All of the main party leaders touted their respective economic plans while taking jabs at each other on Tuesday, the day after it was revealed Canada posted a surprise surplus of $1.9 billion.
, on Tuesday morning, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau pledged to boost funding for provincial and territorial training programs by $750 million . He also accused Conservative Leader Stephen Harper of making budget cuts that hurt Canadians last year, as the economy was heading into recession.
What's more, Trudeau said, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair is now supporting those 2014 cuts.
"Now, Tom Mulcair actually says Harper's 2014 budget cuts were good news for Canadians," Trudeau said. "Well he's wrong, because those cuts came as we were headed into a recession, and Canadians were struggling. They still are."
On Monday, Trudeau suggested the surprise surplus was a result of the Conservatives' decision to cut spending in time for the election. He said that, according to the last report of the parliamentary budget officer Canada was headed back into deficit.
On Tuesday, the Liberal leader backtracked slightly, noting that Canadians won't know what was unspent until after Oct. 19.
While in Waterloo, Trudeau accused Mulcair of being unable to answer "basic" questions about how the NDP will pay for the billions of dollars in promises it has made, while also eliminating the deficit in its first year of office, if elected.
"Maybe Tom Mulcair is discovering what he should have known all along: You cannot be Tommy Douglas on a Stephen Harper budget," he said, adding that if Mulcair is to eliminate the deficit he'll have to make further cuts.
The Liberals have pledged to grow the economy through investments in housing and public transit, even if it means modest deficits. The party has vowed to balance the books by 2019.
When asked when the Liberals will provide a costed platform, Trudeau pointed to his party's fiscal framework, which he says shows where the Liberals would spend money, if elected.
Meanwhile, the NDP's costed plan would be released before the leaders' debate scheduled for Thursday.
While promising to commit $100 million to a mental health illness fund, Mulcair defended the NDP's fiscal plan, noting that the New Democrats have different priorities than the other parties. He also criticized the Liberal plan, calling it "reckless."
"Unlike Justin Trudeau's reckless promise of years of deficits, I will balance the budget and improve mental health services for children and youth by asking corporations to pay their fair share," he said."Our plans are stable, well-balanced and sustainable."
, Harper pledged a new $2,000 pension income credit for widowed and single seniors.
The Conservative leader stressed that amid shaky global economic conditions, Canada has remained an "island of stability." However, the economy remains fragile and is at risk depending on the outcome of election day, Harper said.
"On October 19, Canadians will choose whom they trust in a world of economic turmoil to manage and protect this fragile economy and their jobs," he said.
"It is a choice with real consequences for hardworking Canadians and your families. The wrong decision at the national level on taxes, on spending, on deficits will cause real economic consequences."
The Conservative leader said the Tories have the best plan to manage the economy over the next four years. Their plan will create jobs, grow the economy and maintain a balanced budget, all while keeping taxes low.
He accused the NDP and the Liberals of making billions of dollars in campaign promises with money they will only be able to get through raising taxes and running deficits.
Harper highlighted the issue of retirement savings planning, slamming the Liberal and NDP promises to look at expanding CPP contributions.
"Our Conservative approach is to give our seniors and our future seniors choices to let you decide how best to save for your retirement," he said.
