The New Democrats have released the party’s first attack ad of the election campaign aimed at Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

The 30-second online-only video targets the Tory government’s handling of the economy, using the tagline, “Mr. Harper, your plan isn’t working.”

The NDP says it hopes to exploit the government’s economic track record – long promoted by Conservatives as their strength – into a weakness.

New Democrats have posted the video online in hopes it gets shared on social media.

Hours later, the Conservatives posted a new attack ad to YouTube that’s not in retaliation against the NDP, but against Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

The Tory ad continues the theme of various office workers reviewing job applicants. It shows a woman shaking her head with the voiceover, “Justin, running our economy? I just can’t imagine it.”

The ad also links Trudeau’s economic policies to the Greek economic crisis.

Conservatives have been accused of being disrespectful and patronizing by referring to the Liberal leader by his first name.

But a party spokesman says the government is simply referring to his first name since that’s how the Liberals have branded their leader.