The sale of Hydro One and health care funding dominated the conversation as candidates from the province’s three major parties met ahead of a scheduled byelection in Whitby.

Liberal candidate Elizabeth Roy, NDP candidate Niki Lundguist and Progressive Conservative candidate Lorne Coe sat down with CP24’s Stephen LeDrew Tuesday.

The three are on the ballot for the byelection to replace former MPP Christine Elliott, who resigned following her loss to Patrick Brown in the Progressive Conservative leadership race.

Lundguist said the planned sale of Hydro One was one of the reasons she decided to run.

“I think it’s going to be the biggest mistake this province has made and we’ll be paying for it for generations,” she said. “I’m really frustrated by the government’s refusal to explain its position.”

Coe sounded a similar note.

“We don’t support the sale of Hydro One because the loss of over $700 million could otherwise be invested in health care,” said Coe, a Durham Regional councilor and former civil servant.

Roy, a Whitby councillor, pointed out that Whitby residents are not served by Hydro One and said the province will still remain the largest stakeholder in the utility.

“We’ll also see the revenue to address the infrastructure,” Roy said. “All mayors across Ontario have asked for revenue to help with infrastructure – this is going to help it.”

Roy is also set to get a boost for her campaign Tuesday in the form of a visit to the district from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – a visit she said residents are excited about.

The high profile endorsement plays up the close ties between the federal Liberals and the provincial Wynne Liberals, who openly campaigned on behalf of Trudeau during the federal election.

However Roy’s opponents questioned the move.

“It’s an attempt by the Wynne Liberals to try and deflect attention from their poor record of the last 13 years of higher electricity rates and cutbacks to healthcare,” Coe said.

Lundguist said if the relationship between Trudeau and the Ontario Liberals is so close, it should include more substantial commitments.

“I think the question is if the (Ontario) Liberals have such a close relationship with the federal Liberals, then why aren’t they coming to do something about job creation or the issues instead of this photo op. to bolster Ms.Roy’s campaign,” Lundguist said.

Voters in Whitby will go to the polls on Thursday.