WATCH ABOVE: Stephen Harper tried to put a positive spin on the Canadian economy’s negative growth and still refuses to utter the “R” word — recession — on the campaign trail. But his opponents are sharpening their attacks. Jacques Bourbeau reports.
OTTAWA – Fresh data showing that Canada’s economy was technically in a recession in the first half of the year quickly became the highlight on the federal election campaign trail this morning.
Statistics Canada reports the economy contracted at an annual pace of 0.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2015.
It’s the second straight quarter of contraction, fitting the federal government’s definition of a recession.
But Conservative Leader Stephen Harper refused to use the R word during a campaign event in Burlington, Ontario — seizing instead on the finding that G-D-P grew by 0.5 per cent in June.
WATCH: Harper attempts to put positive spin on numbers indicating technical recession
In-Depth: Federal Election 2015
He says that’s a signal that the economy is already bouncing back after a rough few months at the beginning of the year and shows that the Conservative plan of a balanced budget, low taxes and affordable investments is the best course for the country in the face of greater global problems.
But New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair says it’s an objective fact that Harper’s plan is not working — and the only one who doesn’t know it is Stephen Harper.
The N-D-P adds it has a clear plan to create jobs after what it calls Canada’s lost decade under the Conservatives.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says Canadians have been living with the reality of a weak economy for months now, and don’t need official numbers to confirm what they already know.
Trudeau reiterates a Liberal government will run deficits for three years in order to spur growth by investing in infrastructure.
Comments