The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce says it's scrapping a party leaders' debate it had hoped to hold in advance of the September 10 Manitoba provincial election.

The status of the debate -- a long-standing tradition in Manitoba politics -- has been in limbo because the Progressive Conservatives refused to confirm leader Brian Pallister's participation.

On Friday the PC Party of Manitoba said that the Premier's schedule was full with a tour of rural and northern Manitoba. The Tories say that Pallister is making meeting with Manitobans face to face a priority over debates.

A leaders' debate is usually held in Brandon as well, but that was also cancelled after the Tories said they would not participate. 

The only scheduled leadership debate of the campaign occurred on Wednesday when the leaders met in a 50-minute televised debate.

The PC Party of Manitoba did say that if the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce changed their mind a senior official from the party would attend in Pallister's place.