The Liberals and Conservatives are both on the campaign trail Thursday, striving to convince voters that they have a plan to save Canada's economy from a U.S.-style meltdown.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper started the day in Richmond, B.C. while Liberal leader Stephane Dion was in Halifax, N.S.
CTV's Chief Political Correspondent Craig Oliver, travelling with Harper, said the campaign has become an "empathy contest" with the Conservatives trying to overcome Liberal accusations that Harper has taken a cold, do-nothing approach to the economy.
The Liberals have repeatedly cited Harper's comments from earlier in the campaign that Canadians weren't worried about losing their homes or their jobs -- suggesting he has shown a lack of sensitivity on the issue.
Dion tried to hammer that message home on Thursday
"In the face of global economic turmoil, Mr. Harper is saying 'laissez faire, I don't care' and singing that same old song, 'don't worry, be happy,'" Dion said.
"With five days left in this election, Mr. Harper has offered nothing to put Canadians' minds at ease, and offers no vision for our country."
The message seems to have gained some traction, with recent polls showing a major bounce back for the Liberals as Conservative support slips.
Dion also called on NDP voters to shore up the Liberals, saying the party shares their values and is "the only party that can stop another Harper government."
CTV's Tom Clark, travelling with Dion, said the Liberals are trying to capitalize on the situation.
"What they're saying is Harper's not showing sensitivity in an economic crisis, so they're really trying to hone this crisis. This is the one they honestly think could really turn this around for them and produce a Liberal surprise next week," he told 麻豆影视net.
Dion's plan would bring recession: Harper
Harper, meanwhile, countered the Liberal accusations Thursday by saying Dion has no plan to solve the financial crisis, and it is the wrong time to introduce his Green Shift carbon tax and change the fundamentals of Canada's economy.
Harper has softened his comments on the economy in recent days, even invoking his mother several times as an example of someone on a fixed income who is closely and anxiously watching the markets.
Speaking in Richmond, Harper said Canada's economy must remain strong in order to deliver the Alzheimer's research funding and national lung plan he announced Thursday, totalling $25 million.
"To carry it out and to continue making progress, we must continue protecting our economy. A re-elected Conservative government is committed to doing just that and that's why we ask Canadians to support us on Oct. 14," Harper said.
Dion's carbon tax plan, he said, would undoubtedly drive Canada into a recession.
Harper also cited a World Economic Forum report released Thursday that said Canada's banking system is the soundest in the world.
Oliver said the Conservatives underestimated the fear the economic turbulence would strike in the hearts of Canadians -- and they are now back-pedaling.
"They made a decision early on -- that in retrospect was clearly the wrong one -- to play the crisis cool, to put on a show of confidence and calm and try to play it down in the minds of Canadians as if they were totally in charge and people shouldn't worry," Oliver told 麻豆影视net.
A Canadian Press Harris-Decima rolling poll released Thursday showed the Conservatives with the support of 32 per cent of respondents, with the Liberals five points back at 27 per cent.
The New Democrats held 19 per cent, while the Greens held 12 per cent and the Bloc Quebecois had eight per cent.
However, Oliver said the Liberals would need to gain about 25 new seats in order to replace the Conservatives in government.
"In terms of where the whole country is going, (the Conservatives) are pretty confident they will not lose the government but I think if you talk to them when they're at ease they'll tell you they've lost the majority," Oliver said.
New Democrat leader Jack Layton is in Sudbury and Espanola in northern Ontario on Thursday.
Green Party leader Elizabeth May is in Sherbrooke, and Antigonish, N.S.
