OTTAWA — Questions about the economy and the federal budget — and whether or not it will be balanced — are dominating the early going today in the federal election campaign.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is in rural eastern Ontario, where's he's promising to spend $200 million over seven years on expanded broadband Internet access for remote areas.
He's also stepping up his attacks on his main rivals as reckless spendthrifts who will pile up deficits and wreck the economy.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is in London, Ont., saying that he has no intention of running a deficit budget — but he has yet to explain how he will finance his campaign promises and stay in the black.
He's also proposing a tax credit for businesses which invest in innovation.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, a former teacher, is offering a tax break for teachers who buy school supplies with their own money.
Trudeau is in the Toronto area, a region which is looming as a major battleground that could make or break political fortunes in the Oct. 19 vote.
