Leaders unveil more promises

The Conservatives pledged Thursday to introduce another mandatory minimum sentence if they’re reelected, this time for serious fraud.

The party has long portrayed itself as tough on crime, introducing or increasing various so-called mandatory minimums even as the courts have struck down some as unconstitutional.

In Toronto, Eglinton-Lawrence Conservative candidate Joe Oliver said a Tory government would introduce a two-year, mandatory minimum sentence for financial fraud over $5,000 that involves multiple victims, unless the offender pays full restitution.

Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised new money for two big transit projects Thursday in Montreal, as he touted his plan to run deficits and spend on infrastructure before Friday’s leaders’ debate in Quebec.

Trudeau tried to differentiate himself from NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair as the only progressive option on the economy and spending stimulus. “Mr. Mulcair made the wrong choice. He chose not to listen to what Canadians have been telling all of their leaders over the past year — that now is the time to invest, now is the time to grow our economy,” Trudeau said at a forklift repair plant.

Also in Montreal, Mulclair said his party would put money into renewable energy and home retrofits as part of a plan to fight climate change.

Mulcair said the Conservatives have ignored the problem of global warming.

“He sees no urgency to act,” Mulcair said. “After a decade of time wasted under Stephen Harper, we need a prime minister with the longterm vision to fight climate change.”

Mulcair also pledged $150 million over four years to a green municipal fund. The money would offer local governments stable funding for sustainable projects and cleaner transit.