Harper tries to deflect questions on Novak

Stephen Harper says he won’t discuss the latest revelations from the Mike Duffy fraud trial that touch on his current righthand man.

The senator’s trial is having an impact on the federal election campaign with testimony Tuesday that more closely linked Harper’s chief of staff, Ray Novak, to a $ 90,000 payment to Duffy.

Harper said only two people were responsible for wrongdoing — Duffy over his Senate expense claims and former chief of staff Nigel Wright, who paid them.

“I am not going to cherrypick facts that are in dispute before a court,” the Harper told reporters in London, Ont., on Wednesday. “There are two people in my judgment who are responsible — Mr. Duffy, who did not reimburse the taxpayers for expenses that I believe cannot be justified, and Mr. Wright, who, although he did reimburse the taxpayers, he did so without my authority and contrary to my wishes.”

Harper has faced dogged questioning about the Duffy affair over the past week and Wednesday was no exception. His political opponents are also piling on.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said Harper needs to be honest with Canadians about what he knew about the Duffy affair.

“Canadians are not fools,” Trudeau said in Winnipeg as he started his campaign day. “They know that Mr. Harper has not been telling the truth. They deserve him to come clean. The prime minister has to start telling the truth to Canadians.”

Harper opened his morning by trying to change the debate to one of his preferred topics — the economy.

His campaign rolled out a previous commitment to cut red tape for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

In a question- and- answer session with a business lobby group, Harper stressed the Conservative plan to keep spending in check, avoid tax hikes and reduce regulations.

A Liberal candidate from west Quebec and a former party director appeared at the Ottawa courthouse on Wednesday and called on Harper to fire Novak.

“Mr. Harper’s credibility has been shredded. He should finally take responsibility by firing Ray Novak,” Steve MacKinnon said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the NDP called on the RCMP to reopen an investigation into the matter and to look at Novak and about a dozen other Harper staffers.

Canadians are not fools. They know that Mr. Harper has not been telling the truth. They deserve him to come clean.