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TORONTO - The campaign buses have barely rolled out for the June 12 election and already there's a flurry of open letters, accusations and even legal claims in a $2-million libel suit.

The Progressive Conservatives are denying they did anything wrong when they suggested that Premier Kathleen Wynne "oversaw and possibly ordered the criminal destruction of documents" related to the $1.1-billion cancellation of two gas plants.

In a statement of defence in response to a lawsuit launched by Liberals last month, the Tories say they had a "legal, social and/or moral duty" to make the statements the Liberals claim were defamatory.

The Tories are claiming qualified privilege, saying the public had "a corresponding interest" in hearing that information.

They say in the statement dated May 2 that they were diligent in trying to verify the allegation and that it was an urgent matter of public importance.

Asked whether it was a mistake to file the libel suit against the Opposition party, Wynne responded Monday that she felt it was important to challenge the Tories' allegation.

"I am willing to debate facts anywhere, anytime. I'm always willing to talk about facts and I have answered questions about the decisons around relocating the gas plants," she said at a high school in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto.

"But when there are false allegations made, it's very important that I stand up to those and that I make it clear that that's unacceptable. So the legal process will carry on."

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has sent an open letter to her rivals challenging them to participate in five debates, with one focused on jobs and the economy.

Speaking to host Matt Galloway on CBC's "Metro Morning" on Monday, Horwath said she was not concerned that big union leaders like Unifor head Jerry Dias had questioned her decision not to support the budget, which was seen as labour friendly.

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Liberal, PC campaign buses roll Monday