Tories want to 'dismantle the Canadian state': Layton

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 4, 2006 | 11:23 PM ET

CBC News

In some of his toughest words yet against the Tories, NDP Leader Jack Layton warned that Stephen Harper wants to "dismantle the Canadian state" by giving too much power to the provinces.

Layton, who made the comments aboard a plane as it flew to Winnipeg for a campaign event, mused about the possibility of a minority Conservative government.

"The Conservatives want to dismantle the Canadian state. So does the Bloc," said Layton. "He (Harper) is in favour of dismantling national capacities."

Layton expressed concerns that the Tories could offer too much to the Bloc Quebecois in exchange for their support in Parliament.

He speculated that the first budget under a Conservative minority would include a "massive transfer of tax points to Quebec" to get support from the Bloc.

"[Gilles] Duceppe would be carried across the border on their shoulders and into Quebec."

Layton, whose main target during the campaign has been Liberal Leader Paul Martin, said Harper has run a "smooth" campaign so far.

But he said you can't count out Martin and the Liberals yet.

"There's still a lot of water to go under the bridge," he said. "The Liberals are the ultimate campaigners."