OTTAWA, Oct 2, 2008 (AFP) - Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday blamed current US financial woes and its worldwide fallout on 'irresponsible' policies.

'The economic and financial mess in the US is disastrous and the policies have been irresponsible,' Harper said during a televised political debate ahead of an October 14 vote.

His comments come one day after the US Senate passed a 700-billion-dollar Wall Street rescue package designed to stem the financial crisis.