BRANDON, Man. -- Manitoba's three main party leaders squared off Wednesday in a debate that was supposed to be about municipal needs but occasionally delved into personal attacks.

Premier Greg Selinger faced accusations over health-care wait times and growing deficits. He shot back at Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister, saying Pallister expressed support for two-tier health care in a radio interview two years ago.

Pallister's quick denial prompted Selinger to accuse him of being angry. Selinger worked that in while he talked about how his government's budget plan will protect front-line services.

"The way we will get there is through those steady commitments to infrastructure growth and a commitment to universal health care that doesn't get angry when the truth is presented to you."

Pallister then brought up the internal NDP revolt that almost toppled Selinger earlier this year.

"I'm not nearly as angry as half your caucus is about your leadership, sir," Pallister said to laughs from delegates at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities annual convention.

Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari, who has never held political office and was in her first debate, appeared to struggle on occasion to finish her sentences. But she got in several digs as she accused Selinger of ignoring infrastructure needs until recently.

"Be real. Say that you're now about to now choose to commit to infrastructure. Be real with Manitobans that you've ignored it for 15 years."

Bokhari got the biggest applause of the hour-long event when she criticized Selinger for forcing small communities to amalgamate to save money. She was also applauded for her promise to stop charging municipalities provincial sales tax, phasing it out over five years, if she is elected.

Selinger, whose New Democrats have fallen sharply in opinion polls since raising the PST in 2013, remained calm and relaxed as he touted his government's infrastructure spending. He accused the other leaders of promising tax cuts that would deprive the province of money for roads, bridges and health care.

Pallister repeatedly accused Selinger of planning another sales tax hike. Selinger would not rule it out when pressed by reporters after the event. But he expressed a clear reluctance.

"Do you guys remember the experience I went through on that?" he said, referring to public anger and the internal revolt that ensued.

"Do you really think I want to do that again any time soon?"