NDP star candidate warns of fiscal ‘ mess’
Former tech executive forecasts a two- way race with Conservatives
The NDP’s star candidate who hopes to defeat Joe Oliver says he doubts the finance minister’s claim of a balanced budget, and worries the Conservatives have left federal finances in a “mess.”
In an interview Monday, Andrew Thomson said his party is being cautious about its promises in this election campaign because it knows tough choices lie ahead.
Thomson, a former NDP Saskatchewan finance minister, was named by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair last week to carry the party’s banner in the Toronto riding of Eglinton- Lawrence.
“I do worry about what kind of a mess this government is leaving financially, and what that is going to mean for future programs and for the state of the deficit,” he said.
“We’ve opted for a platform which is fairly targeted in its approach. It has a number of key planks in it — some marquee programs that we are interested in launching and bringing forward in our first term.
“I think we have been cautious in that approach. Tom Mulcair has been in government; he knows what those tough choices are like. I have been in government; I know what those tough choices are like. There’s no sense in promising pieinthe- sky types of policies if they can’t be implemented.”
Thomson was a member of the Saskatchewan legislature from 1995 to 2007 and held various portfolios, including finance; learning; corrections and public safety; energy and mines; and information technology. As finance minister, while resource revenues were increasing, he cut taxes and balanced the provincial budget.
“My time in government, and we’ve seen the record of NDP governments — there is a strong attention to spending discipline.
“We are obviously committed to social spending, but at the same time are also committed to making sure budgets are balanced and that governments live within their means.”
In 2007, Thomson left politics for the private sector, working for technology giant Cisco Systems.
He said he grew concerned about the direction of the country under the Conservatives and got engaged. The NDP offered him the EglintonLawrence candidacy. There was no nomination race.
Winning the riding won’t be easy. Before Oliver took it in 2011, it was a Liberal stronghold. In 2011, the NDP secured only 11.6 per cent of the vote.
Thomson rejected the suggestion a strong showing by the NDP could split the left- wing vote — making it easier for Oliver to win.
“Increasingly, as we look at the national polls, this is a fight between the NDP and the Conservatives for who is going to form the next government.”