Leaders on the economy

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Federal leaders continue to hit the campaign trail and today’s sharp drop in North American stock markets is sparking fresh debate about who will best manage Canada’s finances.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper wouldn’t comment on the selloff on stock markets today, except to say that his government is the best bet in uncertain economic times. Harper told reporters in Drummondville, Quebec why the Canadian economy remains strong.

“We’ve established a disciplined financial framework. We not only have the strongest banking system in the world at the national level, we have a government that has balanced its budget with a very low level of debt and some of the lowest levels of taxes in 50 years. This creates a good competitive situation for this country.”

Meanwhile, Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau joined veterans in Belleville today to announce that as Prime Minister he would provide pensions for life for wounded armed forces retirees.

And in Toronto today, NDP leader Tom Mulcair announced that if elected, his government would tackle seniors’ poverty by increasing the guaranteed income supplement which supports the most vulnerable seniors in the country.

Both Mulcair and Trudeau blamed Harper for the current economic mess, saying Harper is the only Canadian Prime Minister to have presided over two recessions. But Harper maintains that the conservatives offer the safest policies during rough economic times.