AT A GLANCE

A look at some of the key developments Friday in the federal election campaign:

CONSERVATIVES

Stephen Harper’s first campaign event was a brief speech in the backyard of a suburban Toronto home, where a backdrop of mothers and toddlers showcased his government’s universal child- care benefit. He warned that the Liberals would kill the benefit and the New Democrats would cause economic havoc, but he evaded questions on whether the economy has slipped back into recession. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair says it has, but Harper sidestepped. “You either stick with the plan that’s working and has most of our economy growing, or you adopt plans that throw all of the economy backward — and that’s what the NDP proposes.” He also warned of a tax- and- spend Justin Trudeau: “He will cut your taxes, but only if first he gets to raise your taxes. That’s what every tax- hiking politician says.”

NDP

Mulcair’s tour meandered through central Ontario. In Toronto, he said he wants to see more debates, but only if Harper is on board. “We’re more than willing to work and take part in the consortium debate, but we’re also expecting Stephen Harper to say the same thing.” Mulcair took advantage of a stop in Peterborough to remind locals that their former MP, one- time Conservative Dean Del Mastro, was convicted of cheating on campaign expenses. Peterborough strongly wants a change, Mulcair said, to laughter from the crowd.

LIBERALS

While his campaign staff issued a news release trumpeting Justin Trudeau’s debate performance on Thursday night, the leader used a stop in Finance Minister Joe Oliver’s Toronto riding to criticize the Conservative handling of the economy. Trudeau said the government has put Canada in deficit and the Liberals would balance the books. He didn’t say how long that might take. “We are committed to a balanced budget, but how long it takes to get there will depend on the size of the mess Mr. Harper has left behind.”

Ontario Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne, who has been waging her own war on Harper since the campaign began, weighed in again Friday, complaining about a troubled relationship with the prime minister. “The reality is that the relationship with Stephen Harper has been a difficult one,” Wynne said in Toronto outside the Ontario legislature. “I have tried to work with him. The fact is, it has deteriorated.” She said a prime minister has to work with the provinces, for the good of the whole country, and not just in a vacuum.

BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS

Leader Gilles Duceppe complained that the debate Thursday was disrespectful to Quebecers because it touched on separatism in the absence of the only federal separatist party — his own. During the debate, Trudeau accused Mulcair of wanting to ditch the Clarity Act the make it easier for Quebec to separate. Duceppe said he doesn’t understand how the other leaders could claim separatism is dead, then discuss it in the debate. The only Frenchlanguage leaders debate confirmed is scheduled for Oct. 2, just 17 days before the election. Duceppe will take part in that debate.