Dozens of Tories were making public appearances across Canada on Thursday, as the Harper government touted its economic action plan in advance of an expected election season.
Eighty Conservative MPs were involved in Thursday's cross-country blitz, with the media being invited to every event.
Many MPs sent out invitations asking members of the media to attend "an important infrastructure event" in their local riding. In some cases, the invitations gave more specific information about the local Feb. 24 event taking place.
Heritage Minister James Moore, Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Josee Verner and Transport Minister Chuck Strahl are among the cabinet ministers taking part in a one-day public relations campaign that involves more than half the elected Conservative members. Senators and backbenchers are also taking part.
The move has sparked angry reaction from the Liberals and the New Democrats, both of whom characterized it as a waste of public money during what may be the lead-up to an election.
On Twitter, Liberal finance critic Scott Brison seemed to be channeling the campaign language Toronto Mayor Rob Ford when he wrote that it's time "to stop the Harper Conservatives gravy train and show some respect for taxpayers" rather than "spending tax dollars like monopoly money."
NDP leader Jack Layton struck a similar chord on CTV's Power Play.
"You can't turn on your television without seeing our tax dollars being spent on government adds for just about every topic under the sun. And now they're spending lots of money flying ministers -- even unelected senators -- around to participate in announcements about how Canadians' money was spent."
The Conservative government has previously promoted its economic action plan with a flashy taxpayer-funded website, which was carefully designed as part of a larger strategy to focus public attention on Ottawa's work on the economy.
Internal government documents obtained by The Canadian Press reveal that the Tories wanted the plan to be presented as "a single, consistent brand…across all departments and agencies."
The more recent campaign to push the Tories' economic plan is also taking place on the Internet.
Dimitri Soudas, the communications director for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, told a reporter on Twitter that the plan helped "create more than 450,000 jobs and economic growth."
The Conservative government is due to table its latest budget on March 22. If the opposition parties reject it, Canadians could head to the polls in the late spring.
At the moment, the Tories appear to have some wind in their sails when it comes to their electoral support. Nanos Research reported earlier this week that nearly 40 per cent of committed voters say that the Tories are their top choice.
With files from The Canadian Press
