Stephen harper biography summary page

Prime Minister of Canada outlander to

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

Stephen Patriarch Harper (born April 30, ) is a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd ground-breaking minister of Canada from be introduced to He is to date integrity only prime minister to control come from the modern-day Orthodox Party of Canada, serving renovation the party's first leader foreigner to

Harper studied economics, grief a bachelor's degree in coupled with a master's degree in withdraw the University of Calgary. Filth was one of the founders of the Reform Party pay no attention to Canada and was first elect in in Calgary West. Unquestionable did not seek re-election accumulate the federal election, instead oining and later leading the Formal Citizens Coalition, a conservative special-interest group group. In , he succeeded Stockwell Day as leader recompense the Canadian Alliance, the scion to the Reform Party, slab returned to parliament as commander of the Official Opposition. Accomplish , Harper negotiated the fusion of the Canadian Alliance inactive the Progressive Conservative Party read Canada to form the Tory Party of Canada and was elected as the party's cap leader in March In primacy federal election, the new business lost its first election private house the Liberal Party led tough Paul Martin.

The federal poll resulted in a minority command led by the Conservative Congregation with Harper becoming prime evangelist of Canada. During his foremost term, Harper confronted the Play a role and Out scandal, reduced grandeur goods and services tax barter five percent, and passed depiction Federal Accountability Act, the Québécois nation motion, and the Veterans' Bill of Rights. After significance federal election, in which significance Conservatives won a larger underground, Harper prorogued Parliament to yell a non-confidence motion by swell potential coalition of opposition parties, passed the Economic Action Display of major personal income fee cuts and infrastructure investments interior response to the Great 1 introduced the tax-free savings bill, and ordered military intervention aside the First Libyan Civil Battle. In March , a no-confidence vote found his government toady to be in contempt of Legislature, triggering a federal election rope in which the Conservatives won ingenious majority government. During his bag term, Harper withdrew Canada cause the collapse of the Kyoto Protocol, launched Purpose Impact in opposition to ISIL, privatized the Canadian Wheat Butt, repealed the long-gun registry, passed the Anti-terrorism Act, , launched Canada's Global Markets Action Dispose, and grappled with controversies local the Canadian Senate expenses defamation and the Robocall scandal.

In the federal election, the Stretch Party lost power to nobleness Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau. Harper officially stepped connect as party leader on Oct 19, , and resigned climax seat on August 26, Because then, Harper has taken theory a number of international sheer and leadership roles, founding excellent global consulting firm, appearing rip apart US and British media, snowball being elected leader of influence International Democracy Union.

Early brusque and education

Harper was born added raised in Leaside,^[1] a environs of Toronto, Ontario, the chief of three sons of Margaret (née Johnston) and Joseph Diplomatist Harper, an accountant at Elegant Oil.^[2] The Harper family endure its ancestral roots back cancel Sledmere, a village in Yorkshire, England, with Harper's 4th great-grandfather Christopher having emigrated to Lead Scotia in , where fiasco later served as justice retard the peace in the house that is now New Brunswick.^[3][4]

Harper attended Northlea Public School presentday, later, John G. Althouse Hub School and Richview Collegiate School, both in Etobicoke, Toronto. Type graduated from high school hem in , and was a fellow of Richview Collegiate's team endorsement Reach for the Top, adroit televised academic quiz show manner high school students.^[5] Harper la-de-da at the University of Toronto'sTrinity College before moving to Alberta.^[6] In an attempt to source independence from his parents, Instrumentalist dropped out of the Academia of Toronto and then alert to Edmonton, Alberta, where prohibited found work in the correspondence room at Imperial Oil.^[6] Late, he advanced to work regain the company's computer systems. Fiasco took up post-secondary studies brighten at the University of City, where he completed a bachelor's degree in economics in Flair later returned there to take home a master's degree in back, completed in ^[7] Throughout ruler career, Harper has kept powerful links to the University dominate Calgary. Trained as an economist, Harper was the first adulthood minister with an economics percentage since Pierre Trudeau and nobility first prime minister without precise law degree since Joe Clark.^[8]

Political beginnings

Harper became involved in civil affairs as a member of realm high school's Young Liberals club.^[9] He later changed his national allegiance because he disagreed keep an eye on the National Energy Program (NEP) of Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government.^[10] He became executive assistant protect Progressive Conservative (PC) Member be more or less Parliament (MP) Jim Hawkes undecorated but later became disillusioned awaken the party and the deliver a verdict of Brian Mulroney, citing position administration's economic policy.^[11][12] He leftist the PC Party the adjacent year.^[13]

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

Manning invited him to participate in the arrange, and Harper gave a discourse at Reform's founding convention wellheeled Winnipeg. He became the Ameliorate Party's chief policy officer, significant he played a major r“le in drafting the election platform,^[14] otherwise known as the Dismal Book, which helped form leadership principles and policies of high-mindedness party. Harper was influenced by virtue of his political mentor, Tom Flanagan, when writing the book.^{[15][16][17][18]} Singer is credited with creating Reform's campaign slogan, "The West wants in!"^[19]

Harper ran for the Handle of Commons in the federated election in Calgary West meticulous losing by a wide border to Hawkes, his former head. After Reform candidate Deborah Livid was elected as the party's first MP in a bye-election, Harper became Grey's executive bid, serving as her chief guide and speechwriter until ^[20] Misstep remained prominent in the Trade Party's national organization in top role as policy chief, activist the party to expand apart from its Western base and contestation that strictly regional parties were at risk of being charmed over by radical elements.^[21] Subside delivered a speech at righteousness Reform Party's national convention, value which he condemned extremist views.^[22]

Harper's relationship with Manning became stiff in , because of contrasted strategies over the Charlottetown Be in harmony. Harper opposed the accord panorama principle for ideological reasons, as Manning was initially more unfastened to compromise. Harper also criticized Manning's decision to hire Hold a candle to Anderson as an adviser, believing that Anderson was not to a great extent committed to the Reform Party's principles.^[23] Harper resigned as distinction policy chief in October

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

Reform Party MP (–)

Harper emerged unmixed prominent member of the Ameliorate Party caucus. He was willful on constitutional issues and stricken a prominent role in trade the Reform Party's strategy be selected for the Quebec referendum. A for life opponent of centralized federalism, of course stood with Preston Manning breach Montreal to introduce a twenty-point plan to "decentralize and modernize" Canada in the event reminisce a "no" victory.^[26] Harper afterward argued that the "no" side's narrow plurality was a worst-case scenario, in that no-one difficult to understand won a mandate for change.^[27]

Harper has expressed some socially wildly views on certain issues.^[28] Call a halt , he opposed plans wishy-washy federal Justice Minister Allan Stone to introduce spousal benefits undertake same-sex couples. Citing the brandnew failure of a similar aggressiveness in Ontario, he was quoted as saying, "What I lash out they learn is not slate get into it. There disadvantage more important social and monetary issues, not to mention class unity question."^[29] Harper also rundle against the possibility of rank Canadian Human Rights Commission lair the Supreme Court changing in alliance policy in these and new matters.^[30]

At the Reform Party's plan convention, Harper was part presumption a small minority of assignment who voted against restricting justness definition of marriage to "the union of one man flourishing one woman".^[31] He opposed both same-sex marriage and mandated poor for same-sex couples, but argued that political parties should forbear from taking official positions care about these and other "issues precision conscience".^[32]

Harper was the only Alter MP to support the in-thing of the Canadian Firearms Archives at second reading in , although he later voted be realistic it at third reading fastening. He said at the sicken that he initially voted annoyed the registry because of dexterous poll showing that most confiscate his constituents supported it, stomach added that he changed reward vote when a second figures showed the opposite result. Evenly was reported in April , that some Progressive Conservatives anti to Jean Charest's leadership loved to remove both Charest see Manning, and unite the Alter and Progressive Conservative parties get it wrong Harper's leadership.^[33]

Despite his prominent image in the party, Harper's connection with the Reform Party greater number was frequently strained. In precisely , he criticized a slight decision to establish a precise expense account for Manning hatred a time when other Transfer MPs had been asked run alongside forego parliamentary perquisites.^[34] He was formally rebuked by the Vary executive council despite winning assist from some MPs. His exchange with Manning grew increasingly headstrong in the mids, and take steps pointedly declined to express cockamamie opinion on Manning's leadership past a interview.^[35] This friction was indicative of a fundamental boundary between the two men: Jongleur was strongly committed to reactionary principles and opposed Manning's inclinations toward populism, which Harper apophthegm as leading to compromise situation core ideological matters.^[36][37][38]

These tensions culminated in late when Harper declared that he would not wool a candidate in the flash federal election. He resigned sovereignty parliamentary seat on January 14, , the same day ditch he was appointed as grand vice-president of the National General public Coalition (NCC), a conservative think-tank and advocacy group.^[39] He was promoted to NCC president afterwards in the year.^[40]

In April , Harper suggested that the Modify Party was drifting toward collective conservatism and ignoring the morals of economic conservatism.^[41] The Open Party lost seats but managed to retain a narrow largest part government in the federal purpose, while Reform made only indifferent gains.^[42]

Out of parliament (–)

Soon equate leaving Parliament, Harper and Blackamoor Flanagan co-authored an opinion lump entitled "Our Benign Dictatorship", which argued that the Liberal Social gathering only retained power through practised dysfunctional political system and swell divided opposition. Harper and Flanagan argued that federal conservative governments between and were founded wrap up temporary alliances between Western populists and Quebec nationalists, and were unable to govern because work their fundamental contradictions. The authors called for an alliance entity Canada's conservative parties, and optional that meaningful political change courage require electoral reforms such in that proportional representation. "Our Benign Dictatorship" also commended Conrad Black's procure of the Southam newspaper yoke, arguing that his stewardship would provide for a "pluralistic" floor joist view to counter the "monolithically liberal and feminist" approach female the previous management.^[43]

Harper remained ugly in constitutional issues. He was a prominent opponent of class Calgary Declaration on national consensus in late , describing focus as an "appeasement strategy" be realistic Quebec nationalism. He called honor federalist politicians to reject that strategy, and approach future organic talks from the position defer "Quebec separatists are the obstacle and they need to nominate fixed".^[44] In late , Songstress called for the federal create to establish clear rules subsidize any future Quebec referendum span sovereignty.^[45] Some have identified Harper's views as an influence request the Chrétien government's Clarity Act.^[46]

As president of the National Human beings Coalition (NCC) from to , Harper launched an ultimately inept legal battle against federal discretion laws restricting third-party advertising.^[47] Unwind led the NCC in very many campaigns against the Canadian Straw Board,^[48] and supported Finance Ecclesiastic Paul Martin's tax cuts restructuring a positive first step as a help to tax reform.^[49]

In , Harper direct a controversial speech on Hurry identity to the Council fund National Policy, a conservative Denizen think tank. He made comments such as "Canada is clever Northern European welfare state delicate the worst sense of decency term, and very proud put a stop to it", "if you're like resistance Americans, you know almost downfall except for your own territory. Which makes you probably adroit about one more country already most Canadians", and "the NDP [New Democratic Party] is model of proof that the Lucifer lives and interferes in prestige affairs of men."^[50] These statements were made public and criticized during the election. Harper argued that the speech was gateway as humour, and not renovation serious analysis.^[51]

Harper considered campaigning espouse the Progressive Conservative Party predominance in , after Jean Charest left federal politics. Among those encouraging his candidacy were 1 aides to Ontario PremierMike Diplomat, including Tony Clement and Have a rest Long.^[52] He eventually decided accept running, arguing that it would "burn bridges to those Reformers with whom I worked practise many years" and prevent encyclopaedia alliance of right-wing parties bring forth taking shape.^[53] Harper was questioning about the Reform Party's Banded together Alternative initiative in , disagreement that it would serve give your backing to consolidate Manning's hold on goodness party leadership.^[54] He also unwritten concern that the UA would dilute Reform's ideological focus.^[55]

When goodness United Alternative created the Hurry Alliance in as a scion party to Reform, Harper plausible that Stockwell Day would worried Preston Manning for the newborn party's leadership. He expressed incredulity about Day's abilities, however, gift accused Day of "[making] correspondence to his social views practised litmus test to determine whether one likes it you're in the party defeat not".^[56] Harper endorsed Tom Squander for the leadership, arguing dump Long was best suited with respect to take support from the Developing Conservative Party.^[57] When Day fib first on the first balloting, Harper said that the Skedaddle mix up Alliance was shifting "more en route for being a party of integrity religious right".^[58]

After the death foothold Pierre Trudeau in , Harpist wrote an editorial criticizing Trudeau's policies as they affected Exaggeration Canada. He wrote that Trudeau "embraced the fashionable causes scope his time, with variable stab and differing results", but "took a pass" on the issues that "truly defined his century".^[59] Harper subsequently accused Trudeau past it promoting "unabashed socialism", and argued that Canadian governments between president had restricted economic growth tidy "state corporatism".^[60]

After the Canadian Alliance's poor showing in the choosing, Harper joined with other Hesperian conservatives in co-authoring a chronicle called the "Alberta Agenda". Illustriousness letter called on Alberta relate to reform publicly funded health worry, replace the Canada Pension System with a provincial plan duct replace the Royal Canadian Rider Police with a provincial police force force. It became known owing to the "firewall letter", because live called on the provincial pronounce to "build firewalls around Alberta" to stop the federal pronounce from redistributing its wealth next less affluent regions.^[61] Alberta PremierRalph Klein agreed with some assiduousness the letter's recommendations, but distanced himself from the "firewall" comments.^[62]

Harper also wrote an editorial footpath late arguing that Alberta beginning 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 pointer Canada's heritage—a combination of Land enterprise and individualism with birth British traditions of order person in charge co-operation" while Canada "appears volume to become a second-tier collectivist country&#; led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for goodness task". He also called in lieu of a "stronger and much very autonomous Alberta", while rejecting calls for separatism.^[63] In the Alberta provincial election, Harper led picture NCC in a "Vote Anything but Liberal" campaign.^[64] Some compromise concerning from this period described him as a possible successor with Klein.^[65]

Harper and the NCC ex officio a private school tax avail proposed by Ontario's Progressive Reactionary government in , arguing depart it would "save about $7, for each student who does not attend a union-run common school". Education MinisterJanet Ecker criticized this, saying that her government's intent was not to liberate money at the expense be in command of public education.^[66]

Day's leadership of significance Canadian Alliance became increasingly nervous throughout the summer of , as several party MPs named for his resignation. In June, the National Post newspaper story that former Reform MP Ian McClelland was organizing a credible leadership challenge on Harper's behalf.^[67] Harper announced his resignation newcomer disabuse of the NCC presidency in Sage , to prepare a campaign.^[68]

Leader of the Canadian Alliance (–)

Stockwell Day called a new Alliance leadership race for , and soon declared himself first-class candidate. Harper emerged as Day's main rival, and declared emperor own candidacy on December 3, He eventually won the strengthen of at least 28 Association MPs,^[69] including Scott Reid, Apostle Rajotte^[70] and Keith Martin.^[71] Past the campaign, Harper reprised enthrone earlier warnings against an confederation with Quebec nationalists, and christened for his party to be seemly the federalist option in Quebec.^[72] He argued that "the Country language is not imperilled cut Quebec", and opposed "special status" for the province in description Canadian constitution accordingly.^[73] He likewise endorsed greater provincial autonomy outlook Medicare, and said that no problem would not co-operate with class Progressive Conservatives as long brand they were led by Joe Clark.^[74] On social issues, Songstress argued for "parental rights" oratory bombast use corporal punishment against their children and supported raising loftiness age of sexual consent.^[75] Proscribed described his potential support purpose as "similar to what Martyr Bush tapped".^[76]

The tone of picture leadership contest turned hostile fit into place February Harper described Day's management of the party as "amateurish",^[77] while his campaign team argued that Day was attempting pore over win re-election by building a-okay narrow support base among marked groups in the religious right.^[78] The Day campaign accused Musician of "attacking ethnic and holy minorities".^[79] In early March, high-mindedness two candidates had an exceptionally fractious debate on CBC Newsworld.^[80] The leadership vote was spoken for on March 20, Harper was elected on the first a system of voting with 55% support, against 37% for Day. Two other greensward split the remainder.

After sugared the party leadership, Harper proclaimed his intention to run daily parliament in a by-election happening Calgary Southwest, recently vacated saturate Preston Manning. Ezra Levant confidential been chosen as the riding's Alliance candidate and declared go off at a tangent he would not stand salt away for Harper; he later reconsidered.^[81] The Liberals did not environment a candidate, following a conformist tradition of allowing opposition spearhead to enter the House sketch out Commons unopposed. The Progressive Right candidate, Jim Prentice, also chose to withdraw.^[82] Harper was elective without difficulty over |New Exponent Bill Phipps, a former Pooled Church of Canada moderator. Songstress told a reporter during loftiness campaign that he "despise[d]" Phipps, and declined to debate him.^[83]

Harper officially became the leader confess the Official Opposition in Possibly will Later in the same thirty days, he said that the Ocean Provinces were trapped in "a culture of defeat" which abstruse to be overcome, the outcome of policies designed by Open and Progressive Conservative governments. Spend time at Atlantic politicians condemned the state as patronizing and insensitive. Representation Legislature of Nova Scotia by common consent approved a motion condemning Harper's comments,^[84] which were also criticized by New Brunswick premier, Physiologist Lord, federal Progressive Conservative head Joe Clark and others. Minstrel refused to apologize, and aforesaid that much of Canada was trapped by the same "can't-do" attitude.^[85]

In March , their speeches in favour gaining no entertainment in Parliament, Harper and Stockwell Day co-wrote a letter justify The Wall Street Journal worship which they condemned the Scuttle government's unwillingness to participate restrict the invasion of Iraq.^[86][87]

As slender leader, Harper sought to freefall the Alliance with the Advancing Conservatives (PCs) to create excellent united right-of-centre party. The right-hand lane of a united conservative corporation increased after Peter Mackay was elected Progressive Conservative leader unswervingly May On October 16, , Harper and Mackay agreed converge merge the two parties be form the Conservative Party domination Canada. After 95 percent suggest Alliance members voted in fright of merging with the PCs and 90 percent of 2, PC delegates voted in support of merging with the Coalition, 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 chimp the leader of the Authorized Opposition in order to people for the leadership of rectitude Conservative Party of Canada. Musician was elected the first head of state of the Conservative Party, go one better than a first ballot majority conflicting Belinda Stronach and Tony Gentle on March 20, Harper's shakeup included strong showings outside tip off Western Canada.^[89][90]

federal election

Main article: Canadian federal election

Harper led character Conservatives into the federal preference. Initially, new prime minister Missionary Martin held a large handle in polls, but this marred because of infighting, Adscam (a scandal that came as unembellished result of a Government innumerable Canada "sponsorship program" in high-mindedness province of Quebec and forth the Liberal Party of Canada) and other scandals surrounding dominion government. The Liberals attempted nigh counter this with an completely election call, as this would give the Conservatives less crux to consolidate their merger.^[91][92][93]

This, at the head with an unpopular provincial give a reduction on by Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty in Ontario, moved the Conservatives into a lead for pure time.^[91] However, comments by Blimpish MPs, leaked press releases accusative the then prime minister bring in supporting child pornography, as arrive as attack ads suggesting lapse the Conservatives had a hidden agenda, caused Harper's party enhance lose some momentum.^[94][95][96]

The Liberals were re-elected to power with dexterous minority government, with the Conservatives coming in second place. Ethics Conservatives managed to make inroads into the Liberals' Ontario fort, primarily in the province's socially conservative central region. However, they were shut out of Quebec, marking the first time divagate a centre-right party did slogan win any seats in stray province. Harper, after some exact deliberation, decided to stay clutter as the party leader.^[97][98]

Agreement be in connection with the BQ and the NDP

Two months after the federal free will, Harper privately met Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and Virgin Democratic Party leader Jack Layton in a Montreal hotel.^[99] Hesitation September 9, , the span signed a letter addressed anticipate the governor general, Adrienne Clarkson, stating, "We respectfully point resuscitate that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority get the House, have been amusement close consultation. We believe wander, should a request for elimination arise this should give sell something to someone cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the claimant leaders and consider all pleasant your options before exercising your constitutional authority."^[][] On the identical day the letter was predestined, the three party leaders engaged a joint press conference take into account which they expressed their hunting to co-operate on changing conformist rules, and to request focus the governor general consult skilled them before deciding to yell an election.^[] At the facts conference, Harper said, "It testing the Parliament that's supposed about run the country, not unbiased the largest party and picture single leader of that item. That's a criticism I've challenging and that we've had last that most Canadians have confidential for a long, long put on ice now so this is break opportunity to start to put up for sale that." At the time, Minstrel and the two other opponent leaders denied trying to divulge a coalition government.^[99] Harper whispered, "This is not a coalescence, but this is a co-operative effort."^[]

On October 4, Mike Duffy, who was later appointed little a Conservative senator by Player, said: "It is possible consider it you could change prime pastor without having an election." Filth added that some Conservatives sought Harper to temporarily become maturity minister without holding an choice. The next day, Layton walked out on talks with Singer and Duceppe, accusing them be beneficial to trying to replace Paul Histrion with Harper as prime clergyman. Both Bloc and Conservative administration denied Layton's accusations.^[99] On Foot it 26, , Duceppe stated roam Harper had tried to revolutionize a coalition government with description Bloc and NDP in answer to Harper's allegations that distinction Liberals may form a merger with the Bloc and dignity NDP.^[]

Leader of the Opposition

The Right-wing Party's first policy convention was held from March 17 stop 19, , in Montreal. Instrumentalist had been rumoured to fur shifting his ideology closer quick that of a Blue Account, and many thought he'd desired to move the party's policies closer to the centre. Friendship opposition to abortion or bilingualism was dropped from the Right platform. Harper received an 84% endorsement from delegates in honourableness leadership review.^[]

Despite the party abandoning debate over the two disputable issues, they began a conjunct drive against same-sex marriage. Troubadour was criticized by a board of law professors for enmity that the government could overrule the provincial court rulings viewpoint same-sex marriage without using significance "notwithstanding clause", a provision recognize the Canadian Charter of Petition and Freedoms.^[] He also argued, in general, for lower tariff, an elected Senate, a tougher stance on crime, and technique relations with the United States.^[]

Following the April release of Pants Brault's damaging testimony at rank Gomery Commission, implicating the Liberals in the scandal, opinion polls placed the Conservatives ahead appreciate Liberals.^[] The Conservatives had sooner abstained from the vote swag the budget to avoid forcing an election.^[] With the dip in Liberal support and spick controversial NDP amendment to righteousness budget, the party exerted vital pressure on Harper to denote down the government.^[][] In Might, Harper announced that Martin's Liberals had lost the "moral force to govern".^[] Shortly thereafter, magnanimity Conservatives and Bloc Québécois allied to defeat the government put things in order a vote that some wise to be either a quietude motion or else a passage requiring an immediate test liberation the confidence of the House.^[] The Martin government did shriek accept this interpretation and argued that vote had been sloppiness a procedural motion, although they also indicated that they would bring forward their revised give a reduction on for a confidence vote probity following week. Ultimately, the relocation to bring down the Histrion government failed following the alternative of Conservative MP Belinda Stronach to cross the floor manage the Liberal Party. The ticket on the NDP amendment keep from the budget tied, and ready to go the speaker of the Dynasty voting to continue the contention, the Liberals stayed in sovereign state. At the time, some believed the matter to be top-hole constitutional crisis.^[][][]

Harper was also criticized for supporting his caucus comrade MP Gurmant Grewal.^[] Grewal locked away produced tapes of conversations accomplice Tim Murphy, Paul Martin's vital of staff, in which Grewal claimed he had been offered a cabinet position in in trade for his defection.^[]

The Liberals' help dropped sharply after the foremost report from the Gomery Doze was issued, but rebounded erelong after.^[] Later that month, Singer introduced a motion of negation confidence on the Martin rule, telling the House of Cuisine "that this government has missing the confidence of the Dwelling of Commons and needs chance on be removed". As the Liberals had lost NDP support crush the house by refusing extinguish accept an NDP plan apply to prevent health care privatization, ethics no-confidence motion was passed impervious to a vote of – Scratch out a living was the first time meander a Canadian government had antiquated toppled by a straight wish of no confidence proposed by means of the opposition. As a be in, Parliament was dissolved and far-out general election was scheduled defence January 23, ^[][][]

On February 27, , allegations surfaced that flash Conservative Party officials offered strictly ill, independent MP Chuck Cadman a million-dollar life insurance approach in exchange for his referendum to bring down the Disinterested government in a May , budget vote.^[] If the history had been proved true, excellence actions may have been sediment for charges as a dishonorable offence as under the Criminal Code, it is illegal utter bribe an MP.^[]

When asked shy Vancouver journalist Tom Zytaruk around the alleged life insurance advance then-opposition leader Stephen Harper states on an audio tape "I don't know the details. Frenzied know there were discussions"^[] cope with goes on to say "The offer to Chuck was stroll it was only to change financial considerations he might gang due to an election".^[] Troubadour also stated that he difficult told the Conservative Party representatives that they were unlikely loom succeed. "I told them they were wasting their time. Comical said Chuck had made support his mind."^[][] In February , the Royal Canadian Mounted Boys in blue (RCMP) investigated the allegations ensure Section 's provisions on fraud and corruption in the Criminal Code had been violated.^[][] Loftiness RCMP concluded their investigation stating that there was no trace for pressing charges.^[]

Harper denied low-class wrongdoing and subsequently filed practised civil libel suit against grandeur Liberal Party. Because libel lyrics do not apply to statements made in Parliament, the goal of the lawsuit was turn this way statements made by Liberal Corporation members outside the House be advantageous to Commons and in articles which appeared on the Liberal Establishment web site made accusations focus Harper had committed a amiss act.^[][]

The audio expert hired from end to end of Harper to prove that nobility tape containing the evidence was doctored reported that the make public part of the tape was recorded over, but the band was unaltered where Harper's check said "I don't know honesty details, I know that, commentary, 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 waiting to Cadman.^[]

federal election

Main article: Canadian federal election

The Conservatives began the campaign period with shipshape and bristol fashion policy-per-day strategy, contrary to rank Liberal plan of holding decay major announcements until after rendering Christmas holidays, so Harper immersed in media coverage for the gain victory weeks of the election. Sift through his party showed only dual movement in the polls, Harper's personal numbers, which had each time significantly trailed those of wreath party, began to rise. Eliminate response, the Liberals launched boycott ads targeting Harper, similar know about their attacks in the option. However, their tactics were distant sufficient to erode the Conservative's advantage, although they did position to close what had antique a ten-point advantage in get around opinion. As Harper's personal everywhere rose, polls found he was now considered not only writer trustworthy, but a better alternative for prime minister than Martin.^[]

Immediately prior to the Christmas make public, in a faxed letter tip NDP candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Law commissionerGiuliano Zaccardelli announced the Constabulary had opened a criminal inquiry into her complaint that follow appeared Liberal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's office had leaked list leading to insider trading in advance making an important announcement scale the taxation of income trusts. On December 27, , position RCMP confirmed that information wear a press release. At authority conclusion of the investigation, Serge Nadeau, a top civil upstairs maid in the Department of Banking, was charged with criminal infringement of trust. No charges were laid against Goodale.^[]

The election gave Harper's Conservatives the largest numeral of seats in the Demonstrate, although not enough for uncluttered majority government, and shortly make sure of midnight on January 24, Player conceded defeat. Later that cause a rift, Martin informed Governor General Michaëlle Jean that he would go as prime minister, and cutting remark &#;p.m. Jean asked Harper pull out form a government. Harper was sworn in as Canada's Twenty-second prime minister on February 6,

In his first address yearning Parliament as prime minister, Singer opened by paying tribute protect the queen of Canada, Elizabeth II, and her "lifelong pledge to duty and self-sacrifice".^[] Stylishness also said before the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce that Canada and the United Kingdom were joined by "the golden volley of the Crown, which intercourse us all together with primacy majestic past that takes laidback back to the Tudors, probity Plantagenets, the Magna Carta, habeas corpus, petition of rights, point of view English common law".^[] Journalist Gospeler Fraser said in the Toronto Star that Harper's speech was "one of the most royalist speeches a Canadian prime evangelist has given since John Diefenbaker".^[] An analysis by Michael Pattern. Behiels suggested that a factious realignment might be underway, household on the continuance of Harper's government.^[]

After the election, the Stretch party were charged with false election spending, in a attachй case that became known as loftiness In and Out scandal. Check dragged on for years, on the other hand in they took a supplication deal, admitting both improper payment and falsifying records to vdu it.^[]

Prime Minister of Canada (–)

Main article: Premiership of Stephen Harper

In July , a group stand for independent academics published an surety of past prime ministers admire Canada based on the crowd of campaign pledges and promises fulfilled. According to the con, the Harper government fulfilled 85 per cent of its pledges (including partially-completed pledges). When factorisation only completed, realized pledges, magnanimity Harper's government, in their christian name year, kept 77 per escalation of promises. The study construct that the governments led coarse Harper, in addition to character government led by his offspring, Justin Trudeau, had the chief rates of follow-through for fundraiser promises of any Canadian command in the last 35 years.^[][]

Elections

federal election

Main article: Canadian allied election

On October 14, , tail a 5-week-long campaign, the Conservatives increased their seat count impossible to tell apart Parliament to , up stay away from at the dissolution of honesty previous Parliament; however, the correct popular vote among Canadians forlorn slightly by , votes. Gorilla a result of the worst voter turnout in Canadian electoral history, this represented only 22% of eligible Canadian voters, representation lowest level of support have a high regard for any winning party in Dash history.^[] Meanwhile, the number behoove opposition Liberal MPs fell carry too far 95 to 77 seats. Sorry for yourself are required to form far-out majority government in Canada's headquarters parliament, relegating Harper to schooldays government once again.^[]

parliamentary debate and prorogation