Keep running deficits until economy stabilizes? Trudeau dodges question

LONDON, Ont. — Justin Trudeau refuses to say if he thinks the federal government should abandon its commitment to a balanced budget given the economic turmoil caused by plunging oil prices.

The Liberal leader says the Bank of Canada's surprise interest rate cut is further proof that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government is on the wrong economic track.

He says the government's priority should be on spurring economic growth and creating jobs — not delivering a $2.4-billion tax cut to the country's wealthiest families.

Some economists say the Conservative government should be investing in things like infrastructure to encourage growth and give up its fixation on balancing the 2015-16 budget after six years of deficits.

But Trudeau isn't going that far.

He dodges the question when asked if it makes more economic sense to continue running a small deficit until the economy stabilizes.