Nova Scotia premier accuses Tories of failing to explain ‘$500-million hole’
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has sharpened his political attacks on Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie with only a few days of campaigning left before Tuesday’s provincial election.
With the polls showing a tightening race between the two parties, the Liberal leader told a news conference Friday that Baillie is trying to paper over a “$500-million hole” in the Tory platform.
The premier, who is seeking a second consecutive mandate, used the phrase no fewer than five times when responding to reporters’ questions, saying Baillie must explain what budget cuts he would make to cover the perceived shortfall.
“He’s not telling Nova Scotians where that money is coming from,” he said.
The Conservatives have dismissed the premier’s accusation as a “complete fabrication,” saying their fully costed platform adds up.
However, the premier pressed on, saying the Conservatives’ lack of clarity stands in contrast to the NDP’s commitment, if elected, to amass about $1 billion in budget deficits over the next four years.
“At least (NDP Leader Gary) Burrill is telling Nova Scotians he’s going to have a $250-million deficit next year,” the premier said. “At least he’s being forthright about that. Mr. Baillie has a $500-million hole next year alone.”
Meanwhile, Baillie ramped up his appeal for support from traditional NDP voters, saying those seeking real change should “give us a try.”
“I believe there is a great desire for change out there,” said Baillie, who is leading his party in an election campaign for a second time since 2010.
Burrill, who has been party leader for just over a year, scoffed at Baillie’s bid, saying NDP voters should recall that Baillie was once “cheerleaderin-chief” for former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, whose party lost every one of its seats in Nova Scotia in the 2015 federal election.
“I think it’s a piece of desperate opportunism,” Burrill said in an interview. “I think he is in a desperate effort to rebrand himself in the post-Harper era. I’m sorry to say, but I think he’s a three-dollar bill.”
Burrill said Baillie stands for the same things that Harper did, including “limiting the public sector and balancing the budget at all costs.”
Baillie responded to the criticism Friday by pointing to his tenure as CEO of the non-profit Credit Union Atlantic, and his work as chief of staff for former Nova Scotia premier John Hamm.
“He ran a very progressive, Progressive Conservative government,” Baillie said Friday. “I’m proud of the social progress that this party has led in Nova Scotia ... There are areas of common ground between Progressive Conservatives and people who are undecided or vote NDP.”
With the latest string of polls showing the front-running Liberals losing ground to the Tories, Baillie has ramped up talking about an issue his party believes is resonating with voters: health care.
The Tories released another statement Friday saying the health-care system is in a state of crisis.
“Stephen McNeil ... is trying to turn the channel to the economy in the final days of the election,” the statement said, referring to the premier’s announcements earlier in the day about job creation.
During a visit to a local hightech firm, McNeil said the province’s unemployment rate had dipped to its lowest point in eight years. He also boasted about a booming export sector – led by the seafood industry – and he repeated his pledge to offer a tax cut for 500,000 Nova Scotians.