Wynne, Notley fire back at Tory attacks

Conservative leader Stephen Harper, for the second time in the election campaign, has launched fierce attacks against the Liberal premier of Ontario and the NDP premier of Alberta — and both are fighting back.

At a news conference in Toronto Tuesday, Harper blasted Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne over her desire for an enhanced public pension plan.

He also railed against Alberta Premier Rachel Notley for imposing tax hikes in her first budget since last May’s provincial election victory.

The attacks appear aimed at discrediting the political brands of his federal opponents, as he squares off against NDP leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.

But both premiers released statements in the wake of Harper’s attacks, with Wynne using the strongest language.

“Ontario needs a new federal government to work with,” said Wynne in a written statement from her office Tuesday.

“Stephen Harper and his ministers preferred to play political games rather than work with provinces in the best interest of the people of this country. This is particularly the case in Ontario.

“It is an affront to the people of Ontario and their futures when he actively obstructs what everyone knows is needed. What we need now is a real partner in Ottawa.”

The increasing war of words raises questions about how Harper, if he is re-elected as prime minister, will be able to work with the premiers of two of the country’s major provinces.

On Sunday, as the campaign began, Wynne publicly said voters should toss Harper’s government from office for its refusal to help Ontario implement its new pension plan.

The next day, in Laval, Que., Harper blasted back, saying that even though Wynne was angry, he wasn’t going to help her introduce a “tax hike” through higher pension premiums.

He also said Alberta’s tax hikes will create a “disaster.” Notley responded with a statement saying her government had introduced a progressive income tax that benefited most Albertans, but she had also asked “wealthy Albertans and profitable corporations to pay just a bit more.”

On Tuesday, in Toronto, Harper was still taking shots.

He recalled how, when he took office in 2006, he received advice from a senior official about federal-provincial relations.

“They said, ‘You will have your best relations with the premiers who are doing a good job in their own jurisdiction.’ ”