Anti-wind farm protesters and teachers angry over Bill 115 greeted Ontario Liberals arriving in Ingersoll Sunday for the first of five leadership debates.

With signs declaring “Rage Against Green Energy” and “Stop Wind Power,” dozens of local residents chanted out front of the debate hall, while teachers and members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees protested out back.

It was the first chance for most people to hear what the would-be premiers have to say, and for the candidates to highlight the differences from their competitors, all of whom served in Dalton McGuinty’s cabinet at one time or another.

Kathleen Wynne, one of the perceived front-runners, says party members don’t want to see the candidates “ripping each other apart.”

The leadership hopefuls are trying to win over potential delegates who will be the ones that actually vote for the new Liberal leader at a convention in Toronto January 25th and 26th.