NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is brushing aside premiersā concerns about some his key election promises, including Senate abolishment, the partyās child-care plan and his commitment to balance the books.
Speaking to CTVās Question Period, Mulcair dismissed criticism from Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who recently mocked his suggestion that a federal deficit could be eliminated by getting rid of the Senate.
āWell Iām looking forward to working with Premier Wynne, of course, after the election,ā said Mulcair.
The NDP leader has long promised to abolish the Red Chamber if elected. His plan, however, canāt be executed without the support of the provinces.
And . Wynne has said the plan is unrealistic, while Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard has said abolition would not be in his provinceās interest.
. The plan would require the provinces to pay for 40 per cent of the massive program.
So far, only Manitoba has expressed support for the NDPās daycare plan. But Mulcair is hopeful that he will convince the other provinces once he meets with them. For example, he pointed to potential negotiations with Ontario.
āWe havenāt sat down with them yet,ā said Mulcair. āAnd Iāve always used the Ontario example ā¦ We would take into account the fact that Ontario has two full years of paid kindergarten. That would be part of our analysis when we sit down with them.ā
Mulcair will reveal the full costing of his platform on Wednesday, one day before the second federal leadersā debate. He also said on Question Period that he will focus on his partyās health-care promises next week, including seniors care, the cost of drugs and mental health.
āThere are things that are being left by the wayside and there are demographic changes that are going to call upon us to look at things differently.ā
