Article content continued

Harper is the first prime minister who can say, “Which one?” when asked about a recession under his watch, said Mulcair, who notched a significant win when he appeared to elicit an admission from the prime minister that Canada was in a recession.

The economy has been contracting for five months, which means Canada is one month away from the technical definition of another recession, he added.

“I’m not denying that,” Harper replied.

Mulcair did what he needed to do, which was appear prime ministerial, said University of Toronto political science professor Lawrence LeDuc.

“He was very restrained and controlled,” LeDuc said. “He didn’t give a House of Commons performance.”

He directed most of his attacks at Harper in order to give Canadians the impression their choice is between the two of them, LeDuc said.

Tom Mulcair talks like he's telling his mom how to use e-mail. Patient, slow, with just a hint of burning rage. #macdebate —

Honkey Magoo (@kevinjn) August 07, 2015

Mulcair slammed Harper’s approach to fighting terrorism and boosting Canada abroad, saying it has left the country “weaker” on the world stage.

He was the most firm on Senate reform, saying he wants “abolition, pure and simple.”

“Mr. Trudeau thinks we need better senators,” Mulcair said. “I think we need only former senators.”

Mulcair was twice put on the defensive, first by Green party Leader Elizabeth May pressing him for a firm position on the Kinder Morgan pipeline, then by both Trudeau and Harper on Quebec sovereignty.

Mulcair came under attack from both flanks on his position that a bare majority of 50 per cent plus one vote should be sufficient to trigger negotiations on Quebec’s separation from Canada.

“You’re trying to throw gasoline on a fire that isn’t even burning,” Harper said.