Stephen Harper makes campaign stop in Amherst

Conservative supporters gathered at a school in Amherst for a rally Sunday evening, with Conservative Leader Stephen Harper in attendance.

Harper addressed a crowd of about 300 supporters, touching on the economy and attacking the Liberal and NDPeconomic plans. He lauded his government's child care benefit plan and job creation rates.

CBC reporter Jane Sponagle said the crowd stood and cheered when Harper said he looked forward to a"strong, stable, majority government." She said people responded positively to any mention of lower taxes and joined Harper in finishing the party's catchphrase:"Justin Trudeauis just not ready."

This is Harper's first visit to the Maritimes since the election call Aug. 2.Those who wished to attend the event had to register on the Conservative party'swebsite.

The incumbent in Cumberland-Colchester is Conservative Scott Armstrong.During his speech, Harper referred to Armstrong as a "work horse" not a "show pony." He also said given the number of infrastructure projects in the riding, Armstrong was "expensive" for him.

The riding is being contested by Liberal Bill Casey, who left the Conservative caucus in 2007.

Casey also hosted an event at his home Sunday evening, which is on the same road as the school. In a release, he welcomedpeople to stop by andofferedfree parking. In a jibe at Harper, Casey said he wouldn'tsearch visitors or limit the number of questions people can ask.

"Politicians have to be available. Maybe they don't have to somewhere else. But in Nova Scotia you have to be open and available.Mr. Harper can come here if he wants to. We'd be glad to have him. We have a sign right here, welcome Mr. Harper," said Casey.

Stewiacke mayor Wendy Robinson is running in the riding for the NDP and Jason Blanche is representing the Green Party in the riding.

Harper is expected to move on to Fredericton after leaving Amherst.