On the same day opposition MPs questioned the government鈥檚 claims of a balanced budget, a new poll suggests the Conservatives may be losing their reputation as the best caretakers of the economy.
The new Nanos Research poll found that 47 per cent of 1,000 people surveyed last week agreed that an NDP election victory would have a positive or somewhat positive impact on the economy. That鈥檚 compared to 41 per cent who said a Liberal win would boost the economy, and 32 per cent who agreed a Conservative victory would help.
The results were somewhat closer when people were asked: 鈥淩egardless of your vote preferences 鈥� which outcome of the next election will have the most positive impact for the Canadian economy?鈥� NDP Leader Tom Mulcair had a slight edge on that question (33.4 per cent) over Stephen Harper (32.5 per cent). Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was in third place (21.3 per cent).
Later on Monday, the Conservative-dominated parliamentary finance committee voted against an opposition motion to study a report released last week from the Parliamentary Budget Office, which projected a $1-billion shortfall in 2015-16. The PBO analysis was based on a recently revised GDP growth forecast from the Bank of Canada.
Had the committee voted to study the PBO report, Finance Minister Joe Oliver might have been forced to testify publicly about whether the government鈥檚 projected $1.4-billion surplus for 2015 remains realistic.
Liberal MP Scott Brison told reporters in Ottawa ahead of the finance committee that he believes Canada is the only G7 country in recession, and that Canada is on track to post a deficit this year.
鈥淚t is clear that the growth projections that the Conservatives were counting on in their budget have not come to fruition,鈥� Brison said.
鈥淚n fact, they were projecting two per cent growth (and) the Bank of Canada is now projecting one per cent (growth).鈥�
Brison said he wants Finance Minister Joe Oliver to make 鈥渇iscal framework鈥� documents prepared for the finance minister available to the public.
鈥淗e鈥檚 hiding that information,鈥� Brison said. 鈥淲hy is the minister hiding the truth from Canadians?鈥�
New Democrat MP Guy Caron told reporters after Monday's meeting that it would be 鈥渋nteresting to hear the finance minister actually explain how he can claim there will be a balanced budget.鈥�
鈥淚 think Canadians are actually entitled to know exactly where we stand in terms of our economic situation, and right now it's clear that the Conservatives aren't interested in bringing the light to this,鈥� Caron added.
On Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told reporters in Regina that his government is 鈥渨ell on track to realize a balanced budget this year鈥� and 鈥渨ell ahead鈥� of its fiscal projections, with a $4-billion surplus in the first two months of fiscal 2015-16.
Later that day, Oliver said the federal treasury had reported a $3.9-billion surplus in April and May.
The NDP鈥檚 apparent strength in the new Nanos poll could suggest a shift in the minds of eligible voters, who have typically preferred the Conservatives on economic questions.
For example, in a Nanos poll of 1,000 eligible voters taken in late March, Canadians were asked which party they trusted most to promote economic growth. At the time, 34.8 per cent chose the Conservatives, 32.8 per cent picked the Liberals and just 14.9 per cent said NDP.
When asked in that same poll which party they trusted most to manage government spending, 35.3 per cent picked the Conservatives, 28.1 per cent said the Liberals and only 18.8 per cent chose the NDP.
Both the new poll and the March survey were conducted using cellphones, landlines and online surveys. The margin of accuracy for a random sample of 1,000 Canadians is 3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20, according to Nanos Research.
With files from The Canadian Press
