The economy was once again front and centre at Justin Trudeau's campaign stop in Newmarket on Wednesday.
Before jumping into the federal deficit, the Liberal leader pledged a tax refund for teachers and early childhood educators, who buy school supplies with their own money.
"This move only makes sense, after all the government provides tax benefits in so many ways when it comes to education, like tuition and yet our teachers have been overlooked. We’ll change that."
Trudeau insisted the tax credit is necessary to help grow the struggling economy. The plan would apply to $1,000 worth of supplies teachers would buy and repay them up to $150 annually.
"School budgets are extremely tight. It's a good initiative because any money that is coming back are actually going to be used again to purchase school material."
The proposed tax credit is similar to one in Prince Edward Island and the Liberal’s project it will cost $60 million a year. Conservative leader Stephen Harper says it’s worth considering, but accuses Trudeau of copying his party’s policies.
"It certainly sounds like trying to be Conservative and backing away from his previous record of opposing benefits for teachers, students and families."
The Liberal leader is in the midst of campaign stops in the vote rich Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, which is a key battleground for all parties. York Region is a Conservative strong hold – Newmarket-Aurora has been Tory blue since 2008 and the Liberals are hoping lawyer Kyle Peterson can take back the riding. It's his second crack at federal politics.
“I've been knocking on doors since February and I’ve been hearing we gotta get a new government in there and events like this, when you get great turnouts and announcements like this locally will also help the campaign,” he says.
Lois Brown is the Conservative incumbent and seeking her third term. Brown defeated Peterson in the last election by more than 17,000 votes.
“We will continue to work hard and take nothing for granted and what I’m hearing at the doors is all about the economy. People are concerned about keeping Canada prosperous and we're going to continue on those policies we've introduced over the last couple of years.”
Social worker Yvonne Kelly is on the ballot for the NDP and is hoping the parties surge in the polls will build momentum and engage voters locally.
Trudeau is the second leader to visit this part of York Region. Stephen Harper made a campaign stop in the Newmarket area last week. There has been no word yet from the other parties as to if and when their leaders will make a stop in the region.
