Mr. Mulcair said Canada’s first “social-democratic” government was within reach, pointing to his party’s accomplishments as the Official Opposition to the Conservative government over the past four years.

“I can’t wait for the progressives in the rest of Canada to join forces with the progressives in Quebec to form the first NDP social-democratic government in the history of Canada,” he said, surrounded by MPs and candidates in Montreal on Tuesday. “The orange wave started here in Quebec, and on Oct. 19, we can complete the job.”

“I think I’ve heard you have a few questions for me,” Mr. Mulcair told the journalists covering the event.

He went on to address a series of matters, namely his party’s nuanced stance against a pipeline that would go through Quebec and his position on a proposed free-trade zone among Pacific countries.

“We cannot approve Energy East without a credible environmental assessment process,” Mr. Mulcair said, stopping short of supporting or opposing the project.

On free trade, he said his party was “enthusiastic” about a proposed deal with Europe, although he added that the NDP has “tough questions” about some of the provisions.

“We are also enthusiastically in favour of a trade deal with our Pacific partners, but what is going to happen? What will be on the table with [Stephen] Harper negotiating right in the middle of the election campaign?” Mr. Mulcair said. “He is weak, he is vulnerable, he was never a good negotiator to begin with.”

The NDP Leader praised Canada’s supply-management system – which could take a hit in the Trans-Pacific Partnership – stating that it has allowed Canadian families to hold on to their farms.
“We are going to stand up strongly and defend, every step of the way, our supply-management system,” Mr. Mulcair said.