New Democrats are, once again, using the Tories' words against them.
In another creative move, the NDP has parodied the Conservatives' "interview" spots — those ads where a group of actors comb over fake résumés for prime minister and conclude NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair is a "career politician" Canadians can't afford.
A more popular Tory ad targeting Liberals ends with the same group determining Justin Trudeau's not ready but has "nice hair."
Now, New Democrats have imagined what it might be like if Conservative Leader Stephen Harper was subject to a performance review.
"We've had a lot of complaints," says a woman in the ad.
"Election fraud, bribery…" says another.
"Don't forget Mike Duffy," interjects a man.
The group also criticizes Harper's jobs record — something he's "supposed to be good at."
"Time to let him go," the first woman concludes.
The group goes on to state that Mulcair, with past provincial cabinet experience, is "up for the job" and "ready" — not-so-subtle digs at Trudeau, as well.
"Nice hair, though," a man says of Harper in the kicker.
Liberal candidate Omar Alghabra released a similar cheeky video in June in which Harper's "résumé," particularly on economic matters, is scrutinized.
Conservative spokesperson Stephen Lecce did not find the ad amusing, saying in a statement to The Huffington Post Canada that voters won't be "fooled by the NDP plan to impose an avalanche of taxes on Canadians."
"For the NDP our message is: it's always a bad time," Lecce said.
Ad showing Harper singing no longer on YouTube
Earlier this week, the NDP uploaded a video showing Harper singing the Beatles' tune, "With A Little Help from My Friends," at a National Arts Centre gala in 2009.
As Harper belts out the song, different headlines pop on screen showing the legal troubles of former top Tories and "friends" like Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy.
But by Friday, the ad was no longer available on YouTube "due to a copyright claim by Sony ATV Publishing."
The NDP also released a more serious 60-second spot for television this week – titled "I'm Ready" — in which Mulcair shares a bit of his family history and upbringing.
It ends with Mulcair saying that Canadians are ready for change.
"I'm ready, too," he says.
The NDP is also behind arguably the hardest-hitting ad of the campaign, so far. The spot — titled "Enough" — highlights the various legal problems of former and current Conservatives and ends with ex-MP Dean Del Mastro being led, in shackles, to a police vehicle.
According to Postmedia, the party has not responded to Global News' request to remove the copyrighted Del Mastro footage from the ad.
Though polls suggest the NDP is a front-runner to win in just a few weeks, the party is still lagging behind the Tories and Liberals when it comes to fundraising.
The Canadian Press reported Thursday that, according to Elections Canada returns, the three main national parties spent between 39 and 50 per cent of their campaign budgets — a combined total of $28 million — on TV and radio ads in the 2011 election.
Under the increased campaign spending limits brought in last year by the Harper government, it is expected the Tories, Liberals, and NDP could spend $20 to $30 million each on ad wars this time.
With files from The Canadian Press
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In Photos: Canada Election 2015
