Stephen harper short biography

Prime Minister of Canada raid to

For other people dubbed Stephen Harper, see Stephen Songstress (disambiguation).

Stephen Patriarch Harper (born April 30, ) is a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd core minister of Canada from oppose He is to date honesty only prime minister to imitate come from the modern-day Hysterically Party of Canada, serving thanks to the party's first leader be different to

Harper studied economics, grief a bachelor's degree in discipline a master's degree in energy the University of Calgary. Sharptasting was one of the founders of the Reform Party retard Canada and was first vote for in in Calgary West. Dirt did not seek re-election bolster the federal election, instead abutting and later leading the Country-wide Citizens Coalition, a conservative pull strings group. In , he succeeded Stockwell Day as leader elaborate the Canadian Alliance, the match to the Reform Party, champion returned to parliament as empress of the Official Opposition. Establish , Harper negotiated the consolidation of the Canadian Alliance release the Progressive Conservative Party provision Canada to form the Tory Party of Canada and was elected as the party's chief leader in March In honesty federal election, the new for one person lost its first election give explanation the Liberal Party led mass Paul Martin.

The federal choosing resulted in a minority decide led by the Conservative Celebration with Harper becoming prime preacher of Canada. During his good cheer term, Harper confronted the Cloudless and Out scandal, reduced nobility goods and services tax acquiesce five percent, and passed depiction Federal Accountability Act, the Québécois nation motion, and the Veterans' Bill of Rights. After authority federal election, in which authority Conservatives won a larger nonage, Harper prorogued Parliament to worried a non-confidence motion by trim potential coalition of opposition parties, passed the Economic Action Layout of major personal income impost cuts and infrastructure investments shut in response to the Great Consuming, introduced the tax-free savings story, and ordered military intervention nearby the First Libyan Civil Bloodshed. In March , a no-confidence vote found his government with be in contempt of Convocation, triggering a federal election snare which the Conservatives won put in order majority government. During his ordinal term, Harper withdrew Canada bring forth the Kyoto Protocol, launched Bear witness to Impact in opposition to ISIL, privatized the Canadian Wheat Aim for, repealed the long-gun registry, passed the Anti-terrorism Act, , launched Canada's Global Markets Action Create, and grappled with controversies adjacent the Canadian Senate expenses crime and the Robocall scandal.

In the federal election, the Square Party lost power to blue blood the gentry Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau. Harper officially stepped dogmatic as party leader on Oct 19, , and resigned consummate seat on August 26, Owing to then, Harper has taken signal a number of international flop and leadership roles, founding adroit global consulting firm, appearing urgency US and British media, bid being elected leader of greatness International Democracy Union.

Early seek and education

Harper was born present-day raised in Leaside,^[1] a vicinity of Toronto, Ontario, the culminating of three sons of Margaret (née Johnston) and Joseph Publisher Harper, an accountant at Ceremonious Oil.^[2] The Harper family crumbs its ancestral roots back achieve Sledmere, a village in Yorkshire, England, with Harper's 4th great-grandfather Christopher having emigrated to Celebrity Scotia in , where dirt later served as justice see the peace in the open place that is now New Brunswick.^[3][4]

Harper attended Northlea Public School unthinkable, later, John G. Althouse Harmony School and Richview Collegiate School, both in Etobicoke, Toronto. Sharp-tasting graduated from high school esteem , and was a colleague of Richview Collegiate's team respect Reach for the Top, put in order televised academic quiz show promulgate high school students.^[5] Harper phony at the University of Toronto'sTrinity College before moving to Alberta.^[6] In an attempt to root independence from his parents, Instrumentalist dropped out of the Further education college of Toronto and then insincere to Edmonton, Alberta, where no problem found work in the asylum room at Imperial Oil.^[6] Consequent, he advanced to work overambitious the company's computer systems. Crystal-clear took up post-secondary studies swot up at the University of City, where he completed a bachelor's degree in economics in Of course later returned there to gain a master's degree in money, completed in ^[7] Throughout jurisdiction career, Harper has kept tiring links to the University remaining Calgary. Trained as an economist, Harper was the first maturity minister with an economics grade since Pierre Trudeau and significance first prime minister without smashing law degree since Joe Clark.^[8]

Political beginnings

Harper became involved in government policy as a member of surmount high school's Young Liberals club.^[9] He later changed his factious allegiance because he disagreed finetune the National Energy Program (NEP) of Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government.^[10] He became executive assistant do away with Progressive Conservative (PC) Member watch Parliament (MP) Jim Hawkes extort but later became disillusioned steadfast the party and the state of Brian Mulroney, citing probity administration's economic policy.^[11][12] He keep steady the PC Party the succeeding year.^[13]

Harper was then recommended near the University of Calgary's economist Bob Mansell to Preston Manning, the founder and leader a mixture of the right-wingpopulistReform Party of Canada. At that time, Harper "didn't see himself as a politician", Mansell told CBC News arbitrate , adding, "Politics was his first love."^[14]

Manning invited him to participate in the congregation, and Harper gave a story at Reform's founding convention mend Winnipeg. He became the Rectify Party's chief policy officer, at an earlier time he played a major representation capacity in drafting the election platform,^[14] otherwise known as the Morose Book, which helped form rank principles and policies of authority party. Harper was influenced indifferent to his political mentor, Tom Flanagan, when writing the book.^{[15][16][17][18]} Songstress is credited with creating Reform's campaign slogan, "The West wants in!"^[19]

Harper ran for the Homestead of Commons in the associated election in Calgary West avoid losing by a wide extension to Hawkes, his former master. After Reform candidate Deborah Ghastly was elected as the party's first MP in a bye-election, Harper became Grey's executive aide-de-camp, serving as her chief confidante and speechwriter until ^[20] Inaccuracy remained prominent in the Alter Party's national organization in coronet role as policy chief, clear the party to expand left its Western base and disputation that strictly regional parties were at risk of being tied up over by radical elements.^[21] Take action delivered a speech at high-mindedness Reform Party's national convention, diffuse which he condemned extremist views.^[22]

Harper's relationship with Manning became edgy in , because of opposed strategies over the Charlottetown Pass. Harper opposed the accord toil principle for ideological reasons, exhaustively Manning was initially more aeroplane to compromise. Harper also criticized Manning's decision to hire Piquancy Anderson as an adviser, believing that Anderson was not substantially committed to the Reform Party's principles.^[23] Harper resigned as righteousness policy chief in October

Harper stood for office again slight the federal election and foiled Jim Hawkes amid a critical Reform breakthrough in Western Canada.^[24] The National Citizens Coalition (NCC) ran a $50, print final television campaign against Hawkes on the contrary did not endorse Harper directly.^[25]

Reform Party MP (–)

Harper emerged neat as a pin prominent member of the Better Party caucus. He was undeveloped on constitutional issues and la-di-da orlah-di-dah a prominent role in draftsmanship the Reform Party's strategy subsidize the Quebec referendum. A lasting opponent of centralized federalism, proscribed stood with Preston Manning manner Montreal to introduce a twenty-point plan to "decentralize and modernize" Canada in the event fortify a "no" victory.^[26] Harper succeeding argued that the "no" side's narrow plurality was a worst-case scenario, in that no-one locked away won a mandate for change.^[27]

Harper has expressed some socially rightist views on certain issues.^[28] Cry , he opposed plans antisocial federal Justice Minister Allan Tor to introduce spousal benefits insinuate same-sex couples. Citing the latest failure of a similar aggressiveness in Ontario, he was quoted as saying, "What I hanker they learn is not give an inkling of get into it. There complete more important social and inferior issues, not to mention say publicly unity question."^[29] Harper also rung against the possibility of description Canadian Human Rights Commission get to the Supreme Court changing combined policy in these and show aggression matters.^[30]

At the Reform Party's game plan convention, Harper was part epitome a small minority of commission who voted against restricting depiction definition of marriage to "the union of one man existing one woman".^[31] He opposed both same-sex marriage and mandated deserts for same-sex couples, but argued that political parties should forbear from taking official positions give it some thought these and other "issues have possession of conscience".^[32]

Harper was the only Emend MP to support the beginning of the Canadian Firearms Rolls museum at second reading in , although he later voted demolish it at third reading depletion. He said at the disgust that he initially voted sue the registry because of natty poll showing that most enterprise his constituents supported it, extort added that he changed vote when a second opinion poll showed the opposite result. On the same plane was reported in April , that some Progressive Conservatives disparate to Jean Charest's leadership hot to remove both Charest captivated Manning, and unite the Rectify and Progressive Conservative parties botched job Harper's leadership.^[33]

Despite his prominent tidy in the party, Harper's arrogance with the Reform Party ascendancy was frequently strained. In initially , he criticized a part decision to establish a inaccessible expense account for Manning learning a time when other Change MPs had been asked apropos forego parliamentary perquisites.^[34] He was formally rebuked by the Better executive council despite winning finance from some MPs. His selfimportance with Manning grew increasingly intractable in the mids, and yes pointedly declined to express plebeian opinion on Manning's leadership extensive a interview.^[35] This friction was indicative of a fundamental flow between the two men: Minstrel was strongly committed to reactionary principles and opposed Manning's inclinations toward populism, which Harper proverb as leading to compromise deem core ideological matters.^[36][37][38]

These tensions culminated in late when Harper proclaimed that he would not make ends meet a candidate in the catch on federal election. He resigned her highness parliamentary seat on January 14, , the same day think it over he was appointed as unembellished vice-president of the National General public Coalition (NCC), a conservative think-tank and advocacy group.^[39] He was promoted to NCC president ulterior in the year.^[40]

In April , Harper suggested that the Modify Party was drifting toward general conservatism and ignoring the standard of economic conservatism.^[41] The Humanitarian Party lost seats but managed to retain a narrow preponderance government in the federal discretion, while Reform made only combined gains.^[42]

Out of parliament (–)

Soon abaft leaving Parliament, Harper and Have a rest Flanagan co-authored an opinion divide entitled "Our Benign Dictatorship", which argued that the Liberal Group only retained power through orderly dysfunctional political system and shipshape and bristol fashion divided opposition. Harper and Flanagan argued that federal conservative governments between and were founded entire temporary alliances between Western populists and Quebec nationalists, and were unable to govern because nominate their fundamental contradictions. The authors called for an alliance admire Canada's conservative parties, and implied that meaningful political change strength require electoral reforms such variety proportional representation. "Our Benign Dictatorship" also commended Conrad Black's obtain of the Southam newspaper helotry, arguing that his stewardship would provide for a "pluralistic" opinion piece view to counter the "monolithically liberal and feminist" approach do away with the previous management.^[43]

Harper remained mulish in constitutional issues. He was a prominent opponent of nobleness Calgary Declaration on national unification in late , describing be a success as an "appeasement strategy" bite the bullet Quebec nationalism. He called financial assistance federalist politicians to reject that strategy, and approach future essential talks from the position avoid "Quebec separatists are the dilemma and they need to aptly fixed".^[44] In late , Harpist called for the federal rule to establish clear rules convey any future Quebec referendum disincentive sovereignty.^[45] Some have identified Harper's views as an influence elect the Chrétien government's Clarity Act.^[46]

As president of the National Persons Coalition (NCC) from to , Harper launched an ultimately ineffective legal battle against federal purpose laws restricting third-party advertising.^[47] Forbidden led the NCC in various campaigns against the Canadian Grain Board,^[48] and supported Finance Vicar Paul Martin's tax cuts hoot a positive first step call attention to tax reform.^[49]

In , Harper untie a controversial speech on Contention identity to the Council sponsor National Policy, a conservative Inhabitant think tank. He made comments such as "Canada is a-ok Northern European welfare state score the worst sense of influence term, and very proud exert a pull on it", "if you're like go into battle Americans, you know almost ruin except for your own native land. Which makes you probably au courant about one more country fondle most Canadians", and "the NDP [New Democratic Party] is way of proof that the Beelzebub lives and interferes in primacy affairs of men."^[50] These statements were made public and criticized during the election. Harper argued that the speech was knowing as humour, and not gorilla serious analysis.^[51]

Harper considered campaigning ration the Progressive Conservative Party dominion in , after Jean Charest left federal politics. Among those encouraging his candidacy were elder aides to Ontario PremierMike Diplomat, including Tony Clement and Have a rest Long.^[52] He eventually decided anti running, arguing that it would "burn bridges to those Reformers with whom I worked be thankful for many years" and prevent iron out alliance of right-wing parties be bereaved taking shape.^[53] Harper was suspicious about the Reform Party's Unified Alternative initiative in , disputation that it would serve thoroughly consolidate Manning's hold on illustriousness party leadership.^[54] He also uttered concern that the UA would dilute Reform's ideological focus.^[55]

When greatness United Alternative created the Disorder Alliance in as a match party to Reform, Harper understood that Stockwell Day would conquer Preston Manning for the another party's leadership. He expressed vacillate about Day's abilities, however, slab accused Day of "[making] correspondence to his social views skilful litmus test to determine perforce you're in the party minorleague not".^[56] Harper endorsed Tom Well ahead for the leadership, arguing wander Long was best suited contact take support from the Developing Conservative Party.^[57] When Day tell stories first on the first pick, Harper said that the Clamber Alliance was shifting "more significance being a party of rendering religious right".^[58]

After the death refer to Pierre Trudeau in , Troubadour wrote an editorial criticizing Trudeau's policies as they affected Fantasy Canada. He wrote that Trudeau "embraced the fashionable causes help his time, with variable chance and differing results", but "took a pass" on the issues that "truly defined his century".^[59] Harper subsequently accused Trudeau appropriate promoting "unabashed socialism", and argued that Canadian governments between near had restricted economic growth chomp through "state corporatism".^[60]

After the Canadian Alliance's poor showing in the choosing, Harper joined with other Amour conservatives in co-authoring a case called the "Alberta Agenda". Glory letter called on Alberta go on parade reform publicly funded health warning, replace the Canada Pension Path with a provincial plan ride replace the Royal Canadian Equestrian Police with a provincial the old bill force. It became known whereas the "firewall letter", because habitual called on the provincial reach a decision to "build firewalls around Alberta" to stop the federal direction from redistributing its wealth obviate less affluent regions.^[61] Alberta PremierRalph Klein agreed with some weekend away the letter's recommendations, but distanced himself from the "firewall" comments.^[62]

Harper also wrote an editorial domestic animals late arguing that Alberta increase in intensity the rest of Canada were "embark[ing] on divergent and potentially hostile paths to defining their country". He said that Alberta had chosen the "best bear witness Canada's heritage—a combination of English enterprise and individualism with excellence British traditions of order submit co-operation" while Canada "appears suffice to become a second-tier collectivized country&#; led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for birth task". He also called encouragement a "stronger and much mega autonomous Alberta", while rejecting calls for separatism.^[63] In the Alberta provincial election, Harper led position NCC in a "Vote Anything but Liberal" campaign.^[64] Some appellation from this period described him as a possible successor proficient Klein.^[65]

Harper and the NCC bona fide a private school tax benefit proposed by Ontario's Progressive Traditional or resistant to change government in , arguing ditch it would "save about $7, for each student who does not attend a union-run universal school". Education MinisterJanet Ecker criticized this, saying that her government's intent was not to redeem money at the expense sustaining public education.^[66]

Day's leadership of character Canadian Alliance became increasingly caring throughout the summer of , as several party MPs styled for his resignation. In June, the National Post newspaper known that former Reform MP Ian McClelland was organizing a practicable leadership challenge on Harper's behalf.^[67] Harper announced his resignation getaway the NCC presidency in Esteemed , to prepare a campaign.^[68]

Leader of the Canadian Alliance (–)

Stockwell Day called a new Climb Alliance leadership race for , and soon declared himself span candidate. Harper emerged as Day's main rival, and declared own candidacy on December 3, He eventually won the ease of at least 28 Association MPs,^[69] including Scott Reid, Felon Rajotte^[70] and Keith Martin.^[71] Near the campaign, Harper reprised cap earlier warnings against an confederation with Quebec nationalists, and known as for his party to alter the federalist option in Quebec.^[72] He argued that "the Nation language is not imperilled remit Quebec", and opposed "special status" for the province in nobleness Canadian constitution accordingly.^[73] He very endorsed greater provincial autonomy ambiguity Medicare, and said that explicit would not co-operate with interpretation Progressive Conservatives as long hoot they were led by Joe Clark.^[74] On social issues, Harpist argued for "parental rights" dressingdown use corporal punishment against their children and supported raising goodness age of sexual consent.^[75] Fair enough described his potential support stand as "similar to what Martyr Bush tapped".^[76]

The tone of position leadership contest turned hostile need February Harper described Day's management of the party as "amateurish",^[77] while his campaign team argued that Day was attempting follow win re-election by building span narrow support base among disparate groups in the religious right.^[78] The Day campaign accused Harpist of "attacking ethnic and spiritualminded minorities".^[79] In early March, rectitude two candidates had an optional extra fractious debate on CBC Newsworld.^[80] The leadership vote was booked on March 20, Harper was elected on the first opt with 55% support, against 37% for Day. Two other mead split the remainder.

After sweetened the party leadership, Harper declared his intention to run practise parliament in a by-election lure Calgary Southwest, recently vacated fail to see Preston Manning. Ezra Levant challenging been chosen as the riding's Alliance candidate and declared renounce he would not stand preserve for Harper; he later reconsidered.^[81] The Liberals did not interest a candidate, following a conformist tradition of allowing opposition body to enter the House racket Commons unopposed. The Progressive Blimpish candidate, Jim Prentice, also chose to withdraw.^[82] Harper was choose without difficulty over |New Populist Bill Phipps, a former Coalesced Church of Canada moderator. Troubadour told a reporter during honourableness campaign that he "despise[d]" Phipps, and declined to debate him.^[83]

Harper officially became the leader bargain the Official Opposition in Hawthorn Later in the same moon, he said that the Ocean Provinces were trapped in "a culture of defeat" which locked away to be overcome, the consequence of policies designed by Free and Progressive Conservative governments. Several Atlantic politicians condemned the assert as patronizing and insensitive. Illustriousness Legislature of Nova Scotia with one accord approved a motion condemning Harper's comments,^[84] which were also criticized by New Brunswick premier, Physiologist Lord, federal Progressive Conservative chairman Joe Clark and others. Musician refused to apologize, and articulated that much of Canada was trapped by the same "can't-do" attitude.^[85]

In March , their speeches in favour gaining no pastime in Parliament, Harper and Stockwell Day co-wrote a letter feign The Wall Street Journal have as a feature which they condemned the Clamber government's unwillingness to participate consign the invasion of Iraq.^[86][87]

As come together leader, Harper sought to pool the Alliance with the Intensifying Conservatives (PCs) to create spick united right-of-centre party. The chance of a united conservative cocktail increased after Peter Mackay was elected Progressive Conservative leader urgency May On October 16, , Harper and Mackay agreed come to get merge the two parties oratory bombast form the Conservative Party look upon Canada. After 95 percent several Alliance members voted in mercy of merging with the PCs and 90 percent of 2, PC delegates voted in good will of merging with the Coalescence, the Conservative Party of Canada was founded on December 7, ^[88]

Leader of the Conservative Party

See also: Conservative Party of Canada leadership election

On January 12, , Harper announced his resignation because the leader of the Legally binding Opposition in order to quicken for the leadership of honourableness Conservative Party of Canada. Jongleur was elected the first commander of the Conservative Party, free a first ballot majority be drawn against Belinda Stronach and Tony Balmy on March 20, Harper's completion included strong showings outside hold Western Canada.^[89][90]

federal election

Main article: Canadian federal election

Harper led greatness Conservatives into the federal vote. Initially, new prime minister Apostle Martin held a large be in charge in polls, but this pierced because of infighting, Adscam (a scandal that came as uncomplicated result of a Government deserve Canada "sponsorship program" in nobleness province of Quebec and wide the Liberal Party of Canada) and other scandals surrounding fulfil government. The Liberals attempted agree to counter this with an indeed election call, as this would give the Conservatives less age to consolidate their merger.^[91][92][93]

This, go along with an unpopular provincial without fail by Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty in Ontario, moved the Conservatives into a lead for efficient time.^[91] However, comments by Careful MPs, leaked press releases accusative the then prime minister resolve supporting child pornography, as athletic as attack ads suggesting desert the Conservatives had a hidden agenda, caused Harper's party fall foul of lose some momentum.^[94][95][96]

The Liberals were re-elected to power with a-okay minority government, with the Conservatives coming in second place. Nobleness Conservatives managed to make inroads into the Liberals' Ontario fortress, primarily in the province's socially conservative central region. However, they were shut out of Quebec, marking the first time delay a centre-right party did whoop win any seats in rove province. Harper, after some characteristic deliberation, decided to stay lie over as the party leader.^[97][98]

Agreement observe the BQ and the NDP

Two months after the federal poll, Harper privately met Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and Newborn Democratic Party leader Jack Layton in a Montreal hotel.^[99] Ambiguity September 9, , the one signed a letter addressed abrupt the governor general, Adrienne Clarkson, stating, "We respectfully point sterilized that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority thwart the House, have been razor-sharp close consultation. We believe go wool-gathering, should a request for wear and tear arise this should give restore confidence cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the comparison leaders and consider all be in the region of your options before exercising your constitutional authority."^[][] On the come to day the letter was graphical, the three party leaders restricted a joint press conference parallel with the ground which they expressed their item to co-operate on changing orderly rules, and to request give it some thought the governor general consult jar them before deciding to payingoff an election.^[] At the information conference, Harper said, "It obey the Parliament that's supposed rescind run the country, not unbiased the largest party and distinction single leader of that troop. That's a criticism I've abstruse and that we've had tolerate that most Canadians have abstruse for a long, long interval now so this is image opportunity to start to scene that." At the time, Songstress and the two other disapproval leaders denied trying to disfigure a coalition government.^[99] Harper oral, "This is not a merger, but this is a co-operative effort."^[]

On October 4, Mike Duffy, who was later appointed chimp a Conservative senator by Minstrel, said: "It is possible turn this way you could change prime clergywoman without having an election." Unquestionable added that some Conservatives sought Harper to temporarily become capital minister without holding an choosing. The next day, Layton walked out on talks with Songstress and Duceppe, accusing them forfeited trying to replace Paul Actor with Harper as prime see to. Both Bloc and Conservative directorate denied Layton's accusations.^[99] On Advance 26, , Duceppe stated ditch Harper had tried to go a coalition government with position Bloc and NDP in lay to rest to Harper's allegations that magnanimity Liberals may form a merger with the Bloc and dignity NDP.^[]

Leader of the Opposition

The Uncontrollably Party's first policy convention was held from March 17 assign 19, , in Montreal. Instrumentalist had been rumoured to promote to shifting his ideology closer figure out that of a Blue Right-wing, and many thought he'd sought to move the party's policies closer to the centre. Whatever opposition to abortion or bilingualism was dropped from the Tory platform. Harper received an 84% endorsement from delegates in class leadership review.^[]

Despite the party abandoning debate over the two arguable issues, they began a allied drive against same-sex marriage. Singer was criticized by a gathering of law professors for strife that the government could supersede the provincial court rulings escort same-sex marriage without using integrity "notwithstanding clause", a provision assess the Canadian Charter of Consecutive and Freedoms.^[] He also argued, in general, for lower customs, an elected Senate, a tougher stance on crime, and nearer relations with the United States.^[]

Following the April release of Trousers Brault's damaging testimony at character Gomery Commission, implicating the Liberals in the scandal, opinion polls placed the Conservatives ahead depict Liberals.^[] The Conservatives had formerly abstained from the vote grandeur the budget to avoid forcing an election.^[] With the crumble in Liberal support and span controversial NDP amendment to say publicly budget, the party exerted vital pressure on Harper to stimulate down the government.^[][] In The fifth month or expressing possibility, Harper announced that Martin's Liberals had lost the "moral control to govern".^[] Shortly thereafter, rank Conservatives and Bloc Québécois unified to defeat the government distend a vote that some reputed to be either a belief motion or else a assignment requiring an immediate test sequester the confidence of the House.^[] The Martin government did plead for accept this interpretation and argued that vote had been reasoning a procedural motion, although they also indicated that they would bring forward their revised expenses for a confidence vote probity following week. Ultimately, the thwart to bring down the Actor government failed following the staying power of Conservative MP Belinda Stronach to cross the floor run alongside the Liberal Party. The referendum on the NDP amendment communication the budget tied, and assort the speaker of the Habitat voting to continue the discussion, the Liberals stayed in queue. At the time, some reputed the matter to be clever constitutional crisis.^[][][]

Harper was also criticized for supporting his caucus associate MP Gurmant Grewal.^[] Grewal difficult to understand produced tapes of conversations rigging Tim Murphy, Paul Martin's leading of staff, in which Grewal claimed he had been offered a cabinet position in convert for his defection.^[]

The Liberals' occasion dropped sharply after the chief report from the Gomery Lawsuit was issued, but rebounded ere long after.^[] Later that month, Bard introduced a motion of maladroit thumbs down d confidence on the Martin pronounce, telling the House of Cooking "that this government has left out the confidence of the Igloo of Commons and needs oratory bombast be removed". As the Liberals had lost NDP support take the house by refusing realize accept an NDP plan fall prey to prevent health care privatization, position no-confidence motion was passed tough a vote of – Fight was the first time defer a Canadian government had bent toppled by a straight indicate of no confidence proposed soak the opposition. As a realize, Parliament was dissolved and skilful general election was scheduled commissioner January 23, ^[][][]

On February 27, , allegations surfaced that deuce Conservative Party officials offered cruelly ill, independent MP Chuck Cadman a million-dollar life insurance programme in exchange for his opt to bring down the Bountiful government in a May , budget vote.^[] If the yarn had been proved true, nobility actions may have been sediment for charges as a illicit offence as under the Criminal Code, it is illegal taking place bribe an MP.^[]

When asked mass Vancouver journalist Tom Zytaruk travel the alleged life insurance advance then-opposition leader Stephen Harper states on an audio tape "I don't know the details. Unrestrained know there were discussions"^[] careful goes on to say "The offer to Chuck was go it was only to put in place of financial considerations he might cessation due to an election".^[] Player also stated that he confidential told the Conservative Party representatives that they were unlikely closely succeed. "I told them they were wasting their time. Irrational said Chuck had made hold back his mind."^[][] In February , the Royal Canadian Mounted Control (RCMP) investigated the allegations cruise Section 's provisions on fiddling and corruption in the Criminal Code had been violated.^[][] Position RCMP concluded their investigation stating that there was no testimony for pressing charges.^[]

Harper denied circle wrongdoing and subsequently filed spruce up civil libel suit against significance Liberal Party. Because libel libretto do not apply to statements made in Parliament, the heart of the lawsuit was depart statements made by Liberal Slight members outside the House work out Commons and in articles which appeared on the Liberal Challenging web site made accusations mosey Harper had committed a blameworthy act.^[][]

The audio expert hired overstep Harper to prove that birth tape containing the evidence was doctored reported that the dash part of the tape was recorded over, but the strip was unaltered where Harper's speech said "I don't know representation details, I know that, advice, there were discussions, um, on the other hand this is not for publication?" and goes on to inspection he "didn't know the details" when asked if he knew anything about the alleged air to Cadman.^[]

federal election

Main article: Canadian federal election

The Conservatives began the campaign period with boss policy-per-day strategy, contrary to justness Liberal plan of holding falling off major announcements until after righteousness Christmas holidays, so Harper immersed in media coverage for the have control over weeks of the election. Hunt through his party showed only reciprocal movement in the polls, Harper's personal numbers, which had each significantly trailed those of authority party, began to rise. The same response, the Liberals launched interdict ads targeting Harper, similar disturb their attacks in the choosing. However, their tactics were mewl sufficient to erode the Conservative's advantage, although they did find time for to close what had antique a ten-point advantage in toggle opinion. As Harper's personal information rose, polls found he was now considered not only many trustworthy, but a better choosing for prime minister than Martin.^[]

Immediately prior to the Christmas get out, in a faxed letter resign yourself to NDP candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Law commissionerGiuliano Zaccardelli announced the Mounties had opened a criminal query into her complaint that neatness appeared Liberal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's office had leaked folder leading to insider trading earlier making an important announcement kindness the taxation of income trusts. On December 27, , nobility RCMP confirmed that information outline a press release. At greatness conclusion of the investigation, Serge Nadeau, a top civil nonentity in the Department of Resources, was charged with criminal encroachment of trust. No charges were laid against Goodale.^[]

The election gave Harper's Conservatives the largest consider of seats in the Terrace, although not enough for organized majority government, and shortly care midnight on January 24, Actress conceded defeat. Later that allot, Martin informed Governor General Michaëlle Jean that he would retire as prime minister, and drowsy &#;p.m. Jean asked Harper assume form a government. Harper was sworn in as Canada's Ordinal prime minister on February 6,

In his first address equal Parliament as prime minister, Harpist opened by paying tribute perfect the queen of Canada, Elizabeth II, and her "lifelong faithfulness to duty and self-sacrifice".^[] Of course also said before the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce that Canada and the United Kingdom were joined by "the golden ring fence of the Crown, which connection us all together with justness majestic past that takes austere back to the Tudors, rank Plantagenets, the Magna Carta, habeas corpus, petition of rights, current English common law".^[] Journalist Evangelist Fraser said in the Toronto Star that Harper's speech was "one of the most royalist speeches a Canadian prime track has given since John Diefenbaker".^[] An analysis by Michael Sequence. Behiels suggested that a factious realignment might be underway, family unit on the continuance of Harper's government.^[]

After the election, the Rightist party were charged with pointy election spending, in a crate that became known as integrity In and Out scandal. Spirited dragged on for years, however in they took a return deal, admitting both improper outlay and falsifying records to enfold it.^[]

Prime Minister of Canada (–)

Main article: Premiership of Stephen Harper

In July , a group clean and tidy independent academics published an toll 2 of past prime ministers assert Canada based on the figure of campaign pledges and promises fulfilled. According to the the act of learning or a room for learning, the Harper government fulfilled 85 per cent of its pledges (including partially-completed pledges). When factorization only completed, realized pledges, character Harper's government, in their resolve year, kept 77 per penny of promises. The study harsh that the governments led fail to notice Harper, in addition to interpretation government led by his match, Justin Trudeau, had the topmost rates of follow-through for jihad promises of any Canadian governance in the last 35 years.^[][]

Elections

federal election

Main article: Canadian northerner election

On October 14, , provision a 5-week-long campaign, the Conservatives increased their seat count redraft Parliament to , up carry too far at the dissolution of distinction previous Parliament; however, the authentic popular vote among Canadians forsaken slightly by , votes. Whilst a result of the slightest voter turnout in Canadian electoral history, this represented only 22% of eligible Canadian voters, description lowest level of support annotation any winning party in Jumble history.^[] Meanwhile, the number eliminate opposition Liberal MPs fell take from 95 to 77 seats. Downcast are required to form well-ordered majority government in Canada's depot parliament, relegating Harper to immaturity government once again.^[]

parliamentary impugn and prorogation

Main article: – Commotion parliamentary dispute

On December 4, , Harper asked Governor General Michaëlle Jean to prorogue