Some key moments in leaders’ debate
Some of the key exchanges from the Frenchlanguage televised leaders’ debate Thursday:
ON NIQABS:
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper: “Our position for a longtime has been when someone joins the Canadian family, we should not hide our identity and it’s the reason for which we believe new citizens should take the oath without a covering, but Mr. Mulcair, I will never tell my young daughter that a woman should cover her face because she’s a woman.”
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair: “Attack the oppressors, don’t attack women … attack the oppressor if you believe there is oppression in there and have the courage to do so. But it’s not by depriving these women of their citizenship and their rights that you’ll be able to help them.” Green party Leader Elizabeth May: “This is a fake debate, we’re in the middle of an election campaign and we have real challenges in Canada. What is the impact of the niqab on the economy? What is the impact of the niqab on climate change? What is the impact of the niqab on the jobless?”
ON TAX HIKES FOR COMPANIES:
Harper: “Right now, all sectors, except the energy sector, principally, are on the rise. That’s because of numerous measures our government has taken over many budgets and the manufacturing sector has been working with us to develop these programs, they support these programs.”
Trudeau: “The manufacturing sector needs roads and bridges in good health so that we can send our products to market. We regularly see the deficit in infrastructure prevents companies from investing, prevents jobs from being created.”
Mulcair: “Because these companies need infrastructure like roads and bridges, they must start to pay their fair share in taxes. But Mr. Harper has … reduced taxes by tens of billions of dollars, the taxes paid by Canada’s largest companies.”
ON RIGHT TO DIE:
Harper: “Health care is delivered by the provinces and we respect their jurisdiction. As for the decision by the Supreme Court, we will continue to look at this decision. We’ve established a consultative committee to develop to response that respects the decision and protects the interest of doctors, patients, handicapped people, the elderly.”
Trudeau: “The Liberal party supports this because we understand that it’s important to protect the most vulnerable, but also respect the rights and liberties of all. We asked the Harper government to launch the consultations right away and Mr. Harper … didn’t want to look at the extraordinary example of Quebec that showed it could be done with respect.”
Mulcair: “It’s true it’s a delicate case, but nothing stops the federal government from taking action, they are the ones responsible for the Criminal Code. I can guarantee you one thing, the NDP will have a free vote.”