Harper only leader on election trail today

Canada’s three main political leaders traded accusations of fiscal recklessness and promises of budget prudence Wednesday as the health of the economy dominated the federal election campaign for a third straight day.

Up for Debate says Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, and Green Leader Elizabeth May have all agreed to the new format, but the group is still waiting for a response from the Conservatives.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, a former teacher, says the tax system does not recognize numerous extra expenses educators face each year.

That would be a dramatic reversal from 2011, when the Conservatives took 21 of 36 seats with 45.6 per cent of the vote, the NDP a dozen with 32.5, the Liberals just two with 13.4, and the Greens a singleton with 7.7.

Trudeau challenged Mulcair to tell voters what programs an NDP government would cut or what campaign promises would be sacrificed to balance the books next year. He said he could find savings by doing away with the Conservatives’ income-splitting plan while raising taxes on large corporations.

The Harper government’s budgets have been producing red ink for eight years, he said. “Mr. Harper has left us in a mess”. And we know what the NDP plan is.

In a clear effort to burnish the party’s economic credentials, other candidates from across the country – many with impressive resumes – joined an event in the greater Toronto area, which is turning into a key battleground for the three major parties.

“Every time we do talk about something, whether it’s quality $15-a-day child care or this tax credit, we’re always going to show where the money’s going to come from”, Mulcair said.

The cost is expected to be about $60 million per year.

In his announcement, Harper also took a sharp dig at NDP rival Tom Mulcair, saying he’s proposing reckless spending plans without saying how he will pay for them. Mr. Trudeau has promised to meet with provincial Premiers to discuss “economic stimulus” should the Liberals form government after the election.

It also says the NDP leader is viewed as best able to handle four issues, including the economy and jobs, while Harper gets the top rating only on foreign affairs and crime/public safety.

Harper’s Conservatives – seeking a rare fourth consecutive mandate – have prided themselves on their handling of the economy but have posted a string of budget deficits since the 2008 financial crisis.

“When you contradict, shame or make the PM look bad regardless of its significance, watch out because some of his soldiers are coming after you”, Brazeau writes.

As they pumped tens of millions of “aid” dollars into initiatives supporting the controversial sector, the Conservatives blocked efforts to regulate an industry notorious for abuses in jurisdictions with weak legal structures.