Two important dates in the Tory calendar: it's Stephen Harper's 51st birthday tomorrow and today it's been one month since Michael Ignatieff has asked a question about the economy.
"Since March 29th, Ignatieff has been more focused on Taliban prisoners, supposed scandals (Guergis/Jaffer?), whipping his MPs to support the long-gun registry, and his own book tour rather than the most important issue facing Canadians - the economy," says the latest missive from Conservative Party backroom strategists.
"Avoiding mentioning the economy might be a deliberate strategy from the Liberal Leader, as Canadians know about his plans for the economy," the memo to supporters and MPs says.
Not so, say the Liberals.
In fact, Mr. Ignatieff has held four events this week focused on the economy: a rountable on the forestry; an announcement of a national food policy; a speech to Quebec film and televisioin producers and a townhall meeting on jobs - they just weren't in the House of Commons.
"Maybe the Conservatives should know that talking about the economy is more than Ministers taking calls from a disgraced former colleague peddling his projects," a senior Ignatieff official told The Globe.
But there's more on the economy from the Conservatives.
Tomorrow is the deadline for filing income-tax returns. In recognition of that, Stephen Harper's team have compiled this list of tax statistics:
» 16.6 million Canadians have already filed their taxes
» $16.2-billion has already been issued in refunds
» Average tax return is $80 higher than last year
» The Conservatives say the average Canadian family is saving almost $3,000 per year in tax since they formed government
» In 2009, 488,570 Canadians opted to split their eligible pension income on their income tax and benefit returns.
» Since its introduction, 728,190 Canadians have claimed the public transit tax credit.