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VIDEO: Deputy premier Coleman defends Clark's credibility, Liberal LNG plan

It was Deputy Premier Rich Coleman's turn in the hot seat last night on Shaw TV's Voice of BC, this time to discuss Premier Christy Clark's credibility as leader, the BC Liberal record, and his party's natural resource plans, among other topics.

Coleman followed recent appearances on the show by BC Green Party leader Jane Sterk and Green candidate Andrew Weaver, and BC Conservative leader John Cummins and Conservative candidate David Coupland.

Despite trailing the BC NDP by about 19 points according to an Ipsos Reid poll, Coleman told host Vaughn Palmer he's confident the BC Liberals will close the gap in coming weeks and ultimately win the May election.

He said he fully supports the premier and her ability to govern the province.

"I have every confidence that people will see her for what she is -- a dynamic, bright, capable woman," who has the "right" to lead the party, Coleman said.

Coleman told Palmer that the BC Liberals are committed to entering the worldwide liquefied natural gas market, and criticized the NDP's stance on the issue. That party has only said that they want to do a review of fracking and delay the process because of an internal split on the issue, he said.

Previously on the show, BC Conservative leader John Cummins said that the profits from BC Hydro projected on the provincial budget are "phantom profits" and that the BC Liberals are "robbing future generations to provide services today." Palmer also questioned Coleman about the fact that the BC NDP has said it will conduct a full-blown financial review of BC Hydro if it wins the election.

Coleman told Palmer that the government is spending today in order to provide hydro for future generations, and investing significant resources into neglected infrastructure updates that will yield lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

He also said that a review of BC Hydro has already been completed, staff has been cut, and that it's a very well-run and efficient company.

Carly Rhianna Smith is completing a practicum at The Tyee.

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