they're pretty much all the same on the very limited set of policies that journalists refer to as "the economy". i know voters continually pick this out, and i was pointing out a few weeks ago that it wasn't at all clear what they meant. and, part of the reason is that if the economy is the dominant voting issue then the 60% turnout rates become justified.

tax rates don't affect the economy. nor do budget deficits, in a strict and literal sense.

i'm *not* going to vote on the economy, but, if i were to do so, i would identify the following priorities:

1) canada benefits from a relatively low dollar. i would want to hear the party leaders come out and state their interest rate policies: do they agree with this and how active will they be to maintain a low dollar? this is really the only lever that the government has over the economy. and, there's no need to pretend the bank is or ought to be independent, either.

2) unfortunately, all three of the major parties support existing trade agreements and they all seek to expand them. what i would like to hear is an acknowledgement that the economy has changed for the worse and ideas on how to adjust to these negative changes, should they continue to support the agreements moving forwards. it would also be nice to hear an explanation that isn't transparently false.

3) i would like to hear one of the parties commit to exploring the idea of a guaranteed annual income. i believe that this is one of the biggest changes that is necessary to adjust to the new world order of "free trade" agreements.

4) although it may mean working against the trade agreements, what steps is the government willing to take to stimulate local production for local consumption and thereby reduce the effects of inflation?

it's not tax rates and budget deficits. nobody cares about these things. nor do they have anything to do with the economy, really.

it's unemployment, wage stagnation, inflation, outsourcing, mechanization, food security, reducing the reliance on imports, the technicalities in the trade agreements...

i suppose i should clarify: i would vote based on all or some of this if there existed some kind of option that deviated from the status quo.

www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-leaders-debate-economy-1.3231343