Quieter weekend on campaign trail

It was a quieter weekend on the campaign trail as leaders were reeling off their televised debate performances earlier in the week. 

NDP leader Jack Layton’s popularity has increased since the debates. He is taking advantage of this by campaigning in Liberal strongholds in the Atlantic and Quebec. Layton claims that the NDP and Liberals’ platforms are nearly identical. The main difference being that the Liberals have been in power and have broken promises to Canadians. 

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and Conservative leader Stephen Harper will both be in Yellowknife Monday. Harper was in Vancouver on Sunday urging Canadians to vote in a majority Conservative government. He said it would be the only way to stop the resurgence of separatists in Quebec.

Ignatieff campaigned with former prime minister Paul Martin. They focused on the Liberals’ reputation as pioneers of the Canadian health care system. 

Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe will be in Montreal Monday giving several speeches to members of the art and culture communities. 

Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois urged over 1,700 delegates to back the Bloc in the May 2 election at a PQ convention on Sunday. Marois received a 93 per cent confidence vote from Parti Quebecois members.