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Federal Conservatives are pledging to deliver a permanent tax credit for home renovations if re-elected in October.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper made the pledge Tuesday during a campaign stop in Toronto.

Taxpayers would be eligible to claim up to 15 per cent of the cost of permanent "substantial" renovations to homes, condos and cottages.

The tax credit would apply to renovation costs between $1,000 and $5,000, meaning the most a taxpayer would get back in a year would be $750.

"A permanent Home Renovation Tax Credit will help make it more affordable for Canadians to ensure their home meets their needs," Harper said in a statement.

The move is expected to cost $1.5 billion a year. A spokesperson said the measure would be implemented in he next mandate of a Conservative government but not necessarily in the first year.

The Conservatives served up a similar tax break in 2009 as a temporary measure to spur spending during to the recession.

In Mississauga on Monday, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau attacked the Conservative government's economic record and denounced the New Democrats for having no real economic plan.

Trudeau blamed Harper for the fact Canada is the only G7 country in a recession and says the real risk to the economy would be a re-elected Tory government.

About 250 cheering supporters were on hand as Trudeau unveiled the party's bus -- a sign the Liberals are about to give chase to Harper on the campaign trail.

He called NDP Leader Tom Mulcair's economic strategy a mirage, saying the party's pledge to increase the federal minimum wage would not apply to 99 per cent of workers who earn it.

The Liberal leader said neither the Conservatives or NDP have the courage to do what he'd would: impose higher taxes on the wealthiest Canadians to pay for tax cuts for the middle class.

And he brushed off as a distraction the fact that Harper and the Conservatives have been referring to him simply as "Justin."

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