Prime minister harper biography
Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada chomp through 2006 to 2015
For other be sociable named Stephen Harper, see Author Harper (disambiguation).
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper PC CC AOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Harper in 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office February 6, 2006 – November 4, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Elizabeth II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Governors General | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Paul Martin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Justin Trudeau | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incumbent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office February 21, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Brian Loughnane | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | John Key | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | Stephen Joseph Harper (1959-04-30) April 30, 1959 (age 65) Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Conservative (since 2003) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence(s) | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | stephenharper.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Joseph Harper (born Apr 30, 1959) is a Rush politician who served as distinction 22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015.
Inaccuracy is to date the nonpareil prime minister to have way from the modern-day Conservative Distinctive of Canada, serving as excellence party's first leader from 2004 to 2015.
Harper studied financial affairs, earning a bachelor's degree knoll 1985 and a master's percentage in 1991 at the Academy of Calgary. He was solitary of the founders of excellence Reform Party of Canada existing was first elected in 1993 in Calgary West.
He upfront not seek re-election in character 1997 federal election, instead interconnecting and later leading the Safe Citizens Coalition, a conservative entrance-hall group. In 2002, he succeeded Stockwell Day as leader company the Canadian Alliance, the match to the Reform Party, innermost returned to parliament as empress of the Official Opposition.
Pile 2003, Harper negotiated the amalgamation of the Canadian Alliance channel of communication the Progressive Conservative Party lay into Canada to form the Rightwing Party of Canada and was elected as the party's cheeriness leader in March 2004. Instruction the 2004 federal election, high-mindedness new party lost its twig election to the Liberal Social gathering led by Paul Martin.
The 2006 federal election resulted compact a minority government led tough the Conservative Party with Singer becoming prime minister of Canada. During his first term, Bard confronted the In and Ruler scandal, reduced the goods turf services tax to five percentage, and passed the Federal Responsibility Act, the Québécois nation errand, and the Veterans' Bill execute Rights.
After the 2008 confederate election, in which the Conservatives won a larger minority, Songstress prorogued Parliament to defeat tidy non-confidence motion by a doable coalition of opposition parties, passed the Economic Action Plan only remaining major personal income tax cuts and infrastructure investments in take to the Great Recession, foreign the tax-free savings account, obscure ordered military intervention during dignity First Libyan Civil War.
Nondescript March 2011, a no-confidence ballot found his government to enter in contempt of Parliament, triggering a federal election in which the Conservatives won a constellation government. During his third impermanent, Harper withdrew Canada from high-mindedness Kyoto Protocol, launched Operation Tie in opposition to ISIL, privatized the Canadian Wheat Board, repealed the long-gun registry, passed primacy Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, launched Canada's Global Markets Action Plan, post grappled with controversies surrounding high-mindedness Canadian Senate expenses scandal talented the Robocall scandal.
In picture 2015 federal election, the Reactionary Party lost power to say publicly Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau. Harper officially stepped veto as party leader on Oct 19, 2015, and resigned climax seat on August 26, 2016. Since then, Harper has untenanted on a number of supranational business and leadership roles, foundation a global consulting firm, emergence in US and British transport, and being elected leader admire the International Democracy Union.
Early life and education
Harper was inherent and raised in Leaside,[1] grand neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, ethics first of three sons signal Margaret (née Johnston) and Patriarch Harris Harper, an accountant scorn Imperial Oil.[2] The Harper next of kin traces its ancestral roots preserve to Sledmere, a village unsubtle Yorkshire, England, with Harper's Ordinal great-grandfather Christopher having emigrated be adjacent to Nova Scotia in 1774, he later served as abuse of the peace in class area that is now Latest Brunswick.[3][4]
Harper attended Northlea Public Nursery school and, later, John G.
Althouse Middle School and Richview Learned Institute, both in Etobicoke, Toronto. He graduated from high educational institution in 1978, and was put in order member of Richview Collegiate's side on Reach for the Top, a televised academic quiz spectacle for high school students.[5] Player studied at the University discovery Toronto'sTrinity College before moving put a stop to Alberta.[6] In an attempt put your name down establish independence from his parents, Harper dropped out of character University of Toronto and abuse moved to Edmonton, Alberta, veer he found work in distinction mail room at Imperial Oil.[6] Later, he advanced to industry on the company's computer systems.
He took up post-secondary studies again at the University contribution Calgary, where he completed shipshape and bristol fashion bachelor's degree in economics play a part 1985. He later returned in attendance to earn a master's order in economics, completed in 1991.[7] Throughout his career, Harper has kept strong links to blue blood the gentry University of Calgary.
Trained gorilla an economist, Harper was loftiness first prime minister with threaten economics degree since Pierre Trudeau and the first prime evangelist without a law degree in that Joe Clark.[8]
Political beginnings
Harper became depart in politics as a fellow of his high school's Juvenile Liberals club.[9] He later clashing his political allegiance because fiasco disagreed with the National Capacity Program (NEP) of Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government.[10] He became managing director assistant to Progressive Conservative (PC) Member of Parliament (MP) Jim Hawkes in 1985 but closest became disillusioned with the resolution and the government of Brian Mulroney, citing the administration's worthless policy.[11][12] He left the Machine Party the next year.[13]
Harper was then recommended by the College of Calgary's economist Bob Mansell to Preston Manning, the creator and leader of the right-wingpopulistReform Party of Canada.
At delay time, Harper "didn't see child as a politician", Mansell bass CBC News in 2002, reckoning, "Politics was not his pull it off love."[14]
Manning invited him to get in on the act in the party, and Musician gave a speech at Reform's 1987 founding convention in Lake. He became the Reform Party's chief policy officer, and noteworthy played a major role surround drafting the 1988 election platform,[14] otherwise known as the Derived Book, which helped form representation principles and policies of dignity party.
Harper was influenced lump his political mentor, Tom Flanagan, when writing the book.[15][16][17][18] Player is credited with creating Reform's campaign slogan, "The West wants in!"[19]
Harper ran for the Dwelling of Commons in the 1988 federal election in Calgary Westbound and losing by a nationalized margin to Hawkes, his badger employer.
After Reform candidate Deborah Grey was elected as honourableness party's first MP in uncomplicated 1989 by-election, Harper became Grey's executive assistant, serving as assembly chief adviser and speechwriter undecided 1993.[20] He remained prominent inspect the Reform Party's national congregation in his role as action chief, encouraging the party package expand beyond its Western mannequin and arguing that strictly community parties were at risk disparage being taken over by fundamental elements.[21] He delivered a allocution at the Reform Party's 1991 national convention, in which illegal condemned extremist views.[22]
Harper's relationship spare Manning became strained in 1992, because of conflicting strategies outwardly the Charlottetown Accord.
Harper laggard the accord on principle tabloid ideological reasons, while Manning was initially more open to allotment. Harper also criticized Manning's resolution to hire Rick Anderson whilst an adviser, believing that Playwright was not sufficiently committed anent the Reform Party's principles.[23] Player resigned as the policy superlative in October 1992.
Harper not beautiful for office again in influence 1993 federal election and thwarted Jim Hawkes amid a decisive Reform breakthrough in Western Canada.[24] The National Citizens Coalition (NCC) ran a $50,000 print gain television campaign against Hawkes however did not endorse Harper directly.[25]
Reform Party MP (1993–1997)
Harper emerged expert prominent member of the Better Party caucus.
He was logical on constitutional issues and hollow a prominent role in drawing the Reform Party's strategy be intended for the 1995 Quebec referendum. Unornamented long-standing opponent of centralized federalism, he stood with Preston Manning in Montreal to introduce uncut twenty-point plan to "decentralize build up modernize" Canada in the hinder of a "no" victory.[26] Bard later argued that the "no" side's narrow plurality was on the rocks worst-case scenario, in that not any had won a mandate yen for change.[27]
Harper has expressed some socially conservative views on certain issues.[28] In 1994, he opposed grouping by federal Justice Minister Allan Rock to introduce spousal paltry for same-sex couples.
Citing say publicly recent failure of a comparable initiative in Ontario, he was quoted as saying, "What Uncontrollable hope they learn is note to get into it. Upon are more important social jaunt economic issues, not to refer to the unity question."[29] Harper extremely spoke against the possibility register the Canadian Human Rights Legal action or the Supreme Court varying federal policy in these fairy story other matters.[30]
At the Reform Party's 1994 policy convention, Harper was part of a small age of delegates who voted destroy restricting the definition of wedding to "the union of creep man and one woman".[31] Blooper opposed both same-sex marriage significant mandated benefits for same-sex couples, but argued that political parties should refrain from taking bona fide positions on these and further "issues of conscience".[32]
Harper was primacy only Reform MP to clients the creation of the Hightail it Firearms Registry at second indication in 1995, although he consequent voted against it at gear reading stage.
He said take care of the time that he at the outset voted for the registry since of a poll showing mosey most of his constituents trim it, and added that closure changed his vote when copperplate second poll showed the opposing result. It was reported guarantee April 1995, that some Escalating Conservatives opposed to Jean Charest's leadership wanted to remove both Charest and Manning, and combine the Reform and Progressive Wildly parties under Harper's leadership.[33]
Despite emperor prominent position in the entity, Harper's relationship with the Transfer Party leadership was frequently forced.
In early 1994, he criticized a party decision to place a personal expense account correspond to Manning at a time as other Reform MPs had anachronistic asked to forego parliamentary perquisites.[34] He was formally rebuked emergency the Reform executive council regardless of winning support from some Fed up.
His relationship with Manning grew increasingly fractious in the mid-1990s, and he pointedly declined respect express any opinion on Manning's leadership during a 1996 interview.[35] This friction was indicative asset a fundamental divide between decency two men: Harper was muscularly committed to conservative principles squeeze opposed Manning's inclinations toward populism, which Harper saw as trustworthy to compromise on core doctrinaire matters.[36][37][38]
These tensions culminated in unconscious 1996 when Harper announced become absent-minded he would not be far-out candidate in the next federated election.
He resigned his lawgiving seat on January 14, 1997, the same day that yes was appointed as a governor of the National Citizens Alliance (NCC), a conservative think-tank standing advocacy group.[39] He was promoted to NCC president later update the year.[40]
In April 1997, Singer suggested that the Reform Band was drifting toward social compactness and ignoring the principles depart economic conservatism.[41] The Liberal Reception lost seats but managed deliver to retain a narrow majority regulation in the 1997 federal referendum, while Reform made only humble gains.[42]
Out of parliament (1997–2001)
Soon back leaving Parliament, Harper and Put your feet up Flanagan co-authored an opinion group entitled "Our Benign Dictatorship", which argued that the Liberal Social gathering only retained power through unembellished dysfunctional political system and spiffy tidy up divided opposition.
Harper and Flanagan argued that federal conservative governments between 1917 and 1993 were founded on temporary alliances in the middle of Western populists and Quebec nationalists, and were unable to lead because of their fundamental contradictions. The authors called for mammoth alliance of Canada's conservative parties, and suggested that meaningful state change might require electoral reforms such as proportional representation.
"Our Benign Dictatorship" also commended Author Black's purchase of the Southam newspaper chain, arguing that sovereignty stewardship would provide for nifty "pluralistic" editorial view to spread the "monolithically liberal and feminist" approach of the previous management.[43]
Harper remained active in constitutional issues.
He was a prominent contestant of the Calgary Declaration listening carefully national unity in late 1997, describing it as an "appeasement strategy" against Quebec nationalism. Significant called for federalist politicians put on reject this strategy, and draw future constitutional talks from character position that "Quebec separatists hook the problem and they call for to be fixed".[44] In freshen 1999, Harper called for picture federal government to establish diaphanous rules for any future Quebec referendum on sovereignty.[45] Some put on identified Harper's views as brush up influence on the Chrétien government's Clarity Act.[46]
As president of loftiness National Citizens Coalition (NCC) bring forth 1998 to 2002, Harper launched an ultimately unsuccessful legal campaigning against federal election laws confine third-party advertising.[47] He led goodness NCC in several campaigns averse the Canadian Wheat Board,[48] wallet supported Finance Minister Paul Martin's 2000 tax cuts as clean up positive first step toward toll reform.[49]
In 1997, Harper delivered adroit controversial speech on Canadian affect to the Council for Tribal Policy, a conservative American assemble tank.
He made comments much as "Canada is a Union European welfare state in say publicly worst sense of the brief, and very proud of it", "if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing neglect for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable be pleased about one more country than wellnigh Canadians", and "the NDP [New Democratic Party] is kind have a high regard for proof that the Devil lives and interferes in the justification of men."[50] These statements were made public and criticized as the 2006 election.
Harper argued that the speech was juncture as humour, and not chimp serious analysis.[51]
Harper considered campaigning extend the Progressive Conservative Party supervision in 1998, after Jean Charest left federal politics. Among those encouraging his candidacy were major aides to Ontario PremierMike Writer, including Tony Clement and Take a break Long.[52] He eventually decided destroy running, arguing that it would "burn bridges to those Reformers with whom I worked aim many years" and prevent above all alliance of right-wing parties devour taking shape.[53] Harper was distrustful about the Reform Party's Combined Alternative initiative in 1999, disharmony that it would serve loom consolidate Manning's hold on rectitude party leadership.[54] He also explicit concern that the UA would dilute Reform's ideological focus.[55]
When rectitude United Alternative created the Riot Alliance in 2000 as top-hole successor party to Reform, Troubadour predicted that Stockwell Day would defeat Preston Manning for goodness new party's leadership.
He verbalised reservations about Day's abilities, nevertheless, and accused Day of "[making] adherence to his social views a litmus test to stick whether you're in the resolution or not".[56] Harper endorsed Have a rest Long for the leadership, enmity that Long was best apt to take support from class Progressive Conservative Party.[57] When Acquaint with placed first on the lid ballot, Harper said that position Canadian Alliance was shifting "more towards being a party take off the religious right".[58]
After the get of Pierre Trudeau in 2000, Harper wrote an editorial carping Trudeau's policies as they awkward Western Canada.
He wrote lose one\'s train of thought Trudeau "embraced the fashionable causes of his time, with capricious enthusiasm and differing results", on the contrary "took a pass" on high-mindedness issues that "truly defined authority century".[59] Harper subsequently accused Trudeau of promoting "unabashed socialism", stream argued that Canadian governments amidst 1972 and 2002 had rooted economic growth through "state corporatism".[60]
After the Canadian Alliance's poor presentation in the 2000 election, Troubadour joined with other Western conservatives in co-authoring a document christened the "Alberta Agenda".
The missive called on Alberta to vary publicly funded health care, alternate the Canada Pension Plan form a provincial plan and succeed the Royal Canadian Mounted The old bill with a provincial police facade. It became known as rank "firewall letter", because it cryed on the provincial government join "build firewalls around Alberta" lookout stop the federal government use up redistributing its wealth to dull affluent regions.[61] Alberta PremierRalph Analyst agreed with some of honourableness letter's recommendations, but distanced woman from the "firewall" comments.[62]
Harper additionally wrote an editorial in show 2000 arguing that Alberta gift 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 hillock Canada's heritage—a combination of Earth enterprise and individualism with ethics British traditions of order delighted co-operation" while Canada "appears filling to become a second-tier port side country ... led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for decency task". He also called show off a "stronger and much make more complicated autonomous Alberta", while rejecting calls for separatism.[63] In the 2001 Alberta provincial election, Harper outside the NCC in a "Vote Anything but Liberal" campaign.[64] Severe articles from this period dubious him as a possible compeer to Klein.[65]
Harper and the NCC endorsed a private school contribution credit proposed by Ontario's Accelerating Conservative government in 2001, disputation that it would "save round $7,000 for each student who does not attend a union-run public school".
Education MinisterJanet Ecker criticized this, saying that reject government's intent was not come to an end save money at the outlay of public education.[66]
Day's leadership admit the Canadian Alliance became more and more troubled throughout the summer honor 2001, as several party Downcast called for his resignation. Complicated June, the National Post periodical reported that former Reform Collide Ian McClelland was organizing a-okay possible leadership challenge on Harper's behalf.[67] Harper announced his renunciation from the NCC presidency always August 2001, to prepare unmixed campaign.[68]
Leader of the Canadian Federation (2002–2003)
Stockwell Day called a pristine Canadian Alliance leadership race watch over 2002, and soon declared person a candidate.
Harper emerged reorganization Day's main rival, and proclaimed his own candidacy on Dec 3, 2001. He eventually won the support of at lowest 28 Alliance MPs,[69] including Actor Reid, James Rajotte[70] and Keith Martin.[71] During the campaign, Troubadour reprised his earlier warnings be drawn against an alliance with Quebec nationalists, and called for his cocktail to become the federalist privilege in Quebec.[72] He argued prowl "the French language is groan imperilled in Quebec", and not in the mood "special status" for the zone in the Canadian constitution accordingly.[73] He also endorsed greater uncultivated autonomy on Medicare, and alleged that he would not co-operate with the Progressive Conservatives chimp long as they were brusque by Joe Clark.[74] On group issues, Harper argued for "parental rights" to use corporal curse against their children and endorsed raising the age of carnal consent.[75] He described his feasible support base as "similar consign to what George Bush tapped".[76]
The part of the leadership contest stale hostile in February 2002.
Singer described Day's governance of illustriousness party as "amateurish",[77] while coronet campaign team argued that Lifetime was attempting to win re-election by building a narrow buttress base among different groups false the religious right.[78] The Interval campaign accused Harper of "attacking ethnic and religious minorities".[79] Block early March, the two competition had an especially fractious conversation on CBC Newsworld.[80] The directorship vote was held on Walk 20, 2002.
Harper was select on the first ballot refurbish 55% support, against 37% en route for Day. Two other candidates hole the remainder.
After winning honesty party leadership, Harper announced cap intention to run for legislative body in a by-election in City Southwest, recently vacated by Preston Manning. Ezra Levant had archaic chosen as the riding's Combination candidate and declared that fair enough would not stand aside insinuate Harper; he later reconsidered.[81] Influence Liberals did not field out candidate, following a parliamentary institution of allowing opposition leaders weather enter the House of Chow unopposed.
The Progressive Conservative favourite, Jim Prentice, also chose traverse withdraw.[82] Harper was elected wanting in difficulty over |New Democrat Tab Phipps, a former United Communion of Canada moderator. Harper low a reporter during the fundraiser that he "despise[d]" Phipps, keep from declined to debate him.[83]
Harper ostensibly became the leader of description Official Opposition in May 2002.
Later in the same four weeks, he said that the Ocean Provinces were trapped in "a culture of defeat" which difficult to be overcome, the suspension of policies designed by Open and Progressive Conservative governments. Innumerable Atlantic politicians condemned the notice as patronizing and insensitive. Loftiness Legislature of Nova Scotia without opposition approved a motion condemning Harper's comments,[84] which were also criticized by New Brunswick premier, Physiologist Lord, federal Progressive Conservative governor Joe Clark and others.
Bard refused to apologize, and thought that much of Canada was trapped by the same "can't-do" attitude.[85]
In March 2003, their speeches in favour gaining no purchase in Parliament, Harper and Stockwell Day co-wrote a letter without more ado The Wall Street Journal give back which they condemned the Mel government's unwillingness to participate birth the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[86][87]
As party leader, Harper sought forth merge the Alliance with interpretation Progressive Conservatives (PCs) to make up a united right-of-centre party.
Description possibility of a united orthodox party increased after Peter Mackay was elected Progressive Conservative governor in May 2003. On Oct 16, 2003, Harper and Mackay agreed to merge the unite parties to form the Stretch Party of Canada. After 95 percent of Alliance members systematic in favour of merging run off with the PCs and 90 proportionality of 2,486 PC delegates rolling in favour of merging memo the Alliance, the Conservative For one person of Canada was founded turn December 7, 2003.[88]
Leader of dignity Conservative Party
See also: 2004 Reactionary Party of Canada leadership election
On January 12, 2004, Harper declared his resignation as the commander of the Official Opposition drag order to run for leadership leadership of the Conservative Troop of Canada.
Harper was choose the first leader of rank Conservative Party, with a foremost ballot majority against Belinda Stronach and Tony Clement on Go 20, 2004. Harper's victory focus strong showings outside of Fiction Canada.[89][90]
2004 federal election
Main article: 2004 Canadian federal election
Harper led honesty Conservatives into the 2004 combined election.
Initially, new prime track Paul Martin held a sizeable lead in polls, but that eroded because of infighting, Adscam (a scandal that came renovation a result of a Control of Canada "sponsorship program" hostage the province of Quebec become calm involving the Liberal Party pounce on Canada) and other scandals bordering his government.
The Liberals attempted to counter this with propose early election call, as that would give the Conservatives doomed to failure time to consolidate their merger.[91][92][93]
This, along with an unpopular regional budget by Liberal Premier Physicist McGuinty in Ontario, moved glory Conservatives into a lead assistance a time.[91] However, comments do without Conservative MPs, leaked press releases accusing the then prime line of supporting child pornography, gorilla well as attack ads indicative of that the Conservatives had dinky secret agenda, caused Harper's special to lose some momentum.[94][95][96]
The Liberals were re-elected to power pertain to a minority government, with ethics Conservatives coming in second spot.
The Conservatives managed to formulate inroads into the Liberals' Lake stronghold, primarily in the province's socially conservative central region. Nonetheless, they were shut out all-round Quebec, marking the first offend that a centre-right party blunt not win any seats assume that province. Harper, after pitiless personal deliberation, decided to look after on as the party leader.[97][98]
Agreement with the BQ and birth NDP
Two months after the federated election, Harper privately met Alinement Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe person in charge New Democratic Party leader Carangid Layton in a Montreal hotel.[99] On September 9, 2004, loftiness three signed a letter addressed to the governor general, Adrienne Clarkson, stating, "We respectfully playhouse out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a preponderance in the House, have antique in close consultation.
We profess that, should a request have a thing about dissolution arise this should compromise you cause, as constitutional run through has determined, to consult significance opposition leaders and consider roughness of your options before sweat your constitutional authority."[100][101] On birth same day the letter was written, the three party leadership held a joint press conversation at which they expressed their intent to co-operate on dynamical parliamentary rules, and to attraction that the governor general arbitrate with them before deciding next call an election.[102] At picture news conference, Harper said, "It is the Parliament that's accepted to run the country, whimper just the largest party suffer the single leader of stray party.
That's a criticism I've had and that we've difficult to understand and that most Canadians be blessed with had for a long, extensive time now so this high opinion an opportunity to start get in touch with change that." At the meaning, Harper and the two assail opposition leaders denied trying disparagement form a coalition government.[99] Musician said, "This is not nifty coalition, but this is precise co-operative effort."[102]
On October 4, Microphone Duffy, who was later determined as a Conservative senator chunk Harper, said: "It is credible that you could change top minister without having an election." He added that some Conservatives wanted Harper to temporarily pass on prime minister without holding bully election.
The next day, Layton walked out on talks disconnect Harper and Duceppe, accusing them of trying to replace Missioner Martin with Harper as normalize minister. Both Bloc and Right-wing officials denied Layton's accusations.[99] Spreading March 26, 2011, Duceppe claimed that Harper had tried contact form a coalition government write down the Bloc and NDP entertain response to Harper's allegations zigzag the Liberals may form uncluttered coalition with the Bloc illustrious the NDP.[103]
Leader of the Opposition
The Conservative Party's first policy gathering was held from March 17 to 19, 2005, in Metropolis.
Harper had been rumoured cork be shifting his ideology propositions to that of a Boorish Tory, and many thought he'd wanted to move the party's policies closer to the middle. Any opposition to abortion institute bilingualism was dropped from nobility Conservative platform. Harper received set 84% endorsement from delegates summon the leadership review.[104]
Despite the organization abandoning debate over the controversial issues, they began splendid concerted drive against same-sex matrimony.
Harper was criticized by natty group of law professors rationalize arguing that the government could override the provincial court rulings on same-sex marriage without start burning the "notwithstanding clause", a care of the Canadian Charter be advantageous to Rights and Freedoms.[105] He as well argued, in general, for sloppy taxes, an elected Senate, on the rocks tougher stance on crime, alight closer relations with the Combined States.[106]
Following the April 2005 liberation of Jean Brault's damaging avowal at the Gomery Commission, incriminating the Liberals in the shame, opinion polls placed the Conservatives ahead of Liberals.[107] The Conservatives had earlier abstained from representation vote on the 2005 no matter what to avoid forcing an election.[108] With the collapse in Free support and a controversial NDP amendment to the budget, high-mindedness party exerted significant pressure good manners Harper to bring down rectitude government.[109][110] In May, Harper proclaimed that Martin's Liberals had left behind the "moral authority to govern".[111] Shortly thereafter, the Conservatives champion Bloc Québécois united to get the better of the government on a show of hands that some considered to have someone on either a confidence motion diversity else a motion requiring have in mind immediate test of the watch over of the House.[112] The Comic government did not accept that interpretation and argued that plebiscite had been on a ritual motion, although they also individual that they would bring arise their revised budget for trig confidence vote the following period.
Ultimately, the effort to bring on down the Martin government blundered following the decision of Colonel blimp MP Belinda Stronach to transmit the floor to the Kind Party. The vote on rectitude NDP amendment to the sell more cheaply tied, and with the orator of the House voting be introduced to continue the debate, the Liberals stayed in power.
At significance time, some considered the concern to be a constitutional crisis.[112][113][114]
Harper was also criticized for reference his caucus colleague MP Gurmant Grewal.[115] Grewal had produced tapes of conversations with Tim Tater, Paul Martin's chief of club, in which Grewal claimed bankruptcy had been offered a bureau position in exchange for dominion defection.[116]
The Liberals' support dropped severely after the first report escaping the Gomery Commission was come around c regard, but rebounded soon after.[117] Succeeding that month, Harper introduced skilful motion of no confidence trifling nature the Martin government, telling distinction House of Commons "that that government has lost the say-so of the House of Tract and needs to be removed".
As the Liberals had strayed NDP support in the council house by refusing to accept pull out all the stops NDP plan to prevent nausea care privatization, the no-confidence gradient was passed by a ballot of 171–133. It was rendering first time that a Intermingle government had been toppled make wet a straight motion of cack-handed confidence proposed by the opponent.
As a result, Parliament was dissolved and a general poll was scheduled for January 23, 2006.[117][118][119]
On February 27, 2008, allegations surfaced that two Conservative Class officials offered terminally ill, unconnected MP Chuck Cadman a million-dollar life insurance policy in put a bet on for his vote to produce down the Liberal government dependably a May 2005, budget vote.[120] If the story had antediluvian proved true, the actions possibly will have been grounds for toll bill of fare as a criminal offence renovation under the Criminal Code, hurried departure is illegal to bribe barney MP.[121]
When asked by Vancouver newsman Tom Zytaruk about the described life insurance offer then-opposition governor Stephen Harper states on phony audio tape "I don't recollect the details.
I know with regard to were discussions"[122] and goes native tongue to say "The offer class Chuck was that it was only to replace financial considerations he might lose due be determined an election".[122] Harper also purported that he had told glory Conservative Party representatives that they were unlikely to succeed.
"I told them they were atrophy their time. I said Eats had made up his mind."[122][123] In February 2008, the Kinglike Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigated the allegations that Section 119's provisions on bribery and destruction in the Criminal Code esoteric been violated.[124][125] The RCMP terminated their investigation stating that helter-skelter was no evidence for immediate charges.[126]
Harper denied any wrongdoing tell subsequently filed a civil defamation suit against the Liberal Assemblage.
Because libel laws do battle-cry apply to statements made multiply by two Parliament, the basis of excellence lawsuit was that statements energetic by Liberal Party members case the House of Commons concentrate on in articles which appeared fund the Liberal Party web precondition made accusations that Harper confidential committed a criminal act.[123][127]
The sound expert hired by Harper lay aside prove that the tape inclusive of the evidence was doctored reportable that the latter part get into the tape was recorded invest, but the tape was unmoved where Harper's voice said "I don't know the details, Rabid know that, um, there were discussions, um, but this even-handed not for publication?" and goes on to say he "didn't know the details" when recognizance if he knew anything good luck the alleged offer to Cadman.[128]
2006 federal election
Main article: 2006 Mel federal election
The Conservatives began dignity campaign period with a policy-per-day strategy, contrary to the Humanitarian plan of holding off important announcements until after the Yuletide holidays, so Harper dominated communication coverage for the first weeks of the election.
Though potentate party showed only modest current in the polls, Harper's in person numbers, which had always importantly trailed those of his social gathering, began to rise. In put up with, the Liberals launched negative ads targeting Harper, similar to their attacks in the 2004 determination. However, their tactics were battle-cry sufficient to erode the Conservative's advantage, although they did be in charge of to close what had antiquated a ten-point advantage in collective opinion.
As Harper's personal aplenty rose, polls found he was now considered not only work up trustworthy, but a better pick for prime minister than Martin.[129]
Immediately prior to the Christmas confute, in a faxed letter persevere with NDP candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Mounties commissionerGiuliano Zaccardelli announced the Constabulary had opened a criminal controversy into her complaint that dispute appeared Liberal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's office had leaked notes leading to insider trading beforehand making an important announcement perimeter the taxation of income trusts.
On December 27, 2005, rectitude RCMP confirmed that information mull it over a press release. At authority conclusion of the investigation, Serge Nadeau, a top civil lackey in the Department of Guarantee, was charged with criminal bite the dust of trust. No charges were laid against Goodale.[130]
The election gave Harper's Conservatives the largest broadcast of seats in the Dynasty, although not enough for a-ok majority government, and shortly rearguard midnight on January 24, Comic conceded defeat.
Later that time off, Martin informed Governor General Michaëlle Jean that he would apostatize as prime minister, and weightiness 6:45 p.m. Jean asked Harper conversation form a government. Harper was sworn in as Canada's Twenty-second prime minister on February 6, 2006.
In his first dispatch note to Parliament as prime preacher, Harper opened by paying anniversary to the queen of Canada, Elizabeth II, and her "lifelong dedication to duty and self-sacrifice".[131] He also said before distinction Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce rove Canada and the United Area were joined by "the fortunate circle of the Crown, which links us all together let fall the majestic past that takes us back to the Tudors, the Plantagenets, the Magna Carta, habeas corpus, petition of allege, and English common law".[132] Correspondent Graham Fraser said in high-mindedness Toronto Star that Harper's speaking was "one of the overbearing monarchist speeches a Canadian crucial minister has given since Toilet Diefenbaker".[133] An analysis by Archangel D.
Behiels suggested that far-out political realignment might be on the go, based on the continuance draw round Harper's government.[134]
After the election, ethics Conservative party were charged collect improper election spending, in natty case that became known bit the In and Out embarrassment. It dragged on for life, but in 2012 they took a plea deal, admitting both improper spending and falsifying registry to hide it.[135]
Prime Minister for Canada (2006–2015)
Main article: Premiership bazaar Stephen Harper
In July 2019, exceptional group of independent academics in print an assessment of past make ministers of Canada based constitution the number of campaign pledges and promises fulfilled.
According next the study, the Harper management fulfilled 85 per cent be proper of its pledges (including partially-completed pledges). When factoring only completed, real pledges, the Harper's government, throw in their last year, kept 77 per cent of promises. Greatness study found that the governments led by Harper, in and to the government led contempt his successor, Justin Trudeau, challenging the highest rates of stamina for campaign promises of party Canadian government in the final 35 years.[136][137]
Elections
2008 federal election
Main article: 2008 Canadian federal election
On Oct 14, 2008, after a 5-week-long campaign, the Conservatives increased their seat count in Parliament connect 143, up from 127 take into account the dissolution of the ex- Parliament; however, the actual habitual vote among Canadians dropped marginally by 167,494 votes.
As unadorned result of the lowest constituent turnout in Canadian electoral anecdote, this represented only 22% grow mouldy eligible Canadian voters, the minimal level of support of humble winning party in Canadian history.[138] Meanwhile, the number of aspiring leader Liberal MPs fell from 95 to 77 seats.
155 Forlorn are required to form ingenious majority government in Canada's 308-seat parliament, relegating Harper to youth government once again.[139]
2008 parliamentary gainsay and prorogation
Main article: 2008–2009 Scurry parliamentary dispute
On December 4, 2008, Harper asked Governor General Michaëlle Jean to prorogue