The Liberals tried to turn the page on Justin Trudeau‘s blackface controversy — and one-up their main rivals — with policy announcements Sunday again aimed squarely at middle-class Canadian wallets.
The Conservatives promised more robust support for Canada’s veterans, while the NDP pledged billions in funding to curb the effects of natural disasters on communities.
Campaign-trail discussion largely shifted back to meat-and-potatoes policy after a steady diet of fallout from Trudeau’s blackface scandal.
Recently discovered images showing Trudeau in black or brown makeup at costume events before he entered politics had dominated the last few days of the campaign — offending many, raising questions about the Liberal leader’s judgment and throwing his party’s re-election efforts into disarray.
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Federal Election 2019: Trudeau announces no tax on first $15K earned for middle class -
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Federal Election 2019: Trudeau says Liberals will cut cell phone bills by 25% if re-elected -
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Federal Election 2019: Trudeau says despite not balancing budget by 2019, focus will stay on investing in Canadians -
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Federal Election 2019: Trudeau says becoming MP for Papineau helped him understand reality of racism -
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Federal Election 2019: Trudeau response to more questions over blackface controversy -
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Federal Election 2019: Trudeau says lack of data on guns a result of Conservative actions -
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Federal Election 2019: Trudeau says Liberals will bring in competition if cell phone companies don’t lower prices
Trudeau trekked to a residential neighbourhood in the ethnically diverse Toronto suburb of Brampton, Ont., to announce he would make the first $15,000 of income tax-free for most Canadians if given a new mandate.
The Liberals would raise the basic personal amount by almost $2,000 over four years for people earning under $147,000 a year. It would save the average family $585 a year, Trudeau said.
The announcement follows a pledge from Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer to cut the tax rate on the lowest federal income bracket (up to $47,630) to 13.75 per cent from 15 per cent over four years, which the party says would save a two-income couple earning average salaries about $850 a year.
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Federal Election 2019: Scheer reaffirms plan to reduce home energy costs while visiting St. John’s -
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Federal Election 2019: Scheer vows to clear backlog of Canadian veterans waiting to receive benefits -
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Federal Election 2019: Scheer says they’ll respect courts on safe injection sites, won’t decriminalize all drugs -
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Federal Election 2019: Andrew Scheer says he supports action on climate change -
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Federal Election 2019: Scheer says Conservatives will promote inclusiveness, tackle discrimination -
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Federal Election 2019: Scheer says ‘military covenant’ is about changing culture on how veterans are treated -
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Federal Election 2019: Scheer says Conservatives would clear backlog on veteran benefits, change pensions
Trudeau contrasted his plan with Scheer’s by emphasizing Canada’s wealthiest one per cent would not benefit at all from the Liberal tax cut.
“Our plan lowers taxes the most for people who make less, gives the middle class some breathing room and ensures that the wealthy don’t get an extra hand up,” Trudeau said.
The Liberal leader also promised to cut cellphone bills by 25 per cent. He said he would encourage companies to reduce their bills by that amount over the next two years, and if they are unable to meet that target, the Liberals would introduce further competition.
“Right now, Canadian cellphone plans are among the most expensive in the G7,” Trudeau said.
Rob Ghiz, president and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, said in a statement that wireless services have become less expensive in recent years.
“Wireless prices have already come down roughly 30 per cent over the past three years and they will continue to come down,” he said, referencing a recent report from the CRTC.
“As we enter a world of 5G it is critical that we encourage investment in network technology, the backbone of the Canadian economy. We need to balance driving affordability with investing long-term so Canadians continue to enjoy world-class networks.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who has promised a price cap on cellphone and internet services as well as a telecom consumers’ bill of rights, chided Trudeau for promising to work with telecom firms.
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Federal Election 2019: Singh says NDP will work with provinces, cities to find solution for disaster-impacted residents -
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Federal Election 2019: Singh claims experts say NDP climate plan ‘boldest’ of all parties -
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Federal Election 2019: Jagmeet Singh announces increase to funds for natural disasters -
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Federal Election 2019: Singh says he will fight against economy ‘rigged against young people’
“Again and again, Justin Trudeau says one thing to Canadians before the election but refuses to take on big corporations afterwards,” Singh said.
Scheer, meanwhile. ventured to Prince Edward Island to promise more support for veterans, hoping to reset the relationship between his party and the ex-military community after more than a decade of tensions with previous governments of all political stripes.
The Conservative leader said as prime minister he would clear a backlog of veterans’ benefit applications within two years and create a reliable pension system.
Scheer also promised to strengthen post-service transition supports, help more veterans get service dogs, enshrine in legislation a guarantee that every veteran is treated with respect and gets services in a timely manner and support commemoration projects such as the National Memorial for Canada’s War in Afghanistan.
“As prime minister I will take a personal interest in ensuring the commitments we made today are followed through on,” he said.
During a stop in Gatineau, Que., Singh pledged to add $2.5 billion to the federal government’s disaster mitigation fund. He said the idea is to help people — like those in west Quebec who recently faced severe flooding — avoid disasters and be able to stay in their current homes.
The national Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund has already set aside $2 billion to support large-scale infrastructure programs that help communities better manage such risks.
The federal government says an increasing number of Canadian communities have experienced significant weather-related events and disasters triggered by natural hazards such as floods, wildland fires and droughts _ calamities that are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Singh said “we can’t just close our eyes” to the prospect of more weather-related disasters.
Green Leader Elizabeth May had no big plans Sunday other than a fundraiser in Victoria.
May was in Winnipeg on Saturday to talk up her party’s plans to combat the opioid crisis by decriminalizing drug possession and improving social supports for people who use drugs.
Asked about the proposal Sunday, Scheer said while he would not recriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, the Conservatives think making other drugs legal is a bad idea.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2019.
–With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone, Morgan Lowrie and Global News
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