OTTAWA — Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau walked off with a skateboard under his arm Wednesday when asked about an international study that contradicts his claims Canada's middle class has faltered under the Harper Conservatives.

The New York Times study found Canada has the richest middle class in the world, with incomes surpassing those of our American counterparts for the first time ever.

After a speech at a skateboard shop in Toronto, Trudeau refused to answer questions from Sun News about the findings.

"We're talking about people here in a way that is giving them the capacity to be part of strong and vibrant communities," Trudeau said.

Though he has struggled to define who belongs to the middle class, Trudeau has made it clear these are the people for whom he wants to fight.

In February, Statistics Canada released a study showing Canadian families' net worth rose 44.5% since 2005 and nearly 80% since 1999.

At the time, Trudeau said he was looking at the statistics on a longer timeline which showed "troubling trendlines."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair did comment on the New York Times study but rejected the notion its conclusions should thrill Canadians.

"Inequality is growing," Mulcair told reporters. "The average Canadian family earns 7% less than they did 35 years ago."

Mulcair said the American economy — which has been in tatters in recent years — shouldn't be used as a yardstick to judge Canada's success. Plus, he added, it's just one study.

"That's not something to take comfort in," he said.

Mulcair went on to blame the Conservatives for not "creating the conditions" that lead to middle class jobs.