RIVALS ATTACK HARPER
Defends handling of economy
Canada’s political leaders clashed over competing economic visions Thursday night in the first debate of a long election campaign.
The two-hour debate featuring the leaders of four parties began with a bang, as Conservative Leader Stephen Harper fended off criticism from his rivals over his record in managing the economy as prime minister over the past decade.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Green Leader Elizabeth May accused Harper of turning his back on the middle class, and doing little to create jobs as Canadians saw their incomes stagnate in recent years.
Trudeau, who has seen his party’s popularity drop in recent months, was aggressive in his attacks on Harper — and also on Mulcair.
“You have become completely disconnected with the reality that people are facing across the country,” Trudeau told Harper.
He reminded viewers that Harper’s government has delivered eight deficits after inheriting surpluses from the Liberals he defeated in 2006. Trudeau ridiculed Harper’s statement that voters will be taking a big risk if they put his rivals in power.
“The only risk right now would be sticking with a failed plan for 10 years.”
Mulcair blasted Harper for failing to take action to protect the manufacturing sector and protect jobs throughout the country.
“Incomes are flatlining, household debts are skyrocketing.”
Mulcair also said Harper is trying to deceive Canadians about the health of federal finances and is hiding the fact we are still in deficit — not a surplus, as the Tories claim.
May, who participated in a debate with Harper during the 2008 campaign, reminded him of how he denied during that debate that the country was in recession.
She said Harper doesn’t have a good “track record” spotting when the country is in recession “and we are in a recession now.”
Harper fought back, saying his is the only party committed to providing a fiscally responsible government. For instance, he said his opponents would hike taxes through higher payroll premiums for the Canada Pension Plan.
“Now is not the time to throw us back in deficit and to spend billions of dollars.”
Trudeau also repeatedly drew a bead on Mulcair, whose polices he must discredit if the Liberals hope to regain their standing in the polls.
Trudeau said Mulcair is giving workers “false hope” with promises of higher wages, when the NDP’s pledge affects only those in the federally regulated sector.
“That kind of false advertising is simply irresponsible.”
Trudeau said the NDP is “pandering” to people who do not like corporations through its policy of tax hikes for them. But Mulcair defended that plan as fiscally responsible.
“We think corporations are not paying their fair share,” said Mulcair.
The leaders entered their first debate of the race knowing the stakes are high.
The debate, hosted by Maclean’s magazine, came just four days into the campaign and the outcome has the potential to seal voters’ impressions of the main contenders.
Conversely, if viewers respond surprisingly well to one of the leaders, it could shake loose votes and set the tone for an election that already has a high degree of unpredictability. All the while, because the major TV networks did not broadcast the full debate, it’s still unclear how many people watched it (either on TV or online).
The debate was moderated by Maclean’s political editor Paul Wells and focused on four broad themes: the economy; energy and the environment; democratic institutions; and foreign affairs.
After debating the economy, the leaders had a heated debate about their party’s policies on climate change and oil pipelines.
In recent days, the leaders rehearsed intensely for the debate at City TV’s studio in Toronto.
In the opening days of the campaign, Harper — who is seeking a fourth consecutive mandate — has appealed to voters to opt for the status quo. He has argued that only his party is able to manage the economy, spurn tax hikes, and protect Canadians from jihadist terrorists.
Mulcair, enjoying a surge in popularity that has his party leading in the polls, is promising a fiscally responsible government that creates jobs and establishes a national childcare scheme.