Vaccines, a snap election, and the cost of the Conservative plan.
All three made an appearance in Gatineau, Quebec as the federal party leaders sparred in French on Wednesday
The Tory’s released the price tag for their platform just hours before the leaders hit the stage, which would add $30 billion to this fiscal year’s forecasted budget deficit of $138.2 billion.
The deficit would then fall substantially each following year, landing at 24.7 billion in 2025-26.
The document is based on the parliamentary budget officer’s election platform costing baseline.
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau went after Conservative leader Erin O’Toole’s position vaccination against COVID-19 and rapid testing are equivalent.
O’Toole countered by saying vaccination is essential but other tools such as rapid testing, masks, and physical distancing play a role.
Trudeau re-iterated he’s seeking a renewed mandate on September 20th because Canadians need to have a say in how we get out of the pandemic.
Both O’Toole and the Green’s Annamie Paul stressed they would aim to steer clear of a snap election, instead focusing on collaboration in the House.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also said he’d respect the mandate Canadians grant the next government.
The leaders will duke it out again at the English leaders’ debate on Thursday night.
