Opposition Hits Back at “Pathetic” Tory Attack Ads

Deputy leader Ralph Goodale calls the latest Conservative PR campaign “gutter politics.”

The message from Canada’s federal leaders is clear: “we don’t want an election, but if we do have one, my party will win.” That’s the sentiment today as the Conservatives and opposition parties engage in a campaign-style back-and-forth over a new series of Conservative attack ads calling Michael Ignatieff unpatriotic and Jack Layton dangerously ambitious. Ignatieff said the ads are “personal, lowball attacks” while Layton said the prime minister is “just trying to whip up anger.” The ramped-up rhetoric is a sign Canadians could soon be heading to the polls, but so far no party has committed to triggering an election. That could change however once Parliament resumes at the end of the month and the government tables its budget.