Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said that another minority Parliament would be disastrous for the economy, yet another subtle pitch to Canadians to hand his party a majority government.
"You only got one vote -- vote for the party you think can actually run the economy," Harper said in Saint John, N.B.
"But don't go out and vote just to have an opposition. Because I think if people start voting just for an opposition, we have the risk you have in the United States."
Harper made reference to the two weeks of economic and political turmoil in the United States waiting for the $700 billion bailout bill to pass.
"We don't need a Parliament that acts and functions like the American Congress," Harper said.
"We're Conservatives, we're not in power that often, so whatever mandate we get -- if we get one -- I'll be thankful."
Pollster Peter Donolo of the Strategic Counsel told CTV's Mike Duffy Live that he thought it was a good idea for Harper to stop ignoring the elephant in the room -- that is, the strong possibility of a Tory majority.
He said it was better for Harper to make a case for a strong mandate than "to pretend that he doesn't want a majority or that he's not near majority territory."
"(Harper) has to make the case why a majority would be a good thing," Donolo said.
Clear difference between Harper and opponents
Harper's comments come after the two leaders' debates, in which there was a clear difference in opinion between his determination of the Canadian economy and the other party leaders.
Harper slammed his opponents, saying the leaders' debates proved the others are good at criticizing and attacking, but have no proactive plans for Canada's economy.
As an example he cited Liberal leader Stephane Dion's announcement that if elected, he would hold 30 days of meetings to decide how to deal with the uncertain economic climate.
Both Dion and NDP Leader Jack Layton continued to campaign on Friday, saying that the Canadian economy is in trouble.
"In the context of an economic crisis, not to act costs too much -- to do nothing is not an option," Dion told a Chamber of Commerce audience in Montreal.
Layton, who was also campaigning in Montreal, also said the economy is in trouble.
"Well guess what, things aren't fine," he said. "It seems to me that last night (in the leaders' debate), Mr. Harper really showed he doesn't understand the impact of losing one's job."
Dion touted his strategy as a vital step to protect Canada's economy from the effects of a U.S. recession.
Dion reversed Harper's criticism of the plan, saying the Conservative leader is in fact the one who is refusing to take action.
"In this week's debates, Mr. Harper said again and again that we don't need to do anything," Dion said.
"All Canada needs to do is 'stay the course.' Well, we know where that course has led us. Mr. Harper has driven our economy into a brick wall. And he has no plan to tackle our current economic challenges or to build a more competitive economy in the long-term."
Dion also took a shot at Harper over recent revelations that a speech he delivered several years ago was largely borrowed from an address by former Australian prime minister John Howard.
"We do not need a plan ghost written in Australia by right-wing politicians that are part of George W. Bush's coalition of the willing. We need a plan that will protect Canadian savings and bring jobs now, a government that will do its duty to protect Canadians and Canadian businesses," Dion said.
New Tory announcement
Harper announced a $2,000 bonus for apprenticeship grads on Friday. Harper said skilled tradespersons are the backbone of the Canadian economy and an essential part of its future success.
The cash bonus incentive is designed to encourage more young people to pursue a career in the trades.
"This new bonus will provide an added incentive for Canadians to finish their training and launch rewarding careers in the trades. This bonus will help apprentices as they start a new career and it will help the community in which they work," Harper said.
He said Canada is experiencing a shortfall of skilled workers such as carpenters, mechanics, welders and chefs who are required to build the infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, schools and hospitals, that Canada's economy requires to continue growing.
Harper said his government has been holding meetings for a year, and already has a plan in place.
12-day countdown
It will be a sprint to the Oct. 14 finish now, with just 12 days left before Canadians go to the polls.
Harper appears to hold a comfortable lead in the race, though poll results suggest he will still fall short of achieving a majority government largely due to a lack of growth in Quebec.
CTV's Parliamentary Correspondent Graham Richardson said Friday that Harper found himself on the defensive in Thursday's debate.
"He was under attack on all sides as expected but I think he fought back in a way that was a bit more energetic than the French debate," Richardson told CTV's Canada AM.
"The other thing that Mr. Harper said that was true was that he was surprised that over four hours of debate in French and English, the opposition parties didn't spend more time talking about what they would do. They spent a lot of time attacking him."
Richardson also said Harper saw that outcome as an advantage, because it gave him the opportunity to discuss his platforms and his record, though he did so under heavy fire.
