Canada's Conservatives pledge big spending, deficit reduction in election platform

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole speaks during an election campaign visit to North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada September 3, 2021. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier/File Photo/File Photo

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Conservative Party is proposing C$52 billion ($41 billion) in new spending over the next four years to boost growth and create jobs while reducing the deficit more quickly than their Liberal rivals, according to figures released on Wednesday.

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole released his platform the day after the Sept. 20 election was called last month, promising to bring back jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and balance the federal budget in a decade.