OTTAWA — Bread and butter issues are typically top of mind for Canadians when they decide how to cast their ballots. So tonight’s debate on the economy is crucial for all three of the main party leaders. Here are five things to watch for:
CONSERVATIVES
The leaders will doubtless argue about whether Canada is currently in recession and whether the federal books will fall back into deficit again this year. But in the face of undisputed anaemic economic growth, can Stephen Harper convincingly make his case that the Conservative government’s low taxes, balanced budget approach has put the country on the right track?
NDP
The NDP has never formed government federally. Can Leader Tom Mulcair overcome lingering qualms about a New Democrat government’s ability to be prudent fiscal managers, convincingly making the case that he can pay for all his campaign promises and still balance the books? And can he make that case without alienating progressive voters who may favour a more activist government?
LIBERALS
Polls suggest the Liberals have struck a chord with their plan to run deficits of up to $10 billion in each of the next three years in order to stimulate economic growth with massive investments in infrastructure. But can Leader Justin Trudeau overcome Canadians’ malaise about his own inexperience and perceptions, fed by incessant Conservative advertising that he’s “not ready” to take charge of the country’s fragile economy?
CONFUSION
By the time the debate’s all over, will Canadians have any clearer idea of how each party would manage the economy or the country’s books? Each of the parties has accused the others of hiding massive spending cuts and/or billions in additional spending and/or massive tax hikes, with each producing wildly different numbers to back up the accusations. If the leaders continue in the same vein, viewers may well decide they can’t believe any of them.
GREENS
Will Elizabeth May manage to crash the party? The Green Party leader wasn’t invited but she’s determined to muscle her way into the discussion. She’ll be in Victoria, videotaping a steady stream of comments, ripostes and reality checks and posting them on Twitter as the debate progresses.
