TAKING OVER: CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT Introduction On May 16, 2006, Prime Minister in , in order to win a clear major- Focus ’s minority Conserva- ity the next time voters cast their ballots. This CBC News in tive government was 100 days old, But Harper’s first 100 days were not Review story exam- having been sworn in on February 6. trouble-free. His new government had ines the new minority federal Two weeks before, on January 23, already come in for a considerable Conservative Harper’s party had eked out a narrow amount of serious criticism for some of government of win over ’s Liberals, form- its policy initiatives. On the very first Prime Minister ing a minority government. The Con- day of the new Conservative adminis- Stephen Harper servatives won the election partly tration, a former Liberal cabinet minis- after its first 100 because of widespread voter disillusion- ter, , was sworn in as a days in office. ment with the Liberals over the federal member of Harper’s cabinet, along with sponsorship scandal and other allega- , a Quebec businessman tions of corruption. But they also gained and Conservative party worker who had YV Sections marked with this support from many voters who believed not even been elected as a member of symbol indicate that their five main priorities, which Parliament. These two appointments content suitable for Harper tirelessly reiterated throughout raised questions about just how com- younger viewers. the campaign, were objectives worth mitted Harper and the Conservatives pursuing. Harper promised that, if were to openness and democracy in elected, the Conservatives would act government, especially after the attacks immediately to reduce the Goods and they had levelled at the Liberals for Services Tax (GST) from seven to five their high-handed approach to running per cent, deliver child-care rebates of the country. As casualties mounted $100 per month per child under six to among Canadian troops in Afghanistan, eligible families, crack down on violent Harper was also criticized for his deci- crime, introduce an accountability act sion to ban media coverage of the that would hold elected officials respon- funerals of returning war dead and to sible for their behaviour, and reduce not lower the flag on the Parliament wait times for medical procedures. Buildings to half-staff. The new The new government’s first Speech government’s apparent lack of enthusi- from the Throne, delivered by Governor asm for keeping Canada’s commitments General Michaëlle Jean at the opening to the Kyoto Protocol on Climate of the new session of Parliament com- Change angered many environmental- mitted the government to achieving ists. In addition, aboriginal groups were these objectives. And the first Conser- displeased by the failure of the budget vative budget, delivered by Finance to meet the financial targets that the Minister on May 2, out- Martin government had agreed to at the lined how the new government would Kelowna First Ministers Conference on pay for them. Opinion polls taken Aboriginal Issues. In mid May, a parlia- during the first 100 days of the Harper mentary committee rejected Harper’s administration indicated that nomination for the head of the new had a generally favourable opinion of public appointments commission, their new government. The Conservatives former energy executive Gwyn Morgan, hoped they could build on the support over allegations that he had made racist they had won in the election, particularly remarks about ethnic minorities in

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 6 Canada and their relationship to crimi- election. It liked the Conservatives’ Quote nal activity. commitments to eliminating the “fiscal University of Al- But along with the criticisms and imbalance” that deprives Quebec of berta political scientist David setbacks, Harper’s government could much-needed federal revenues, and to Taras, who has point to some major policy successes granting major new powers to that studied Harper’s during its first 100 days in office. On province. The , political career for April 27, it reached an important agree- while critical of some of Harper’s many years, ob- ment with the United States to settle the policies, such as the war in Afghanistan serves that, “I don’t long-running softwood lumber dispute, and its backpedalling on Kyoto, found think Canadians love Stephen a pact that had eluded the Liberals for enough common ground with the Harper, and Cana- many years while they were in power. Conservatives in the budget to hold its dians may never Harper had also succeeded in raising his fire for the time being. All the opposi- love Stephen international profile by attending the tion parties recognized the fact that Harper. The ques- North American leaders’ summit in Canadians did not want an early trip back tion is do Canadi- Cancun, Mexico, along with U.S. to the polls and would probably punish ans respect Stephen Harper and will he President George W. Bush and Mexican any party rash enough to trigger such an deliver? He has a President Vicente Fox. During a per- eventuality. As for the journalists and good ride, at least sonal trip to Afghanistan, Harper media covering Harper and his new for another year. praised the work Canadian troops were government, there was considerable And as soon as the doing and strongly committed his frustration at what they viewed as an Liberals have a government to pursuing the objectives attempt to “manage” the news by restrict- leader and the numbers are there, of the multinational force deployed there. ing the questions they were able to ask the I think he’s going Most incoming governments usually Prime Minister at press conferences. to pull the plug enjoy what is known as a “honeymoon Harper and the Conservatives view and go for a major- period,” when their approval ratings their minority government as just a ity” ( Sun, among voters remain high and their first stepping-stone to achieving a majority, May 14, 2006). policy decisions win widespread ap- which would enable them to pursue proval. Whether Harper’s Conservative their agenda without having to worry minority government has experienced about the parliamentary opposition. But such a honeymoon is a matter open to barring any unforeseen surprises, it is some question. As the Official Opposi- unlikely that Canadians will be given tion, the Liberals were unable to mount the opportunity to pass judgment on a concerted challenge to the new gov- their new government before the Liber- ernment, since the party was preoccu- als choose their next leader, in Decem- pied with choosing its next leader from ber 2006. In the meantime, Stephen a crowded field of candidates. The Bloc Harper can be expected to do his best to Québécois, which holds enough seats to raise his profile among Canadians and put Harper’s minority government in create for his party the image of a jeopardy, was unlikely to force an early competent and honest government.

To Consider 1. What are the five priorities that the Conservatives promised to act on during the federal election campaign? 2. Why are the Speech from the Throne and the budget so important for an incoming government? 3. What policies and decisions of the Harper government have been criti- cized? What are some of its main achievements during its first 100 days? 4. How would you rate the Harper government’s first days in office? Explain.

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 7 TAKING OVER: CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT YV Video Review

1. List the top five priorities of the new Harper government. Answer the ques- tions in the spaces provided. Be sure to ask for assistance if you have any blanks after view- ing the video.

2. What was the result of the parliamentary vote on the extension of Canada’s mission to Afghanistan?

3. What major Canadian-American relations issue did the Harper govern- ment resolve in its first 100 days in office?

4. How would you describe Harper’s relations with the media?

5. What are the colours associated with the Conservatives and the Liberals?

______and ______

6. What is a purely political priority for the Harper government?

7. In your opinion, how is the Stephen Harper government doing? Explain your views carefully.

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 8 TAKING OVER: CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT The First 100 Days

Here is a timeline of the main events a provincial premier and are viewed as Further Research occurring during the first 100 days of a noticeable slight to Liberal To learn more the Conservative administration of Premier Dalton McGuinty. Harper and about the work of UNESCO visit http:// Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Charest discuss ways of addressing the portal.unesco.org. “fiscal imbalance” between Ottawa and February 6, 2006 Stephen Harper is the provinces and measures to grant sworn in as Canada’s 22nd prime greater powers to Quebec, including a minister, two weeks after his Conserva- separate seat for the province at tives won a narrow victory over the UNESCO, the United Nations body Liberals in the federal election. Harper responsible for promoting cultural affairs. heads the first federal Conservative February 22 Defence Minister government since , who Gordon O’Connor announces that the lost office in 1993. Harper names 27 government will increase spending and ministers to cabinet positions, a reduc- enlarge the Canadian Forces. It will also tion from the 39 members of the previ- purchase new airplanes and icebreakers ous Paul Martin cabinet. But two ap- for patrolling Canada’s Arctic waters. pointments cause major surprises. O’Connor pledges $5.3-billion in new David Emerson, a MP defence spending over five years, a who had been a member of the Liberal measure designed to increase Canada’s cabinet, is named Minister of Interna- participation in international peacekeep- tional Trade. Michael Fortier, co-chair ing efforts such as the deployment in of the Conservatives’ national cam- Afghanistan. It also represents a clear paign, who was not even a candidate in signal to the United States that the the election, is appointed minister of Harper government is interested in public works and government services establishing greater military co-opera- and given an unelected seat in the tion with that country, a policy the Senate. Both of these appointments previous Liberal government had been trigger widespread outrage and criti- reluctant to follow. cism. Voters in the riding Emerson represents begin collecting March 1 Harper confirms Marshall signatures for a “recall” bid to force Rothstein as Canada’s newest Supreme him to stand for re-election as a Conser- Court judge, after an all-party parlia- vative. Critics of the unelected Senate, mentary committee questioned him on who once believed the Conservatives his legal positions on a number of would reform it, cannot believe that issues. This was the first time a Su- Harper has appointed a loyal Conserva- preme Court nominee had been required tive Party worker to this body. to undergo such a parliamentary review. February 15 Harper holds his first March 3 Federal Ethics Commis- meeting as prime minister with Quebec sioner Bernard Shapiro announces that Premier Jean Charest. He praises the he will investigate Harper’s decision to province’s health-care system, noting appoint David Emerson to the cabinet, especially the role it reserves for the after receiving complaints from opposi- private sector. Harper’s talks with tion MPs that the former Liberal had Charest represent his first meeting with been induced to cross the floor with the

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 9 promise of a cabinet position. Reacting April 4 The new session of Parliament angrily to Shapiro’s announcement, is officially opened in Ottawa. Gover- Harper accuses the Ethics Commis- nor General Michaëlle Jean reads the sioner of partisan political motivations. Speech from the Throne, outlining the March 7 Harper rejects opposition new government’s plans, including the demands for a debate over the five main priorities it campaigned on government’s Afghanistan policies, during the federal election. These are: saying such a debate would endanger 1) reducing the GST from seven to five Canadian troops in the field. Five days per cent, 2) paying families $1 200 for later, he makes a surprise, top-secret every child under 6 years of age per visit to Canadian forces in Kandahar, year, 3) imposing harsher penalties for where he pledges his government to people convicted of violent crimes, 4) keeping its military commitments in introducing measures to create greater Afghanistan. accountability for government officials, and 5) reducing waiting times for Match 13 Michael Wilson, a former medical procedures in hospitals. The Conservative finance minister in Brian speech also includes a promise of an Mulroney’s government, becomes apology to Chinese-Canadians who had Canada’s new ambassador to the United been subjected to a discriminatory head States. Wilson states that he intends to tax early in the 20th century. pursue a more friendly tone and work to achieve greater co-operation in the April 23 Harper’s government comes country’s relations with Washington. in for serious criticism from some of the families of Canadians serving in Af- March 29 Canada becomes the first ghanistan when it announces that it will Western country to sever its relations not lower the flag on the Peace Tower with the newly elected Palestinian of Parliament after four soldiers are killed government headed by the radical in action. A subsequent decision to bar Islamic group Hamas. Foreign Affairs media coverage of the funerals of return- Minister Peter MacKay denounces ing soldiers also arouses public anger. Hamas as a terrorist organization and states that Canada will no longer make April 27 Harper announces that financial contributions to the Palestin- Canada and the United States have ian Authority for humanitarian pur- reached a historic agreement on the poses. The move is a clear indication longstanding B.C. softwood lumber that the new Conservative government exports dispute. Forest industry repre- is shifting Canadian policy in the Middle sentatives and the B.C. provincial East in a much more pro-Israel direction. government hail the deal, but opposi- tion parties accuse Harper of selling out March 30 Harper holds his first face- Canada’s interests to the United States. to-face meetings with U.S. President George W. Bush during the trilateral May 2 Finance Minister Jim Flaherty summit meeting in Cancun, hosted by brings down the Harper government’s Mexican President Vicente Fox. The first federal budget in Parliament. It three leaders commit to pursuing more raises personal income taxes, but offers open trade among their countries under a number of tax credits for families, the North American Free Trade Agree- tradespeople, and students. Flaherty ment (NAFTA) and to taking steps to also commits the government to tighten border security. honouring its promises to deliver a

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 10 $100-per-month allowance to families angrily states that he will no longer Update with pre-school-age children, and to cut convene press conferences with them. On May 30 Stephen the GST by one per cent. Instead, he intends to deliver the Harper initiated a number of federal May 16 A parliamentary committeee government’s message directly to local constitutional rejects Harper’s nominee to lead the media outlets and not to a press gallery reforms, including new public appointments commission. he accuses of harbouring strong anti- fixed election dates Conservative biases. and single eight- Former Encana CEO, Gwyn Morgan, year terms for came in for serious opposition over May 26 Harper announces his inten- Senators. remarks he delivered in a speech in tion to pass legislation setting fixed Toronto criticizing the federal dates for federal elections and changes multiculturalism program and linking in the composition of both the House of gang violence to specific ethnic groups, Commons and the Senate. The propos- such as immigrants from the Caribbean als form part of the government’s and Indochina. “democratic reform” agenda, which it May 16 In her annual report Auditor promised to pursue during the election General Sheila Fraser strongly criti- campaign. Harper also states that he cized the administrative practices of the intends to meet with U.S. President Federal Gun Registry, which the previ- George W. Bush in July to discuss ous Liberal government had established cross-border issues between the two as a measure to control firearms. The countries. Conservatives had promised to abolish May 27 One day after the funeral of the registry on long guns, and Fraser’s Capt. Nichola Goddard, the first female report was seen as a vindication of their Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan, position on the issue. Harper announces that he may revisit May 17 In a tough debate on Canada’s the government’s earlier decision to bar mission to Afghanistan, the Harper media representatives from covering the government narrowly wins the vote to funerals of Canadians killed in action. extend the mission by 149-145. Sources: Toronto Sun, May 14, 2006, pp. 8-9; CBC News Indepth: The 39th Parlia- May 23 After a mass walkout by ment, “Timeline of Harper’s Govern- members of the Ottawa press corps over ment”: www.cbc.ca/news/background/ protests that he is seeking to “manage” parliament39/cabinet.html their reporting of the news, Harper

Activities 1. After studying the timeline above, identify what you consider to be the most important new policy initiatives the Harper government has intro- duced since it took power. Also state whether or not you agree with these policies, and why.

2. After studying the timeline above, identify what you consider to be the most serious problems the Harper government has had to deal with since it took power. Also state whether or not you think its handling of this problem has been satisfactory.

3. After studying the timeline above, evaluate the record of the Harper government to date, and state your opinion on whether you judge it favourably or unfavourably and why.

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 11 TAKING OVER: CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT The Speech from the Throne

The opening of a new session of Parlia- • legislation to clean up government and Further Research ment is an event steeped in ceremony make it more accountable to the To stay informed and tradition. On April 4, before an people, with strict new rules on lobby- about the activities of the Governor assembly of members of Parliament, ing and campaign contributions General visit the senators, diplomats, and other dignitar- • an immediate one-per-cent cut in the official Web site at: ies in the ornate red Senate Chamber, GST, with another one-per-cent cut to www.gg.ca. Governor General Michaëlle Jean follow, to meet the campaign promise delivered the Speech from the Throne. to reduce the tax eventually from As a constitutional monarchy, Canada seven to five per cent recognizes Queen Elizabeth II of the • direct financial support for child care, United Kingdom as its head of state. but no specific mention of the prom- The Governor General, the representa- ised $1 200 per year for families with tive of the monarch in Canada, acts as pre-school-age children the country’s head of state, or official leader. However, the prime minister, as • tougher sentences for violent and the head of the elected government, is repeat offenders, especially those in reality a much more important and convicted of gun crimes, and a greater influential figure. police presence on the streets of One of the main duties of the Gover- Canada’s cities, where a rash of nor General is to read the Speech from shootings had alarmed the public the Throne, a general statement of the during the last election campaign policy goals the government intends to • the promotion of a strong and dy- pursue during a session of Parliament namic Quebec within the Canadian and how it plans to achieve them. This confederation, including a special role Speech from the Throne was particu- for the province in UNESCO, the UN larly significant to Canadians, since it body responsible for culture was the first official indication of the • an official apology for the discrimina- direction the new Conservative minor- tory head tax charged to Chinese ity government of Stephen Harper immigrants to Canada from 1885 to would take in the months to come. The 1923, 800 of whom are still believed speech is written by senior government to be alive today officials, in close collaboration with the • a general promise of action to reform prime minister and key members of his the Canadian Senate cabinet. It is a broad statement of goals In her remarks, the Governor General and objectives but is not intended to stated, “the government’s agenda in serve as a detailed policy blueprint for support of building a stronger Canada specific legislation. will be clear and focused. It will clean The speech the Governor General up government, provide real support to delivered did not contain many sur- ordinary working families, and prises. It basically reiterated the Con- strengthen our federation as well as our servatives’ five main policy priorities role in the world.” This is a good ex- that they had outlined during the elec- ample of the kind of general language tion campaign. Here are its main points: the Speech from the Throne usually

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 12 contains, expressing objectives that no sion over how the speech helped clarify Further Research political party would likely oppose. the new government’s specific policy To stay informed Opposition reaction to the Speech objectives. And NDP MP Pat Martin about Canadian political parties, from the Throne was also largely noted that after years of thick Liberal their leaders and unsurprising and predictable. Members “red books,” full of policies that were policies, it is a good of Parliament from the three opposition promised but never delivered, the idea to refer to parties—the Liberals, Bloc Québécois, Conservatives were now presenting their official Web and NDP—criticized the Speech more Parliament with a very thin “blue sites at: for what did not appear in it than for book,” that was very short on detail. Conservative – www.Conservative.ca, what it contained. For example, Liberal Liberal – environmental critic , a Source: CBC News: “Throne speech www.Liberal.ca, former Conservative himself, labelled promises crime crackdown, GST cut”; NDP – www.ndp.ca, the Speech “pretty thin gruel,” with CBC News Indepth: Canadian Govern- ment, “Throne Speech”: www.cbc.ca/ Bloc Québécois – little in it for the environment. Bloc www.blocquebecois.org, news/background/cdngovernment/ Green Party – leader Gilles Duceppe expressed confu- thronespeech.html www.greenparty.ca Analysis 1. What do you think is the main purpose of the Speech from the Throne? Why does the Governor General, rather than the Prime Minister, deliver it at the opening of Parliament?

2. In your view, what are the most important policies outlined in the Speech from the Throne that Governor General Michaëlle Jean delivered before Parliament on April 4, 2006? Why?

3. What were the reactions of the main opposition party spokespersons?

4. Which policies of the new government do you most/least support? Why?

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 13 TAKING OVER: CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT The First Conservative Budget

Along with the Speech from the • increases in the basic personal income Did you know . . . Throne, the most important statement tax exemption amount, which will Revenue Canada is any federal government presents to reach $10 000 by 2010 owed over $18-billion in Parliament is the budget, traditionally • a textbook tax credit for Canadian unpaid tax debts. delivered by the minister of finance. students and an apprenticeship tax Unlike the Speech from the Throne, credit which is a general outline of policies • a tax credit for public-transit passes and priorities, the budget represents a detailed plan for how the government • a tax credit of $500 for parents with intends to raise and spend money. On children participating in organized May 2, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, a sports newly elected Ontario Conservative MP • elimination of the corporate surtax by who once held the same cabinet post in 2008 and a reduction in overall corpo- the Ontario provincial Conservative rate taxes from 21 to 19 per cent by government of Premier Mike Harris, 2010 rose in the House of Commons to • an increase in the tax threshold for deliver the Harper government’s first small businesses to $400 000 from budget. With it, according to financial $300 000 in 2007 and a general lower- expert Douglas Porter of BMO Nesbitt ing of the small-business tax to 11 Burns, Canada’s fiscal policy entered a from 12 per cent “whole new ball game.” By this, Porter • elimination of the capital gains tax on meant that the Harper government had donations of publicly listed securities shifted priorities from spending on new to charities initiatives, a hallmark of the previous • a child-care allowance for families Paul Martin Liberal regime, to a focus with pre-school-age children of $100 on tax relief that would impact on the per month, and $250-million for pocketbooks of Canadian taxpayers in creating new daycare spaces by 2007 the years ahead. Flaherty and his government inherited • $282-million to hire more RCMP and a strong economy and a healthy budget armed border guards and help commu- surplus of over $17-billion from the nities deal with violent youth crime outgoing Liberals. This put the govern- • discussions with the provinces to find ment in a favourable position to be able ways to reduce health-care wait times, to deliver on most of its main spending but no specifics on new funding for and program promises. health care Here are some highlights of the Concluding his budget speech, budget’s main policies: Flaherty claimed that, “we’re reducing • a reduction in the GST from seven to virtually all areas in which the federal six per cent, effective July 1, 2006 government taxes. That was the ap- • a new Canada employment tax credit proach I wanted to take because Cana- of $500 for 2006, to be doubled to dians pay too much tax.” Yet Flaherty’s $1 000 in 2007 budget actually raised the lowest per- sonal income tax rate to 15.5 per cent as

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 14 of July 1, 2006, in order to help pay for considering home renovations.” — the cuts it was delivering to corporate Dave Benbow, Canadian Home Build- and other taxes. ers Association, a body promoting Reaction to the budget was mixed, government assistance to the construc- with business and financial services tion industry groups generally responding favourably, while spokespersons for “Rolling back the first halting steps labour, environmental, social, and toward a national child-care program Aboriginal groups were far more criti- and replacing it with a few bucks for cal. Here is a sample of responses to the babysitting hurts families more than it budget. benefits them.” — Ken Neumann, national director, United Steelworkers “The arithmetic does not work for Union of Canada ordinary working Canadians. The government squanders huge surpluses “Tinkering around the edges of the tax while workers can’t find child care for system is not going to increase access to their kids, can’t get training to do their college and university. This government jobs better, can’t protect their pensions should be restoring the billions of when companies go bankrupt or can’t dollars that were cut from post-second- get the money promised for pay eq- ary education transfers during the past uity.” — Ken Georgetti, president, decade so that tuition fees can be re- Canadian Labour Congress, Canada’s duced.” — George Soule, national largest trade union central body chair, Canadian Federation of Students

“The government’s tax credit for transit “The fiscal measures announced in this pass users is a strong signal that it is budget are good for the economy, for committed to promoting transit use. It working Canadians, and for small and rewards transit customers for making medium-sized business owners.” — smart travel choices.” — Robert Nancy Hughes Anthony, president, Olivier, chair, Canadian Urban Transit Canadian Chamber of Commerce, a Association, a lobby group supporting pro-business lobby group greater investment in public transport Source: CBC News Indepth: Federal “This budget improves housing Budget 2006, “A whole new fiscal ball affordability for many Canadians. It’s game”: www.cbc.ca/news/background/ budget2005/ also good news for owners who are

Analysis 1. What are the most important policies Finance Minister Jim Flaherty an- nounced in the federal budget? Which groups and individuals will benefit most from them? Who will not benefit?

2. Read the responses to the budget summarized above and for each of them identify whether it represents a positive or a negative reaction to it. Indicate how the reaction might be tied to the views and policies of the specific organization for which the speaker is a spokesperson.

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 15 TAKING OVER: CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT A Profile of Canada’s New Prime Minister

Although he has been a prominent Harper’s interest in politics began figure in federal politics for over a early, when he was a high-school decade, Stephen Harper remains some- student at Richview Collegiate in the thing of an enigma to many Canadians. Toronto suburb of Etobicoke in the But now that he has been elected the mid-1970s. At that time the Liberals country’s 22nd prime minister, he has attracted his support, and he was a become the focus of far more intense strong admirer of then prime minister media attention than at any previous Pierre Trudeau. But in 1980, when the time in his political career. He believes Trudeau government introduced the he earned the votes of many Canadians National Energy Policy requiring more for his solid grasp of important to sell its oil at lower-than- political issues than as a result of any market prices to the rest of Canada, personal charisma or appeal he may Harper turned against his former hero possess. Harper certainly does not fit and his party. He helped elect Conser- the mold of the glad-handing, baby- vative Jim Hawkes to Parliament in the kissing, back-slapping politician. An 1984 federal election that saw Brian intensely reserved, sometimes aloof Mulroney sweep to power in a landslide person, he does not perform well in victory over the Liberals. media-orchestrated events where he Harper joined Hawkes in Ottawa, mingles with ordinary voters making where he worked for the new Conserva- small talk. tive government, but left a year later, Harper’s strengths are his intellect, frustrated over its compromises and determination, and ability to seize the refusal to follow a definite right-wing initiative in political conflicts with his policy agenda. After gaining a master’s opponents, both inside and outside his degree in economics from the Univer- own party. Although he has substan- sity of , Harper became a found- tially modified and softened his image ing member of the Reform Party of since he was first elected to Parliament Canada, a movement that championed as a member of the now-defunct Re- conservative values and a greater role form Party in 1993, he still adheres to for Western Canada in Confederation. his core, conservative political beliefs He worked for Deborah Grey, the first and principles. He has always stood for elected Reform MP, and ran himself for smaller government, traditional family a seat in Parliament in 1993, defeating values, and greater individual freedom his old friend Jim Hawkes in Calgary for citizens. But since assuming the West. It was also in 1993 that Harper leadership of the new Conservative married graphic designer Lauren Party in 2004 he has appeared to be far Teskey, with whom he now has two less of a right-wing ideologue than he children, a son, Benjamin, and a daugh- once was as a Reform MP and head of ter, Rachel. the right-wing National Citizens’ Coali- After serving only one term in Parlia- tion (http://morefreedom.org), a lobby ment, Harper did not run again in the group that champions lower taxes and 1997 election. He criticized Reform less government. leader Preston Manning’s handling of

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 16 the Quebec independence issue, and felt parties into the new Conservative Party that he could promote his political of Canada. He later went on to defeat views more effectively as the director auto parts CEO and of the National Citizens’ Coalition. As a former Ontario provincial health minis- spokesperson for that organization, he ter to become the new wrote articles denouncing the Canadian party’s first federal leader. He was welfare state, accusing the federal poised to face off against new Liberal government of pandering to Quebec Prime Minister Paul Martin, Bloc separatists by promoting official bilin- Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, and gualism, and urging the Alberta govern- , the new head of the NDP, ment to erect a legislative “firewall” in the 2004 federal election. around the province to protect it from While Martin’s Liberals appeared federal incursions such as the NEP. He unbeatable in early 2004, by the time also called Atlantic Canada a “culture the election was held on June 28 they of defeat,” and said in a speech to an had come very close to losing to Harper ultra-conservative U.S. group that the and the Conservatives. The federal very existence of the leftist NDP in sponsorship scandal, with its allegations Canada was proof that “the devil is of corruption and illegal practices in alive and at work in this country.” Quebec, did much to undermine Liberal After the , the support across the country. But when successor of the Reform Party, floun- opinion polls suggested that Harper dered under its new leader Stockwell might be close to winning, the Liberals Day in the 2000 federal election, Harper counterattacked with a successful series decided it was time to re-enter the of advertisements characterizing him as political arena. He worked tirelessly to a dangerous right-winger who would unite Canada’s two right-of-centre privatize health care, send Canadian parties, the Canadian Alliance and the troops to Iraq, and undermine the rights Progressive Conservatives, at the same of women and minorities. As a result, time winning the Alliance leadership Martin was able to eke out a minority over Day in 2002. During that cam- government. Harper responded by paign, Harper revealed his new, prag- withdrawing from the public eye and matic approach to politics. When Day reconsidering his political options once sought to register members of evangeli- again after the election. cal Christian churches into the party to After being assured by his party that ensure his victory, Harper denounced it would not repeat the mistakes it had his rival’s strategy. He stated that, made during the closing stages of the unlike social conservatives in the 2004 campaign, Harper agreed to lead it United States, his view was that, “the into another election, which came after purpose of a Christian church is to Martin’s Liberals were defeated on a promote the message and the life of motion of non-confidence that Novem- Christ. It’s not to promote a particular ber. By this time, the sponsorship political party or candidate. I don’t scandal and its revelations had become think it’s good religion, besides being even more of a Liberal nightmare. For bad politics at the same time.” his part, Harper ran a focused cam- In October 2003, Harper and Peter paign, underlining his party’s five main MacKay, the Progressive Conservative priorities and denying Martin any leader, negotiated a merger of their two serious opportunities of characterizing

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 17 him as a right-wing fanatic. On election of Calgary historian and former Reform night, Harper’s party formed a minority Party speechwriter. Flanagan credits government, winning a surprising 10 Harper with “a rare strategic gift com- seats in Quebec and making gains in bined with a lot of brain power. He can Ontario and even in Atlantic Canada, a size up a situation of political conflict; region he had once disparaged. he can figure out who your main en- Harper is reluctant to address ques- emies are, and where your opportunities tions about his personal and family life. lie.” But to William Johnson, the author He is uncomfortable with the media, of a political biography of Harper, the and his relationship with the Ottawa new Prime Minister’s intelligence and press corps, never very cordial, has only political acumen run the risk of appear- deteriorated since assuming office as ing like arrogance and rigidity. Johnson Prime Minister. His family is very notes that Canadians “like our leaders important to him, as are his profoundly to come begging for our favour. Harper held religious beliefs. He regards his does not beg: he rarely even goes father Joseph, who died in 2003, as the through the motions. Harper and cha- single most important figure in his life, risma go together like porridge and and is also close to his mother and two champagne.” But Johnson also praises younger brothers. He was an outstand- Harper for his honesty, sound judgment, ing student, but was unable to partici- and willingness to make difficult deci- pate in sports as much as he would have sions and stick with their consequences. liked to, because of the asthma he con- For these reasons, Johnson believes that tracted as a child. His interests include Harper may become the most influential movies, music, and hockey, about which Canadian prime minister since Trudeau, he is currently writing a history. his one-time hero and later political Harper has few personal friends, but enemy. If Harper is able to win a major- he is intensely loyal to them. But he ity for his Conservative Party in the does not hesitate to put political advan- next federal election, he may have the tage over personal loyalty, a trait that chance to live up to Johnson’s predic- was clearly evident when he passed tion. over old Reform Party stalwarts like and James Moore for Source: CBC News Indepth: Stephen posts in his new cabinet. One of his Harper and the road to power: mentors is Tom Flanagan, a University www.cbc.ca/news/background/ harper_stephen/

Inquiry 1. After reading this profile of Stephen Harper, state what you view as his major assets and weaknesses as a political leader. Which do you think are greater, and why?

2. What are Stephen Harper’s core political beliefs? How could they be char- acterized as representing a conservative or right-wing ideology? What evidence is there that he has substantially modified or moderated these views over the course of his political career?

3. Do you agree with William Johnson’s view that Harper may become the most influential Canadian prime minister since Pierre Trudeau? Why or why not?

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 18 TAKING OVER: CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT Activity: Rating the Government

Form groups with your classmates to research and prepare an evaluation of the Further Research performance of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to date on one of the following To learn more topics. In your report to the class, highlight the most important information on about these issues, this particular topic and rate the Prime Minister and his government’s handling consider a visit to of it so far. the CBC at www.cbc.ca, CTV at 1. The war in Afghanistan www.ctv.ca or CanWest Global at 2. Democratic reform (changes to the Senate, fixed dates for elections, electoral www.canada.com. reform) Opposition party 3. The Conservatives’ five main priorities (GST reduction, crackdown on crime, Web sites include: child-care subsidies, reducing wait times, greater accountability in government) Conservative – 4. Canada and Quebec www.Conservative.ca, Liberal – 5. Canada-U.S. relations www.Liberal.ca, 6. The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change and environmental policy NDP – www.ndp.ca, Bloc Québécois – 7. Aboriginal issues www.blocquebecois.org 8. Federal-provincial relations (the “fiscal imbalance,” greater rights to prov- Green Party – inces) www.greenparty.ca 9. Social policy (gun registry, marijuana law reform, same-sex marriage) 10. Stephen Harper’s personal image and appeal to voters

The reports could be delivered to the class in the form of a “round-table” discussion, with each group presenting information and evaluations relating to the specific topic or issue it researched. Then the class as a whole could hold a general “debriefing” discussion, developing an overall evaluation of Stephen Harper and his Conservative government and speculating on the chances of its being able to win a clear majority from Canadian voters when the next federal election is held. Extension Activity You can send your comments by e-mail to [email protected] or write or fax the Prime Minister’s office at: Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa K1A 0A2 Fax: 613-941-6900

CBC News in Review • June 2006 • Page 19