‘I think the stakes for people are high’
Opponents’ proposed policies would affect best interests of Canadians, says Harper
Ottawa Citizen parliamentary bureau chief Mark Kennedy sat down this week with leaders of the three main political parties as voters prepare for the Oct. 19 election. Today: Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.
TORONTO — Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says he doesn’t think Canadians will cast their vote based on what they think of his personality, but instead on what’s in their own “best interests” — including their wallets.
As well, Harper rejects criticism that he is trying to get reelected on a campaign of fearmongering through his strong stand against Muslim women who wish to wear the niqab at citizenship ceremonies, or by declaring that dual nationals convicted of terrorism should be stripped of their Canadian citizenship.
Instead, he says he is onside with the “overwhelming” majority of Canadians on these issues and it’s the opposition leaders who are trying to create divisions where there is unity.
Harper made the comments in an interview as voters prepare to make up their minds about whether he should be re-elected for a fourth straight mandate as Conservative prime minister.
He spoke on the economic risks he says are inherent in electing either the Liberals or New Democrats; the threat to Canadians from jihadi terrorists; and the instability that could come from a minority Parliament.
Harper said he thinks he can win the election and will accept whatever “mandate” he is given.
But he added, “Obviously I believe to ensure stability, to ensure an agenda of lower taxes, balanced budget and spending that is actually effective and goes into people’s pockets, I think a majority Conservative government is the way to make that a certainty. I think anything else puts that at risk.”
Harper stressed that political change comes at a cost to voters who, he said, would see their taxes go up and their standard of living deteriorate.
After a decade in office, Harper is facing off against two main rivals, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, who are hoping to tap into a desire for change among voters.
In the interview, Harper was reminded that prime ministers such as Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien retired by the 10-year mark and that one who chose to run beyond that benchmark, Pierre Trudeau, was defeated in a 1979 election.
Harper said he chose to run again because he loves the job he has held since 2006. “My party certainly wants me to keep doing it. And I believe the voters do, too.
“Time will tell whether that’s true or not. Much of the national media has been telling me I would never win a single election. They’ve been telling me I haven’t won three times in a row.”
Harper’s critics say he has been a polarizing figure and has provoked strong dislike from some voters who don’t like his leadership style and policies.
But the Conservative leader said he’s not the central issue.
“I think people will make a decision not based on me. I think that’s where, you know, some of the other parties — the Liberal party in particular — are wrong.
“I don’t think people are going to make a decision based on their read of personalities. I think they’re going to make a decision based on what they think is really in their own best interests.”
Ultimately, he said, he thinks most voters will “understand” their best interests are connected to the choice they face on which party has the best policies and experience to govern the country.
“I think they’ll make a choice for proven leadership, for strong management and, frankly, for a policy direction that’s going to ensure their taxes stay down and the benefits they have, they keep.”
As he zeros in on Oct. 19, Harper is reminding people of the tax breaks he is offering. Among them: universal child care benefits; income splitting for families; higher contribution limits for tax-free savings accounts; and a home renovation tax credit.
By comparison, he is taking aim at Trudeau’s Liberals, who are promising to kickstart the economy with a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure program that would create deficits for three years. Trudeau also says he’d work with provinces to enhance the Canada Pension Plan, a move that would mean higher premiums and ultimately better pension benefits, but which the Tories label as a “payroll tax.”
“I think the stakes for people are high,” said Harper of the choice voters face. “We shouldn’t kid ourselves. You know, you can throw around $10-billion deficits and hiking peoples’ payroll taxes — $1,000 a year, by the way, for the typical worker. A lot of money. You can throw things around like this as shiny new promises. But these have real impacts on people.
“They’re going to come out of people’s take-home pay, out of the money they’re able to use for education or for buying a home. For the workers or for the businesses, they’re going to come out of future wage increases or even jobs.”
Harper said the Conservative government has created strong “economic fundamentals” — lower taxes and a balanced budget — to put the country on a strong footing in years ahead.
Opposition parties say his government has presided over poor economic growth and dismal job creation, but Harper said the statistics say otherwise. “Whether it’s growth, job creation, banking stability. You name it. Canada’s statistics over the last decade are the best in the world.”
Harper rejected accusations his stance on niqabs and on stripping citizenship of dual nationals convicted of terrorism is motivated to stoke fear and anger.
“I think it’s quite the opposite. The positions we’ve taken on the issues you’ve mentioned are in line with the views of not a majority of Canadians — an overwhelming majority of Canadians.”
He said the other parties have “resorted to that kind of fearmongering because they find themselves so offside with the fundamental values and understanding of Canadians on these issues.”