On the heels of a new poll that found the NDP leading the Tories in popularity, the Conservative party has launched new Internet attack ads against Tom Mulcair, trying to paint the NDP leader and his party as dangerous to the Canadian economy.
Much like they did to former Liberal leaders Stephane Dion (with an attack ad insisting he’s “not a leader”) and Michael Ignatieff (another ad saying he’s “just visiting”), the Tories are trying to shape public opinion about the official Opposition leader before Canadians really get to know him.
The 30-second videos in English and French, launched on the Conservative party’s website and YouTube, offer somewhat different messages.
The English version (it can be found below), says “Thomas Mulcair’s NDP have some risky economic theories” and highlights the leader’s “Dutch disease” comments about the resource boom inflating the Canadian dollar and hollowing out the manufacturing sector.
“They think strong growth in some industries is a disease that actually needs to be slowed down with more taxes and higher prices,” says the ad, which features ominous music and orange lettering over a dark background.
The French ad doesn’t mention the Dutch disease comments but highlights Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s record on the economy and creating jobs.
The English ad further attacks Mulcair and his party by arguing “their dangerous economic experiments” include a carbon tax “that will raise the price of everything, including gas, groceries and hydro.” It also targets the NDP for opposing trade agreements that would increase exports.
“Risky theories, dangerous economic experiments. We can’t afford Mulcair’s NDP,” the ad concludes, directing people to a Tory party website dedicated to assailing Mulcair and the NDP.
Here’s the video:
