OTTAWA — Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau are duelling over deficits today in the wake of Statistics Canada's recession pronouncement.
The Conservative and Liberal leaders are offering a sharp difference of opinion on the economic way forward after the agency reported on Tuesday that the economy contracted for a second straight quarter — the technical definition of a recession.
Trudeau says in Trois-Rivieres, Que. that both Harper and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair will have to cut spending to honour their pledges of a balanced budget.
Trudeau says only his plan to run deficits to 2019 and increase infrastructure spending will spur real growth in a slackening economy.
Harper says in North Bay, Ont. that the economy is not doing badly and will grow later this year, so the budget must be balanced.
Mulcair has an event in British Columbia later today.
