Poilievre digs at Carney's 'banker's haircut,' Liberal says his rival hasn't managed a crisis

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's criticisms of Mark Carney got personal on Tuesday, while the Liberal leader hit back at Poilievre's political career.

Poilievre's past swipes at his main political opponent include criticisms that Carney is no different than his predecessor Justin Trudeau and that the Liberal leader co-chaired two investment funds that were registered in Bermuda during his time at Brookfield Asset Management.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Poilievre again levied those criticisms but also added some personal digs.

He said voters shouldn't think Carney is any different from Trudeau "because he has a banker's haircut and wears a pair of blue socks."

Poilievre also narrowed in on Carney's private sector experience, which the Liberal leader has touted during the campaign.

"Mr. Carney is not a businessman. He is a political grifter," Poilievre said Tuesday in response to a question about Carney's past business dealings.

Speaking at a news conference later in the day, Carney took a few digs of his own at Poilievre. The Liberal leader largely aimed at Poilievre's career as an MP, and contrasted that to his experience working as the head of the Bank of Canada with Stephen Harper's government during the 2008 financial crisis.

"Pierre Poilievre was not at any of those tables, was not given any of that responsibility and … in subsequent years has not gained any responsibilities in managing crises," he said. 

Poilievre was an MP in Harper's government during the financial crisis. He was named to Harper's cabinet in 2013.

Carney's comments came in response to a question about Harper endorsing Poilievre during a rally in Edmonton on Monday night.

"I am the only person who can say that both of the men running to be prime minister once worked for me," he told a large crowd of supporters.

Harper leaned into Poilievre's experience as a politician and implied that Carney had parachuted into the job.

"Political experience — elected, accountable political experience — and the capacity for growth with that political experience, that is what Pierre has demonstrated for two decades and that is the single-most important characteristic a prime minister needs," Harper said.

The 36-day campaign is nearing its halfway point.