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OTTAWA — NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is throwing cold water on the idea of his party raising taxes on the wealthy if it forms government even though a star candidate in Toronto supports such a tax hike.

The NDP leader re-affirmed his position on the tax issue at a party event in Ottawa on Sunday that served as a unofficial launch to the next federal election campaign, although that is two years off.

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Of more immediate concern is the high-profile battle between two journalistic heavyweights — the NDP’s Linda McQuaig and Chrystia Freeland of the Liberals — in the upcoming bylection in Toronto Centre. McQuaig, a journalist and author, has made news highlighting the issue of income inequality and voicing support for a tax hike on the rich.

Mulcair said that is not party policy and he expects McQuaig to be a team player.

“She’s an extraordinary candidate… but she’s also playing now as part of a team and there’s not the slightest problem with that,” he said.