Harper blasts Trudeau’s economic plan as all ‘unicorns and rainbows’

Share

Stephen Harper is calling Justin Trudeau's economic plan "unicorns and rainbows" as the Conservative leader turns to ridicule to sow doubts about the Liberal frontrunner's fiscal competency in the final days of the 2015 federal election campaign.

The Tory Leader is dodging questions about why he's relying on controversial ex-Toronto mayor Rob Ford to help organize a big rally in Etobicoke, Ont., Saturday night. Mr. Ford, who admitted to smoking crack, is using his political base to fill the event at the Toronto Congress Centre.

Mr. Harper, who has refused to acknowledge the Liberals are leading in the polls, on Saturday warned supporters at a Laval, Que. rally for Montreal-region candidates to ensure they get each and every Conservative supporter to the voting booth.

"We are in a tight election and every vote will count," he said.

In a reflective mood, he also spoke of his pride at leading the country since 2006.

"I could not be more honoured to be the prime minster of the greatest country in the world," the Conservative Leader said. "In the past 10 years, I believe that our Conservative Party has led this country forward during a difficult time – to be more prosperous, more united, more proud, more secure than ever before. If we can keep moving forward, we're going to make sure we have an even more prosperous, secure, prouder future."

The often slow-paced Harper campaign is picking up speed now in the last 36 hours of the political race. On Saturday, the Tory Leader began the day with a radio interview in Fredericton and then headed to Laval for a boisterous rally, which drew more than 750 people.

Mr. Harper is also making campaign stops Saturday in Oakville, Ont., and Etobicoke, where controversial former Toronto mayor Rob Ford and his brother have helped organize a rally for the Conservatives. Then on Sunday he's off to Regina and Abbotsford, B.C.

Bill Mitrakos, a Conservative supporter in Laval, said he thinks the pollsters are undercounting the Tory vote: "The Conservative vote is probably underestimated and if we get a couple more percentage more than what the polls say, we're looking a very close race."

The Conservatives, whom polls suggest are running about six to seven points behind the Liberals on a national basis, are trying to shift the central ballot question on voters minds' from desire for change to which party would leave the most money in Canadians' pockets.

To that end, Mr. Harper is trying to poke holes in the Liberal economic platform which includes tax cuts and a massive infrastructure building program but also three years of deficits. He contrasts that with his pledge to run balanced budgets and offer targeted tax cuts to parents with children, to seniors and investors.

He says the Liberal platform lacks sufficient substance.

"The truth is that Justin Trudeau, the Liberal Leader, speaks very little about his economic plan," Mr. Harper told Postmedia News in an interview Friday.

"As we know, if I can be blunt, it's all unicorns and rainbows, but no talking about the real specifics," he said.

"These guys are proposing in a time of global economic instability, that they will spend $150-billion more."

Liberal candidate Carolyn Bennett said Mr. Harper is deceiving voters with his attacks on Mr. Trudeau's economic plan.

"Canadians aren't fooled by petty politics, gameshow gimmicks and attempts to divide us. The facts are that the Liberal plan benefits middle class families more than Harper's plan. Nine out of 10 families will get more from our plan to cut taxes for the middle class, raise taxes on the wealthiest 1 per cent of Canadians and invest in jobs and economic growth," said Ms. Bennett, the candidate for Toronto–St. Paul's.

The "unicorns and rainbows" attack on Mr. Trudeau was most recently used by conservative commentator Tasha Kheiriddin who wrote last week that "Anyone can promise unicorns and rainbows if they max out the credit card. New infrastructure, bigger family benefits, fatter CPP cheques, the list of Liberal goodies is endless."