HALIFAX – The leaders of Nova Scotia’s three main political parties squared off today over issues including health care and energy during a televised debate, with NDP Premier Darrell Dexter saying high electricity costs were the legacy of past Liberal and Tory governments.

Dexter said those governments chained the province to fossil fuels, driving up energy costs for the province’s consumers.

Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil said customers could expect power rate savings if he wins next month’s election because he is promising to shift the $46 million cost of funding programs run by Efficiency Nova Scotia from customers to Nova Scotia Power.

Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie, who has committed to freezing power rates for five years, says that’s doable despite concerns from critics who say such a measure is not sustainable.

The election is set for Oct. 8.

At dissolution, the NDP held 31 seats in the legislature, the Liberals 12 and the Tories seven.

Two seats were vacant.

Redistribution means the number of seats in the legislature will drop after this campaign to 51 from 52.

Dexter led the NDP to its first victory in Atlantic Canada in 2009.