magic Valley Fun Park, owned by friends of former premier John Hamm.

Tuition fees: The government has been criticized by student groups for not controlling rising college and university fees. The NDP has promised to act by, among other things, giving medical residents a break on the interest from government-backed loans.

Government spending: The Liberals have accused the Conservatives of using a political slush fund ahead of an election call to bolster their chances at the polls. A rush of spending promises by the Conservatives in the weeks leading up the election have been criticized by the opposition as political opportunism.

Leadership: With MacDonald and MacKenzie fighting their first provincewide election campaigns, questions remain about how they will do. Dexter is the most experienced of the three leaders, having led his party for four years.