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Justin Trudeau made an assured and predictable start to his career as Liberal leader in the House of Commons today, attempting to make Canada’s middle class a battleground between the Grits and the Harper government.

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Six minutes into his first question period on Monday afternoon as leader, Trudeau stood up and fired his first question, in French, at Prime Minister Stephen Harper about tariffs on imported goods.

“In terms of international trade, this government lacks judgment, especially concerning its new $350-million tax on the middle class,” Trudeau said.

“Doesn’t the government understand that increasing prices on hundreds of basic products represents a heavy burden for all Canadians who are suffering?”

After congratulating Trudeau on his election as Liberal leader, Harper said his party had reduced tariffs for Canadians by more than half a billion dollars per year.

“That is just one of our tax reductions to help Canadians and Mr. Speaker, it is the Liberal Party who voted against all of these tax cut measures for Canadian families,” Harper said.