The federal NDP is adding specifics to its election platform that it hopes will boost its chances of winning seats in Atlantic Canada in this month's election.



The party's candidates held news conferences around the region Thursday to lay out numbers, mostly dollar figures, that an NDP government would put in place.

The party says it would spend $157 million on infrastructure in New Brunswick over four years.



But Saint John-Rothesay candidate A.J. Griffin, speaking to reporters at her campaign office, was unable to say how the party arrived at that figure.



"We've spent a great deal of time creating these budgets, and if you want, we can provide you with greater details in writing," she said.

"It's too large for a 10-second soundbite."



Griffin was also unable to say whether a promise to restore annual six per cent increases in federal health transfers would take into account New Brunswick's aging population.

Candidate can't give specifics

In a letter to all party leaders in July, Premier Brian Gallant said Ottawa's new per person funding formula penalizes provinces with aging populations, like New Brunswick, because seniors require more expensive care.

Griffin couldn't say whether the NDP promise would address that.

The best way to get change in Ottawa and the only way to stop Stephen Harper is to vote NDP. - A.J. Griffin, NDP candidate





"The costs are all outlined in that document and we can get a further breakdown from the federal party if you so desire," she said.



Campaign officials later explained that the infrastructure amount is based on a plan to increase the proportion of federal gas tax revenue that is turned over to municipalities.



And they said the health transfers would include funding for senior care, though the precise amount to cover aging populations would have to be negotiated with the provinces by an NDP government.



The NDP platform also promises 50,000 child care spaces in Atlantic Canada as part of its national daycare program, and more support for industries in the region such as fishing and forestry.



The release of the platform specifics comes as the NDP is fighting back a push by the Liberals to persuade people to vote strategically.



In Saint John, Liberal candidate Wayne Long has been openly telling voters that he is ahead in polling done by a strategic-voting lobby group, LeadNow, and New Democrats who want to defeat incumbent Conservative Rodney Weston have to vote Liberal.



"We certainly are in that position," he said. 'Anybody who looks at any polling sees that Rodney and I are in a neck-and-neck battle and the NDP is falling off."



Griffin, however, touted the NDP's commitment to change federal policies while running a balanced budget, a contrast with the Liberal plan to run short-term deficits.

"The best way to get change in Ottawa and the only way to stop Stephen Harper is to vote NDP," she said.

Weston, who will benefit if Liberal and NDP voters remain split, says the NDP is still "a serious contender" in Saint John, and he criticized Long for urging strategic voting.



"People don't vote for people based on what you're trying to undo or stop," he said.



But he dismissed the NDP's big-budget promises on infrastructure, saying the Harper Conservatives has already put in place "the largest infrastructure program and the longest-running infrastructure program in Canadian history."

Among other things, that program provided $68 million for an upgrade of the Port of Saint John.



No firm stand on Energy East pipeline

Griffin refused Thursday to come out for or against the Energy East pipeline, a position she has stuck with throughout the campaign.



The proposed pipeline, which would carry Alberta crude to Saint John for export and refining, is popular in the city.

The NDP says it can't say whether the project would be approved because there isn't a proper regulatory mechanism in place.



"Our focus is on establishing credible review processes," she said. "This has not worked so far."



Andrew Graham, the NDP candidate in neighbouring New Brunswick Southwest, went further.

He said approval of Energy East is impossible with "the current degradation of federal oversight" and "the corruption of the National Energy Board," which will be holding hearings into the project.



He also said given the low price of oil, "it is not even worthwhile getting that oil out of the ground. ... It is not feasible."