There is more to Canada than a failed Prime Minister

Mulcair, Trudeau agendas offer relief, not risk: Editorial

Stephen Harper’s claim to represent security for Canadians is shaky as the economy lags.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in fine political fettle at the Calgary Stampede this past week, sporting his Stetson and gunning for his rivals in the upcoming federal election.

In a rousing speech to his Conservative Party faithful at a barbecue he blasted New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau — “the other guys” — for being, among other things, a threat to the nation’s pocketbooks.

“Friends, here is the bottom line,” Harper said. “The Liberals and the NDP voted against every single tax break and every single family benefit we brought in. They will tax away, in whole or large part, the universal child care benefit, income-splitting, and tax-free savings accounts.” He also raised the spectre of a carbon tax and claimed his rivals will raise payroll taxes.

“Friends, we’ve come too far to take risks with reckless policies. That’s why I’m confident that this October Canadians will choose security over risk.”

It was red-meat stuff. Except that Harper’s claim to be Mr. Security is shaky. He is presiding over a struggling economy. The International Monetary Fund has just slashed its growth forecast for this country. Exports are slumping. Statistics Canada reports we lost 6,400 jobs last month, sustaining the view the economy is losing steam. And the Bank of Canada may be forced to cut interest rates yet again amid fears of recession. Moreover after 10 years in power Harper’s Conservative brand has lost its lustre. The party is heading into the campaign at a near-historic low in the polls.

The majority of Canadians — those who favour change — seem more than prepared to “risk” an NDP or Liberal government over the “security” that the Tories say they offer.

Both Mulcair and Trudeau would upend Harper’s $26 billion pre-election “cash for everyone” budget that disproportionately favours higher-income earners. They would cancel the Conservative Family Tax Cut, an income-splitting measure that benefits the affluent. Both would also cancel the Tory increase in the TFSA, which also largely benefits higher earners. And Trudeau would roll Harper’s universal child care benefit into a new family support program; Mulcair wouldn’t touch it.

The biggest “risk” these changes pose is to the wealthy.

READ MORE: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2015/07/10/mulcair-trudeau-agendas-offer-relief-not-risk-editorial.html