B.C. NDP Leader Carole James is meeting this weekend with party members eager to hear how she plans to defeat the provincial Liberals in 2013. (CBC)

B.C. New Democrat Leader Carole James says the economy and education will top her agenda for the next election.

Speaking at the B.C. NDP biennial convention in Vancouver on Saturday, James received a rousing welcome as she delivered her keynote speech.

The weekend meeting has been considered a crucial one for James, who has twice been defeated in campaigns against the Liberals under Gordon Campbell.

Many in the party are looking for James to start building now for an election more than three years away.

"I want to talk about an affirming vision for the future, an inclusive vision, to give British Columbians hope," she said in the short speech.

James labelled the governing Liberals liars and cowards for bringing in the harmonized sales tax, boosting the deficit and cutting spending in the months after the election.

She said the party will focus on education and the economy in an effort to convince provincial voters more than three years from now to vote New Democrat.

James said the economic issues the province faces can't be addressed without looking at education to grow the economy and find new entrepreneurs.

She also promised delegates that a New Democrat government would eliminate child poverty, after recent statistics showed B.C. has the highest rate of child poverty in the country.

Party facing shortfall

Provincial treasurer Cheryl Hewitt told party members Friday night that the NDP came out of May's provincial election with a debt much larger than expected.

While it's too early to put a figure on the shortfall, Hewitt urged members to step up their fundraising efforts.

"Our money comes to us in little wee bits," she said.

"The Liberals get theirs in big hunks so they're not as vulnerable. We're really vulnerable to an economic downturn. The income in my family comes from forest sector workers. We're not doing well in huge parts of British Columbia and it's reflected in our fundraising capacity, that's all."

Hewitt said some party members don't seem to like fundraising, but she's urging them all to get busy.

"Going out and talking to their neighbours, urging them to join the party, asking their friends, neighbours and members to make contributions and not being shy about it."

Hewitt said U.S. President Barack Obama's supporters weren't shy about asking for money during his presidential campaign — and B.C. New Democrats shouldn't be reluctant either.

With files from The Canadian Press