Deputy Prime Minister John Manley challenged Liberal leadership front-runner Paul Martin to reveal all campaign contributions Saturday during the first of six debates between candidates.

It was one of the few clashes during the roughly 90-minute question-and-answer forum that some pundits criticized for featuring only a few minutes of direct exchanges between contenders.

John Manley
John Manley

For much of the debate, Martin, Manley and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps largely agreed on several broad themes, including the need to foster economic development in Western Canada, and to improve government-supported loan programs for university students.

But at one point, Manley looked squarely at Martin and suggested it was time to divulge all leadership campaign contributions.

"There are three of us on this stage who have raised money while in a ministry. Two of us have declared those sources," Manley said, and he called for "full and open disclosure" of all candidates' accounts by the end of next week.

Paul Martin
Paul Martin

"What I think we should do John is follow the rules," Martin replied. "I'm following the rules, the real question is, 'Are you?'"

Martin's strategists have accused Manley of not disclosing all recent fundraising to ethics counsellor Howard Wilson within the mandatory 60-day period. The deputy prime minister denies the allegation, and has pledged to reveal all amounts on time.

Martin is not required to meet certain disclosure guidelines laid out by Jean Chrétien because he's no longer in the retiring prime minister's cabinet. Martin has declared more than $2.6 million in donations made to his leadership campaign since last July, but the figure doesn't include private contributions to a blind trust since 1998. Those details won't be revealed until 30 days before the party's convention in November.

Sheila Copps
Sheila Copps

Party wants discussion, not 'sniping'

During Saturday's televised debate, Copps argued that Canada needs to boost immigration levels, and to make sure that all Canadian communities share in economic growth – not just the large cities.

Martin, the country's former finance minister, said Ottawa "has to take a very strong position" against "trade harassment from the United States," and he cited Washington's handling of disputes over grain and softwood lumber exports as "simply unforgivable."

His comments drew loud applause from the audience, which had been widely expected to be packed with Martin supporters. He has the backing of most riding associations across the country.

Before the debate, the president of the federal Liberal Party, Stephen LeDrew, predicted the candidates would talk about issues and not launch personal attacks against each other.

The candidates don't want to "get into sniping, not talk about who did what when, but talk about their vision about what they would do if they were prime minister," LeDrew told CBC Newsworld.

Manley complained that he wanted more direct exchanges but said the Martin camp refused.

The debate rules were drawn up some time ago, according to LeDrew. He called the format flexible, and argued that there's still plenty of opportunity for "cutting and thrusting" on stage.