GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. — Doug Griffiths has again blasted Albertans who don't look after themselves and expect medical miracles.

On Thursday night, in the second of eight political forums, the youngest of the PC party hopefuls called health care the "elephant in the room," and said keeping Albertans out of the hospital is mainly their own responsibility.

"We are getting the impression in this province that it doesn't matter what you do, what you eat, how you take care of yourself, the doctor will magically fix you," he told close to 300 attendees.

Former cabinet minister Gary Mar said more than 2% of the health care budget should be made available to promote wellness.

In terms of the privatization of community care, it was Doug Horner who seemed to stand outside from the general feeling that there should be more funding put into community care. He preferred to help enhance technology to keep seniors in their homes. This view was met with mild criticism from his fellow competitors.

The most surprising issue brought up during the evening was not about healthcare, but was the question of funding for the arts and not-for-profit organizations in the province.

The candidates agreed furthering funding in such creative areas is essential to the continued expansion of the province's population.

Allison Redford adamantly stated the topmost priorities were in education, health care and culture.

"I think it's really important for us to talk about culture and to decide what we want our culture to look like," she said.

The next leadership forum is slated for Aug. 11 in Fort McMurray. The first votes will be cast on Sept. 17.