Conservative leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop in Quebec City on Tuesday, August 25, 2015.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Amid the turmoil rocking world markets, there is a glimmer of good news because financial and banking systems are holding steady, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said today.
That suggests things are not as bad as they were when the last global recession hit the banking system hard, but the market turbulence is still worrying, Harper said during a campaign stop in Quebec.
All the more reason to stay the course with his government's economic plan, the prime minister added.
"These are challenging times, but I think they speak once again to why this government's strategy is the correct one," he said.
"You do not — as any financial planner will tell you, whether it's from the prime minister on down — you do not run around and change your plans based on daily market news. You have a long-term plan and you stick to it."
Mr. Harper was announcing a plan to bolster port facilities in Quebec as part of what he called a maritime prosperity initiative.
He said a re-elected Conservative government would provide funding for a new marine terminal at the Alexandra Pier in the port of Montreal and an expanded cruise ship terminal in Quebec City.
Mr. Harper says improved facilities for cruise liners will attract more tourists.
He says these new facilities are critical for the prosperity of Quebec and the whole country.
In his announcement, Harper also took a sharp dig at NDP rival Thomas Mulcair, saying he's proposing reckless spending plans without saying how he will pay for them.