Thomas Mulcair, the new federal leader of the New Democrats, wants to cast himself as a friend of industry—perhaps even a friend of the oilsands. Since becoming leader, he has seemed eager to prove the NDP would be capable stewards of Canada’s economy. He’s spoken positively about the energy sector while also endorsing lower taxes and distancing himself from the party’s union supporters. Yet his business-friendly views are fickle. In a recent CBC interview, he said the oilsands damaged not only the environment but also the manufacturing sector by artificially inflating the Canadian dollar. So, is Mulcair a friend or foe of corporate Canada? A sampling of his past and present pronouncements suggest he’s likely a bit of both.
