Prime Minister Stephen Harper took centre stage Tuesday, unveiling an $8.7-billion election platform with no big surprises and only days left in the campaign to choose Canada's next federal government.
The Tory plan includes a $345 million tariff reduction for the struggling manufacturing sector and $400 million for the aerospace and auto industries.
nic, however, Harper once again suggested new measures are on the way to help the financial system avoid a credit crunch.

Battered by the market meltdown and eroding poll numbers, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper rolled out a cautious platform Tuesday that will cost $8.7 billion over four years and offer modest relief for struggling Canadian manufacturers.
The Tories released their long-anticipated policy book the same day that markets continued their free fall -- with the Toronto Stock Exchange plummeting another 400 points -- and as Harper suggested there's a silver lining in the downturn.
atement shows he's "insensitive and out of touch with ordinary Canadians."

Battered by the market meltdown and eroding poll numbers, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper rolled out a cautious platform Tuesday that will cost $8.7

Andy Clark/ReutersNew Democratic Party Leader Jack Laytonis addresses supporters while holding a rally in local restaurant in Vancouver, Oct. 6, 2008.