No clear winner in first debate

The general consensus appears to be that nobody won or lost last night’s election debate involving four party leaders.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper, the NDP’s Tom Mulcair, Justin Trudeau of the Liberals, and Green leader Elizabeth May spent two hours debating the economy, security, the environment, and other issues.

Within moments of the debate ending, the Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats declared victory for their respective leaders.

Mulcair, touted by Harper as a big-spending, big-taxing party leader, came out early to declare that the biggest threat to Canada is the prospect of another four years with the Conservatives in power.

As the man in charge for almost a decade, the Prime Minister was repeatedly forced to defend his policies.  But he later stood back as Liberal Justin Trudeau, running third in public opinion polls, turned his sights on Mulcair with attacks over the NDP leader’s pledge for special status for Quebec.

All of the leaders are back on the campaign trail today in the run-up to the October 19th election.

Image courtesy Maclean’s/City