“Now is not the time for the kinds of harmful economic schemes that are doing so much damage elsewhere in the world”.
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Mr. Mulcair said Sunday that his campaign would be focused on providing support to Canadians struggling under stagnant wage gains and increasing levels of debt, through policies such as affordable day care.
One expert said it’s hard to fact check whether Harper’s statements on the Canada’s economic growth has been stronger than other G7 countries because he didn’t specify a time frame.
Harper made a comment in French about the Alberta NDP government’s plan to manage the economy saying that it is a “disaster” and has been “rejected by the population”.
Harper, 56, now wades into what polls suggest will be a tough election for his Conservative Party, which has been in power for nine years.
But that was dinged by massive job losses and lower royalties due to a drop in oil prices over the past year, and growing uncertainty about Canada’s economic future. Harper told the reporters that he was proposing that all campaign spending be carried out by the parties themselves. “We have 35 seats in the House of Commons right now”, he acknowledged.
That would leave him at the mercy of the two main center-left opposition parties, which could unite to bring him down. Or Canadian voters could fall in line between one of the opposition parties and push it over the top.
“This is an election about leadership on the big issues that affect us all: our economy and our nation’s security”.
Meanwhile, Green party Leader Elizabeth May, said from Sidney, B.C., the early election call would cost taxpayers “tens of millions of dollars” and give the Tories an unfair advantage.
He says the idea is to “get rid of (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper” And once October 20 rolls around, a new round of discussions will happen.
Trudeau says Harper’s plan is not working and the “real risk is sticking with the status quo”.
Five of Canada’s last six election campaigns have lasted the minimum length of just over five weeks.
Normally, Canadian elections run 37 days between the start and Election Day.
Across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Que., with the emblematic Peace Tower looming in the distance, Mulcair – perhaps dwelling on the campaign’s history-making potential for the NDP – took a moment to gather himself before urging Canadians to put an end to almost a decade of Conservative rule. He said a lengthy campaign was needed so Canadians could explore the options and make a “serious choice”. She said the defining issue of the campaign was likely to be the economy.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is expected to make an appearance in Calgary today; NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has no public events scheduled.
While Mulcair, a lawyer from Quebec, has been widely viewed as an effective opponent of Harper’s in Parliament, he remains relatively unknown in the rest of the country and is seen as lacking in charisma. “The government is trying at this stage to line up clearly as many advantage touch points as possible”, said John Wright, managing director of polling firm Ipsos Reid.
Trudeau, who was in transit, did not speak.
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The apprenticeship tax credit, he said, would help to deal with Canada’s long-standing skilled labour shortage.
