Says Toronto Star 8O
SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is calling it an agenda of hope versus a campaign of fear.
As the federal election campaign entered the final week before Monday's vote, Harper appealed to voters to consider the Tories as the party that truly reflects Canadian values.
It's a claim that Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin has made throughout the campaign in an effort to distinguish himself from his main opponent. But rising polling numbers for the Conservatives suggest the Liberal argument may be wearing thin.
"There are no limits to the future if we live by the best of Canada's values, no limits if we choose an agenda of hope over a campaign of fear," Harper told about 200 supporters at a rally warmed up by New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord. "That's what this week is all about."
Harper said his support has grown substantially in Quebec because voters recognize that the Conservatives offer an honest, constructive alternative to the Liberals or Bloc Quebecois.
"I have refused to be drawn into this tired, endless, pointless debate between a government that uses support for federalism as an excuse for corruption and an opposition that uses corruption as a rationale for keeping separatists in a Parliament they promise to leave."
The Conservative leader also rejected Liberal claims that his campaign promises don't add up and will result in spending cuts and user fees.
That follows report that the Conference Board of Canada was not given two key platform planks when it evaluated the Conservative spending promises as affordable over five years.
Calling himself a guy "who would rather light one candle than promise a million light bulbs," Harper said the conference board stands by their report.
The items in question are a health-care guarantee that would transport patients to other jurisdictions if necessary for timely treatment, and a fix for the so-called fiscal imbalance between the federal and provincial governments.
Harper said the health-care wait time guarantee will be covered by the most recent federal-provincial health funding agreement. As for the fiscal imbalance, some increases to provincial transfer payments are already in the platform, he said, but a Tory government would consult with the provinces before going further.
"There is also flexibility," he said. "There are unallocated surpluses still available for us to have further negotiations on that matter."
Harper did concede that the Conservatives would cut the rate of increase in federal department spending, which he said has outstripped inflation and population growth under the Liberals.
It was Harper's third campaign stop in New Brunswick, where the Tories won only two of 10 seats in 2004. He has been getting enthusiastic help throughout the campaign from Lord, who does not disguised his frosty relations with the federal Liberals.
But Harper remained cautiously understated when asked about the apparently swelling support for the Conservatives.
"I'm pleased with things," he said. "And I'll accept the wisdom of the Canadian people on election day."
SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is calling it an agenda of hope versus a campaign of fear.
As the federal election campaign entered the final week before Monday's vote, Harper appealed to voters to consider the Tories as the party that truly reflects Canadian values.
It's a claim that Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin has made throughout the campaign in an effort to distinguish himself from his main opponent. But rising polling numbers for the Conservatives suggest the Liberal argument may be wearing thin.
"There are no limits to the future if we live by the best of Canada's values, no limits if we choose an agenda of hope over a campaign of fear," Harper told about 200 supporters at a rally warmed up by New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord. "That's what this week is all about."
Harper said his support has grown substantially in Quebec because voters recognize that the Conservatives offer an honest, constructive alternative to the Liberals or Bloc Quebecois.
"I have refused to be drawn into this tired, endless, pointless debate between a government that uses support for federalism as an excuse for corruption and an opposition that uses corruption as a rationale for keeping separatists in a Parliament they promise to leave."
The Conservative leader also rejected Liberal claims that his campaign promises don't add up and will result in spending cuts and user fees.
That follows report that the Conference Board of Canada was not given two key platform planks when it evaluated the Conservative spending promises as affordable over five years.
Calling himself a guy "who would rather light one candle than promise a million light bulbs," Harper said the conference board stands by their report.
The items in question are a health-care guarantee that would transport patients to other jurisdictions if necessary for timely treatment, and a fix for the so-called fiscal imbalance between the federal and provincial governments.
Harper said the health-care wait time guarantee will be covered by the most recent federal-provincial health funding agreement. As for the fiscal imbalance, some increases to provincial transfer payments are already in the platform, he said, but a Tory government would consult with the provinces before going further.
"There is also flexibility," he said. "There are unallocated surpluses still available for us to have further negotiations on that matter."
Harper did concede that the Conservatives would cut the rate of increase in federal department spending, which he said has outstripped inflation and population growth under the Liberals.
It was Harper's third campaign stop in New Brunswick, where the Tories won only two of 10 seats in 2004. He has been getting enthusiastic help throughout the campaign from Lord, who does not disguised his frosty relations with the federal Liberals.
But Harper remained cautiously understated when asked about the apparently swelling support for the Conservatives.
"I'm pleased with things," he said. "And I'll accept the wisdom of the Canadian people on election day."
