Conservatives call in campaign fixer

With polls suggesting the Conservatives are struggling in third place in the election campaign, Stephen Harper has brought in an Australian political strategist for help.

Lynton Crosby has been called a quote – “master of the dark political arts”, and one of the most powerful and influential figures in Australia.

He’s also been credited with helping David Cameron become Britain’s Prime Minister with a majority government.  He uses what’s called “wedge politics”, where he finds one particular issue that is then used to siphon off an opponent’s traditional supporters.

Conservative staffers are downplaying Crosby’s role in the campaign, noting the party has been consulting him since March.

For the second day in a row, the federal party leaders plan to campaign mostly outside of Ontario.

Stephen Harper begins the day in southern Quebec before heading back to Ottawa.

Tom mulcair is spending his day in Edmonton.

Justin Trudeau starts his day in Burnaby, BC before hiking up Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver.