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By Julie Gordon
RICHMOND, British Columbia, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Canada's
ruling Conservatives on Friday pledged to run a series of modest
budget surpluses if they retain power in an Oct 19 election,
seeking to portray themselves as the best economic stewards in a
race that looks too tight to call.
Recent polls indicate Harper could well lose power after
almost a decade in office focused on cutting taxes, implementing
tougher sentences for crime and trying to support the energy
industry.
The Conservatives - who say opposition parties will wreck
the economy if they take office - predicted surpluses of C$1.67
billion ($1.29 billion) in 2016/17, C$1.42 billion in 2017/18,
C$947.8 million in 2018/19 and C$2.41 billion on 2019/20.
"While the Canadian economy is stronger than other
countries', it remains fragile and needs to be protected," Prime
Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement accompanying
documents detailing the costs of his election promises.
"Keeping the budget balanced, lowering taxes, and making
affordable, targeted investments is the right plan in the face
of global economic turmoil."
The opposition Liberals and New Democrats say Harper has
grossly mismanaged the economy.
The Liberals, who currently enjoy a narrow poll lead, are
proposing to run three years of budget deficits to fund a major
infrastructure fund.
Data released by Statistics Canada on Friday showed that
while the economy added 12,100 jobs in September, the
unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to a one-and-a-half-year
high as more people sought work.
Separately, a Bank of Canada quarterly survey of firms
revealed overall business sentiment remains tepid.
The New Democrats, who are promising to balance the budget
if they take power, on Friday released their full platform and
promised to kick-start the economy and create jobs.
($1=$1.29 Canadian)
(Writing by David Ljunggren; Editing by Jeffrey Hodgson and
Chizu Nomiyama)