Unemployment jumps under Harper’s economic mismanagement

September 4, 2015

 Harper can’t be trusted, continues to mislead about struggling economy 

OTTAWA – Just days after Statistics Canada confirmed Canada is in recession, today’s monthly job numbers show unemployment jumped to seven percent in August and that youth unemployment remains stubbornly high. There are now 193,500 fewer jobs for young Canadians than before the 2008 downturn.

“Stephen Harper won’t admit the truth, but StatsCan confirmed this week that Canada is in recession and unemployment is rising. The youth unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at almost twice the national average,” said Liberal candidate for Kings—Hants, Scott Brison. “But this isn’t just about one month or even one year; the economy has suffered and the middle class has fallen behind under Stephen Harper’s decade of economic mismanagement. Harper has the worst economic record of any Prime Minister since the Great Depression.”

“Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are the only party offering real change from Harper’s failed approach. It’s clear this election is a choice between smart investments that create jobs and growth, or cuts that will slow our economy further,” said Mr. Brison.

“Both Stephen Harper and Thomas Mulcair do not think we need to invest to generate the kind of economic growth the middle class needs,” said Mr. Brison. “By joining Harper in rushing to eliminate the deficit in just six months, the NDP will need to make cuts and break its promises. Mulcair opposes raising taxes on the wealthiest one per cent, he opposes lowering taxes for the middle class, and the NDP will keep sending Harper’s child benefit cheques to millionaires.”

A Liberal government will invest in families, so Canadians can make ends meet; in roads and bridges, so our commutes are faster and safer; and in clean energy, so we can ensure a sustainable environment for our children and grandchildren. Liberals have the strong plan and team to build an economy that works for everyone. That’s what made Canada successful before Harper’s failed economic policies, and it is what will make Canada successful again.