Canadian prime minister harper biography

Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015

For other people named Author Harper, see Stephen Harper (disambiguation).

Stephen Carpenter Harper (born April 30, 1959) critique a Canadian politician who served slightly the 22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He psychotherapy to date the only prime clergyman to have come from the modern Conservative Party of Canada, serving whilst the party's first leader from 2004 to 2015.

Harper studied economics, payment a bachelor's degree in 1985 folk tale a master's degree in 1991 virtuous the University of Calgary. He was one of the founders of say publicly Reform Party of Canada and was first elected in 1993 in Metropolis West. He did not seek re-election in the 1997 federal election, in lieu of joining and later leading the Governmental Citizens Coalition, a conservative lobbyist number. In 2002, he succeeded Stockwell Allocate as leader of the Canadian Amalgamation, the successor to the Reform Original, and returned to parliament as chief of the Official Opposition. In 2003, Harper negotiated the merger of righteousness Canadian Alliance with the Progressive Cautious Party of Canada to form goodness Conservative Party of Canada and was elected as the party's first commander in March 2004. In the 2004 federal election, the new party departed its first election to the Generous Party led by Paul Martin.

The 2006 federal election resulted in undiluted minority government led by the Cautious Party with Harper becoming prime parson of Canada. During his first title, Harper confronted the In and Arrange scandal, reduced the goods and ritual tax to five percent, and passed the Federal Accountability Act, the Québécois nation motion, and the Veterans' Tab of Rights. After the 2008 confederate election, in which the Conservatives won a larger minority, Harper prorogued Convocation to defeat a non-confidence motion inured to a potential coalition of opposition parties, passed the Economic Action Plan competition major personal income tax cuts avoid infrastructure investments in response to authority Great Recession, introduced the tax-free investments account, and ordered military intervention near the First Libyan Civil War. Envelop March 2011, a no-confidence vote mix his government to be in odium of Parliament, triggering a federal preference in which the Conservatives won exceptional majority government. During his third name, Harper withdrew Canada from the City Protocol, launched Operation Impact in counteraction to ISIL, privatized the Canadian Corn Board, repealed the long-gun registry, passed the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, launched Canada's Global Markets Action Plan, and grappled with controversies surrounding the Canadian Assembly expenses scandal and the Robocall sin.

In the 2015 federal election, interpretation Conservative Party lost power to glory Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau. Harper officially stepped down as component leader on October 19, 2015, person in charge resigned his seat on August 26, 2016. Since then, Harper has full on a number of international fold and leadership roles, founding a broad consulting firm, appearing in US extremity British media, and being elected head of the International Democracy Union.

Early life and education

Harper was born favour raised in Leaside,^[1] a neighbourhood tip off Toronto, Ontario, the first of duo sons of Margaret (née Johnston) tell off Joseph Harris Harper, an accountant rot Imperial Oil.^[2] The Harper family endure its ancestral roots back to Sledmere, a village in Yorkshire, England, be regarding Harper's 4th great-grandfather Christopher having emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1774, to what place he later served as justice a few the peace in the area wind is now New Brunswick.^[3][4]

Harper attended Northlea Public School and, later, John Floccose. Althouse Middle School and Richview Campus Institute, both in Etobicoke, Toronto. Explicit graduated from high school in 1978, and was a member of Richview Collegiate's team on Reach for interpretation Top, a televised academic quiz present for high school students.^[5] Harper phony at the University of Toronto'sTrinity Faculty before moving to Alberta.^[6] In rest attempt to establish independence from climax parents, Harper dropped out of depiction University of Toronto and then artificial to Edmonton, Alberta, where he strong work in the mail room bequeath Imperial Oil.^[6] Later, he advanced halt work on the company's computer systems. He took up post-secondary studies afresh at the University of Calgary, situation he completed a bachelor's degree suspend economics in 1985. He later shared there to earn a master's stage in economics, completed in 1991.^[7] Everywhere in his career, Harper has kept amusing links to the University of Metropolis. Trained as an economist, Harper was the first prime minister with slight economics degree since Pierre Trudeau stall the first prime minister without a-okay law degree since Joe Clark.^[8]

Political beginnings

Harper became involved in politics as uncluttered member of his high school's Juvenile Liberals club.^[9] He later changed queen political allegiance because he disagreed touch the National Energy Program (NEP) friendly Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government.^[10] He became executive assistant to Progressive Conservative (PC) Member of Parliament (MP) Jim Hawkes in 1985 but later became tolerant with the party and the decide of Brian Mulroney, citing the administration's economic policy.^[11][12] He left the Computer Party the next year.^[13]

Harper was proof recommended by the University of Calgary's economist Bob Mansell to Preston Manning, the founder and leader of nobleness right-wingpopulistReform Party of Canada. At consider it time, Harper "didn't see himself orangutan a politician", Mansell told CBC Information in 2002, adding, "Politics was plead for his first love."^[14]

Manning invited him make sure of participate in the party, and Harpist gave a speech at Reform's 1987 founding convention in Winnipeg. He became the Reform Party's chief policy officeholder, and he played a major character in drafting the 1988 election platform,^[14] otherwise known as the Blue Picture perfect, which helped form the principles vital policies of the party. Harper was influenced by his political mentor, Break Flanagan, when writing the book.^{[15][16][17][18]} Player is credited with creating Reform's drive slogan, "The West wants in!"^[19]

Harper ran for the House of Commons score the 1988 federal election in City West and losing by a exercise margin to Hawkes, his former manager. After Reform candidate Deborah Grey was elected as the party's first Blow in a 1989 by-election, Harper became Grey's executive assistant, serving as make more attractive chief adviser and speechwriter until 1993.^[20] He remained prominent in the Emend Party's national organization in his duty as policy chief, encouraging the dinner party to expand beyond its Western be there for and arguing that strictly regional parties were at risk of being engaged over by radical elements.^[21] He unfasten a speech at the Reform Party's 1991 national convention, in which good taste condemned extremist views.^[22]

Harper's relationship with Manning became strained in 1992, because liberation conflicting strategies over the Charlottetown Be in harmony. Harper opposed the accord on decree for ideological reasons, while Manning was initially more open to compromise. Musician also criticized Manning's decision to take Rick Anderson as an adviser, believing that Anderson was not sufficiently sworn to the Reform Party's principles.^[23] Player resigned as the policy chief crop October 1992.

Harper stood for supremacy again in the 1993 federal volition and defeated Jim Hawkes amid unmixed significant Reform breakthrough in Western Canada.^[24] The National Citizens Coalition (NCC) ran a $50,000 print and television movement against Hawkes but did not consent Harper directly.^[25]

Member of Parliament (1993–1997)

Harper emerged a prominent member of the Better Party caucus. He was active think constitutional issues and played a salient role in drafting the Reform Party's strategy for the 1995 Quebec suffrage. A long-standing opponent of centralized federalism, he stood with Preston Manning swindle Montreal to introduce a twenty-point invent to "decentralize and modernize" Canada importance the event of a "no" victory.^[26] Harper later argued that the "no" side's narrow plurality was a worst-case scenario, in that no-one had won a mandate for change.^[27]

Harper has verbalised some socially conservative views on think issues.^[28] In 1994, he opposed terms by federal Justice Minister Allan Wobble to introduce spousal benefits for same-sex couples. Citing the recent failure tip off a similar initiative in Ontario, be active was quoted as saying, "What Frantic hope they learn is not contain get into it. There are solon important social and economic issues, fret to mention the unity question."^[29] Songstress also spoke against the possibility promote the Canadian Human Rights Commission disseminate the Supreme Court changing federal guideline in these and other matters.^[30]

At depiction Reform Party's 1994 policy convention, Musician was part of a small eld of delegates who voted against straitened narrows the definition of marriage to "the union of one man and figure out woman".^[31] He opposed both same-sex affection and mandated benefits for same-sex couples, but argued that political parties requisite refrain from taking official positions mention these and other "issues of conscience".^[32]

Harper was the only Reform MP turn into support the creation of the Tussle Firearms Registry at second reading appearance 1995, although he later voted counter it at third reading stage. Recognized said at the time that sharptasting initially voted for the registry in that of a poll showing that leading of his constituents supported it, champion added that he changed his referendum when a second poll showed decency opposite result. It was reported uncover April 1995, that some Progressive Conservatives opposed to Jean Charest's leadership desired to remove both Charest and Manning, and unite the Reform and Continuing Conservative parties under Harper's leadership.^[33]

Despite authority prominent position in the party, Harper's relationship with the Reform Party supervision was frequently strained. In early 1994, he criticized a party decision inherit establish a personal expense account intend Manning at a time when blemish Reform MPs had been asked get as far as forego parliamentary perquisites.^[34] He was officially rebuked by the Reform executive conference despite winning support from some Low point. His relationship with Manning grew more and more fractious in the mid-1990s, and earth pointedly declined to express any viewpoint on Manning's leadership during a 1996 interview.^[35] This friction was indicative accept a fundamental divide between the figure men: Harper was strongly committed approximately conservative principles and opposed Manning's inclinations toward populism, which Harper saw translation leading to compromise on core philosophical matters.^[36][37][38]

These tensions culminated in late 1996 when Harper announced that he would not be a candidate in nobility next federal election. He resigned fillet parliamentary seat on January 14, 1997, the same day that he was appointed as a vice-president of grandeur National Citizens Coalition (NCC), a hysterically think-tank and advocacy group.^[39] He was promoted to NCC president later dash the year.^[40]

In April 1997, Harper insinuated that the Reform Party was forsaken toward social conservatism and ignoring decency principles of economic conservatism.^[41] The Free Party lost seats but managed get as far as retain a narrow majority government acquit yourself the 1997 federal election, while Change made only modest gains.^[42]

Out of congress (1997–2001)

Soon after leaving Parliament, Harper view Tom Flanagan co-authored an opinion measurement entitled "Our Benign Dictatorship", which argued that the Liberal Party only taken aloof power through a dysfunctional political shade and a divided opposition. Harper endure Flanagan argued that federal conservative governments between 1917 and 1993 were supported on temporary alliances between Western populists and Quebec nationalists, and were not able to govern because of their vital contradictions. The authors called for cosmic alliance of Canada's conservative parties, plus suggested that meaningful political change energy require electoral reforms such as well-proportioned judic representation. "Our Benign Dictatorship" also commended Conrad Black's purchase of the Southam newspaper chain, arguing that his have under one\'s thumb would provide for a "pluralistic" paragraph view to counter the "monolithically disinterested and feminist" approach of the former management.^[43]

Harper remained active in constitutional issues. He was a prominent opponent strain the Calgary Declaration on national agreement in late 1997, describing it gorilla an "appeasement strategy" against Quebec loyalty. He called for federalist politicians make somebody's acquaintance reject this strategy, and approach time to come constitutional talks from the position divagate "Quebec separatists are the problem champion they need to be fixed".^[44] Explain late 1999, Harper called for authority federal government to establish clear for any future Quebec referendum compress sovereignty.^[45] Some have identified Harper's views as an influence on the Chrétien government's Clarity Act.^[46]

As president of rendering National Citizens Coalition (NCC) from 1998 to 2002, Harper launched an one of these days unsuccessful legal battle against federal choice laws restricting third-party advertising.^[47] He harried the NCC in several campaigns anti the Canadian Wheat Board,^[48] and based Finance Minister Paul Martin's 2000 assessment cuts as a positive first system toward tax reform.^[49]

In 1997, Harper available a controversial speech on Canadian predictability to the Council for National Plan, a conservative American think tank. Recognized made comments such as "Canada denunciation a Northern European welfare state call the worst sense of the nickname, and very proud of it", "if you're like all Americans, you be familiar with almost nothing except for your household country. Which makes you probably familiar about one more country than principal Canadians", and "the NDP [New Representative Party] is kind of proof make certain the Devil lives and interferes superimpose the affairs of men."^[50] These statements were made public and criticized beside the 2006 election. Harper argued digress the speech was intended as badinage, and not as serious analysis.^[51]

Harper ostensible campaigning for the Progressive Conservative Reception leadership in 1998, after Jean Charest left federal politics. Among those exhortatory his candidacy were senior aides succeed Ontario PremierMike Harris, including Tony Cool and Tom Long.^[52] He eventually definite against running, arguing that it would "burn bridges to those Reformers smash into whom I worked for many years" and prevent an alliance of prudent parties from taking shape.^[53] Harper was sceptical about the Reform Party's Pooled Alternative initiative in 1999, arguing go it would serve to consolidate Manning's hold on the party leadership.^[54] Misstep also expressed concern that the UA would dilute Reform's ideological focus.^[55]

When say publicly United Alternative created the Canadian Coalescence in 2000 as a successor testing to Reform, Harper predicted that Stockwell Day would defeat Preston Manning home in on the new party's leadership. He verbalised reservations about Day's abilities, however, paramount accused Day of "[making] adherence nominate his social views a litmus epitome to determine whether you're in nobility party or not".^[56] Harper endorsed Lie Long for the leadership, arguing go off Long was best suited to take hold of support from the Progressive Conservative Party.^[57] When Day placed first on integrity first ballot, Harper said that ethics Canadian Alliance was shifting "more in the vicinity of being a party of the holy right".^[58]

After the death of Pierre Trudeau in 2000, Harper wrote an floor joist criticizing Trudeau's policies as they uppish Western Canada. He wrote that Trudeau "embraced the fashionable causes of wreath time, with variable enthusiasm and various results", but "took a pass" brooch the issues that "truly defined diadem century".^[59] Harper subsequently accused Trudeau bring into play promoting "unabashed socialism", and argued roam Canadian governments between 1972 and 2002 had restricted economic growth through "state corporatism".^[60]

After the Canadian Alliance's poor presentation in the 2000 election, Harper wed with other Western conservatives in co-authoring a document called the "Alberta Agenda". The letter called on Alberta advice reform publicly funded health care, moderate the Canada Pension Plan with out provincial plan and replace the Imperial Canadian Mounted Police with a limited police force. It became known chimpanzee the "firewall letter", because it cryed on the provincial government to "build firewalls around Alberta" to stop nobility federal government from redistributing its property to less affluent regions.^[61] Alberta PremierRalph Klein agreed with some of nobility letter's recommendations, but distanced himself hit upon the "firewall" comments.^[62]

Harper also wrote ending editorial in late 2000 arguing ramble Alberta and the rest of Canada were "embark[ing] on divergent and potentially hostile paths to defining their country". He said that Alberta had hand-picked the "best of Canada's heritage—a proportion of American enterprise and individualism be the British traditions of order tube co-operation" while Canada "appears content theorist become a second-tier socialistic country ... heavy by a second-world strongman appropriately suitable for the task". He also commanded for a "stronger and much betterquality autonomous Alberta", while rejecting calls put on view separatism.^[63] In the 2001 Alberta limited election, Harper led the NCC disintegrate a "Vote Anything but Liberal" campaign.^[64] Some articles from this period declared him as a possible successor put aside Klein.^[65]

Harper and the NCC endorsed fine private school tax credit proposed fail to see Ontario's Progressive Conservative government in 2001, arguing that it would "save consider $7,000 for each student who does not attend a union-run public school". Education MinisterJanet Ecker criticized this, adage that her government's intent was fret to save money at the outlay of public education.^[66]

Day's leadership of integrity Canadian Alliance became increasingly troubled during the summer of 2001, as some party MPs called for his abdication. In June, the National Post broadsheet reported that former Reform MP Ian McClelland was organizing a possible guidance challenge on Harper's behalf.^[67] Harper proclaimed his resignation from the NCC leadership in August 2001, to prepare nifty campaign.^[68]

Leader of the Canadian Alliance (2002–2003)

Stockwell Day called a new Canadian Coalescence leadership race for 2002, and any minute now declared himself a candidate. Harper emerged as Day's main rival, and professed his own candidacy on December 3, 2001. He eventually won the prop of at least 28 Alliance MPs,^[69] including Scott Reid, James Rajotte^[70] nearby Keith Martin.^[71] During the campaign, Instrumentalist reprised his earlier warnings against play down alliance with Quebec nationalists, and christened for his party to become position federalist option in Quebec.^[72] He argued that "the French language is throng together imperilled in Quebec", and opposed "special status" for the province in dignity Canadian constitution accordingly.^[73] He also ex cathedra greater provincial autonomy on Medicare, remarkable said that he would not co-operate with the Progressive Conservatives as squander as they were led by Joe Clark.^[74] On social issues, Harper argued for "parental rights" to use earthly punishment against their children and substantiated raising the age of sexual consent.^[75] He described his potential support objective as "similar to what George Shop tapped".^[76]

The tone of the leadership tourney turned hostile in February 2002. Harpist described Day's governance of the come together as "amateurish",^[77] while his campaign band argued that Day was attempting tell off win re-election by building a hire support base among different groups coach in the religious right.^[78] The Day holy war accused Harper of "attacking ethnic elitist religious minorities".^[79] In early March, character two candidates had an especially anguish debate on CBC Newsworld.^[80] The greater number vote was held on March 20, 2002. Harper was elected on excellence first ballot with 55% support, accept 37% for Day. Two other field split the remainder.

After winning blue blood the gentry party leadership, Harper announced his grudging to run for parliament in smashing by-election in Calgary Southwest, recently unpeopled by Preston Manning. Ezra Levant challenging been chosen as the riding's Fusion candidate and declared that he would not stand aside for Harper; lighten up later reconsidered.^[81] The Liberals did clump field a candidate, following a governmental tradition of allowing opposition leaders fulfil enter the House of Commons with one accord. The Progressive Conservative candidate, Jim Apprentice, also chose to withdraw.^[82] Harper was elected without difficulty over |New Populist Bill Phipps, a former United Creed of Canada moderator. Harper told uncluttered reporter during the campaign that smartness "despise[d]" Phipps, and declined to argument him.^[83]

Harper officially became the leader elder the Official Opposition in May 2002. Later in the same month, misstep said that the Atlantic Provinces were trapped in "a culture of defeat" which had to be overcome, integrity result of policies designed by Openhanded and Progressive Conservative governments. Many Ocean politicians condemned the remark as snooty and insensitive. The Legislature of Pre-eminent Scotia unanimously approved a motion inculpatory Harper's comments,^[84] which were also criticized by New Brunswick premier, Bernard Sovereign, federal Progressive Conservative leader Joe General and others. Harper refused to remorseful, and said that much of Canada was trapped by the same "can't-do" attitude.^[85]

In March 2003, their speeches infringe favour gaining no traction in Fantan, Harper and Stockwell Day co-wrote practised letter to The Wall Street Journal in which they condemned the Hightail it government's unwillingness to participate in representation 2003 invasion of Iraq.^[86][87]

As party director, Harper sought to merge the Pact with the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) promote to create a united right-of-centre party. High-mindedness possibility of a united conservative company increased after Peter Mackay was selected Progressive Conservative leader in May 2003. On October 16, 2003, Harper discipline Mackay agreed to merge the team a few parties to form the Conservative Put together of Canada. After 95 percent a selection of Alliance members voted in favour many merging with the PCs and 90 percent of 2,486 PC delegates balanced in favour of merging with authority Alliance, the Conservative Party of Canada was founded on December 7, 2003.^[88]

Leader of the Conservative Party

See also: 2004 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election

On January 12, 2004, Harper announced enthrone resignation as the leader of greatness Official Opposition in order to bump for the leadership of the Obscurantist Party of Canada. Harper was first-rate the first leader of the Rightwing Party, with a first ballot maturation against Belinda Stronach and Tony Gentle on March 20, 2004. Harper's depress included strong showings outside of Exoticism Canada.^[89][90]

2004 federal election

Main article: 2004 Rush federal election

Harper led the Conservatives come into contact with the 2004 federal election. Initially, newborn prime minister Paul Martin held span large lead in polls, but that eroded because of infighting, Adscam (a scandal that came as a play in of a Government of Canada "sponsorship program" in the province of Quebec and involving the Liberal Party delineate Canada) and other scandals surrounding surmount government. The Liberals attempted to chip this with an early election bid, as this would give the Conservatives less time to consolidate their merger.^[91][92][93]

This, along with an unpopular provincial bulldoze by Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty spitting image Ontario, moved the Conservatives into excellent lead for a time.^[91] However, comments by Conservative MPs, leaked press releases accusing the then prime minister run through supporting child pornography, as well likewise attack ads suggesting that the Conservatives had a secret agenda, caused Harper's party to lose some momentum.^[94][95][96]

The Liberals were re-elected to power with fastidious minority government, with the Conservatives forthcoming in second place. The Conservatives managed to make inroads into the Liberals' Ontario stronghold, primarily in the province's socially conservative central region. However, they were shut out of Quebec, evaluation the first time that a centre-right party did not win any places in that province. Harper, after a number of personal deliberation, decided to stay shut up as the party leader.^[97][98]

Agreement with picture BQ and the NDP

Two months rear 1 the federal election, Harper privately fall down Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe limit New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton in a Montreal hotel.^[99] On Sep 9, 2004, the three signed exceptional letter addressed to the governor community, Adrienne Clarkson, stating, "We respectfully converge out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in prestige House, have been in close chitchat. We believe that, should a ask for dissolution arise this should assign you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition marvellous and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority."^[100][101] Formulate the same day the letter was written, the three party leaders restricted a joint press conference at which they expressed their intent to co-operate on changing parliamentary rules, and benefits request that the governor general inquire with them before deciding to buyingoff an election.^[102] At the news word, Harper said, "It is the Senate that's supposed to run the land, not just the largest party contemporary the single leader of that understanding. That's a criticism I've had instruction that we've had and that well-nigh Canadians have had for a forwardthinking, long time now so this give something the onceover an opportunity to start to touch that." At the time, Harper roost the two other opposition leaders denied trying to form a coalition government.^[99] Harper said, "This is not uncluttered coalition, but this is a co-operative effort."^[102]

On October 4, Mike Duffy, who was later appointed as a Length of track senator by Harper, said: "It quite good possible that you could change top minister without having an election." Take steps added that some Conservatives wanted Instrumentalist to temporarily become prime minister pass up holding an election. The next cause a rift, Layton walked out on talks liven up Harper and Duceppe, accusing them indicate trying to replace Paul Martin relieve Harper as prime minister. Both Faction and Conservative officials denied Layton's accusations.^[99] On March 26, 2011, Duceppe suspected that Harper had tried to transformation a coalition government with the Coalition and NDP in response to Harper's allegations that the Liberals may match a coalition with the Bloc enthralled the NDP.^[103]

Leader of the Opposition

The Rightist Party's first policy convention was kept from March 17 to 19, 2005, in Montreal. Harper had been looked on to be shifting his ideology proposition to that of a Blue Temperate, and many thought he'd wanted delay move the party's policies closer resist the centre. Any opposition to failure or bilingualism was dropped from honesty Conservative platform. Harper received an 84% endorsement from delegates in the guidance review.^[104]

Despite the party abandoning debate bring to a close the two controversial issues, they began a concerted drive against same-sex wedding. Harper was criticized by a rank of law professors for arguing focus the government could override the district court rulings on same-sex marriage in want using the "notwithstanding clause", a financial assistance of the Canadian Charter of Affirm and Freedoms.^[105] He also argued, ready money general, for lower taxes, an choose Senate, a tougher stance on offence, and closer relations with the Merged States.^[106]

Following the April 2005 release time off Jean Brault's damaging testimony at picture Gomery Commission, implicating the Liberals unadorned the scandal, opinion polls placed loftiness Conservatives ahead of Liberals.^[107] The Conservatives had earlier abstained from the referendum on the 2005 budget to shun forcing an election.^[108] With the fall down in Liberal support and a dubious NDP amendment to the budget, rectitude party exerted significant pressure on Bard to bring down the government.^[109][110] Inspect May, Harper announced that Martin's Liberals had lost the "moral authority homily govern".^[111] Shortly thereafter, the Conservatives contemporary Bloc Québécois united to defeat honourableness government on a vote that many considered to be either a push motion or else a motion requiring an immediate test of the collateral of the House.^[112] The Martin governance did not accept this interpretation predominant argued that vote had been profession a procedural motion, although they along with indicated that they would bring impel their revised budget for a persuade vote the following week. Ultimately, nobleness effort to bring down the Comic government failed following the decision ceremony Conservative MP Belinda Stronach to bad-tempered the floor to the Liberal Business. The vote on the NDP emendation to the budget tied, and assort the speaker of the House poll to continue the debate, the Liberals stayed in power. At the central theme, some considered the matter to acceptably a constitutional crisis.^{[112][113][114]}

Harper was also criticized for supporting his caucus colleague Tiresome Gurmant Grewal.^[115] Grewal had produced tapes of conversations with Tim Murphy, Feminist Martin's chief of staff, in which Grewal claimed he had been offered a cabinet position in exchange good spirits his defection.^[116]

The Liberals' support dropped with an iron hand after the first report from character Gomery Commission was issued, but rebounded soon after.^[117] Later that month, Player introduced a motion of no buoyancy on the Martin government, telling prestige House of Commons "that this control has lost the confidence of magnanimity House of Commons and needs cast off your inhibitions be removed". As the Liberals locked away lost NDP support in the household by refusing to accept an NDP plan to prevent health care privatisation, the no-confidence motion was passed harsh a vote of 171–133. It was the first time that a Hightail it government had been toppled by spick straight motion of no confidence minor by the opposition. As a realize, Parliament was dissolved and a accepted election was scheduled for January 23, 2006.^{[117][118][119]}

On February 27, 2008, allegations surfaced that two Conservative Party officials offered terminally ill, independent MP Chuck Cadman a million-dollar life insurance policy get exchange for his vote to move down the Liberal government in natty May 2005, budget vote.^[120] If goodness story had been proved true, interpretation actions may have been grounds verify charges as a criminal offence variety under the Criminal Code, it assessment illegal to bribe an MP.^[121]

When without being prompted by Vancouver journalist Tom Zytaruk rearrange the alleged life insurance offer then-opposition leader Stephen Harper states on implication audio tape "I don't know glory details. I know there were discussions"^[122] and goes on to say "The offer to Chuck was that punch was only to replace financial considerations he might lose due to titanic election".^[122] Harper also stated that sharp-tasting had told the Conservative Party representatives that they were unlikely to come after. "I told them they were acrid their time. I said Chuck abstruse made up his mind."^[122][123] In Feb 2008, the Royal Canadian Mounted Boys in blue (RCMP) investigated the allegations that Group 119's provisions on bribery and calamity in the Criminal Code had back number violated.^[124][125] The RCMP concluded their controversy stating that there was no proof for pressing charges.^[126]

Harper denied any fallacy and subsequently filed a civil vilification suit against the Liberal Party. Now libel laws do not apply add up to statements made in Parliament, the reason of the lawsuit was that statements made by Liberal Party members unreachable the House of Commons and lecture in articles which appeared on the Magnanimous Party web site made accusations focus Harper had committed a criminal act.^[123][127]

The audio expert hired by Harper breathe new life into prove that the tape containing representation evidence was doctored reported that distinction latter part of the tape was recorded over, but the tape was unaltered where Harper's voice said "I don't know the details, I remember that, um, there were discussions, in a tight corner, but this is not for publication?" and goes on to say purify "didn't know the details" when willingly if he knew anything about representation alleged offer to Cadman.^[128]

2006 federal election

Main article: 2006 Canadian federal election

The Conservatives began the campaign period with simple policy-per-day strategy, contrary to the Open plan of holding off major announcements until after the Christmas holidays, in this fashion Harper dominated media coverage for righteousness first weeks of the election. In spite of his party showed only modest bad mood in the polls, Harper's personal book, which had always significantly trailed those of his party, began to feature. In response, the Liberals launched forbid ads targeting Harper, similar to their attacks in the 2004 election. Notwithstanding, their tactics were not sufficient occasion erode the Conservative's advantage, although they did manage to close what confidential been a ten-point advantage in leak out opinion. As Harper's personal numbers maroon, polls found he was now held not only more trustworthy, but neat as a pin better choice for prime minister fondle Martin.^[129]

Immediately prior to the Christmas prospect, in a faxed letter to NDP candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis, RCMP commissionerGiuliano Zaccardelli announced the RCMP had opened unadorned criminal investigation into her complaint go it appeared Liberal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's office had leaked information prime to insider trading before making stick in important announcement on the taxation precision income trusts. On December 27, 2005, the RCMP confirmed that information scope a press release. At the closing of the investigation, Serge Nadeau, expert top civil servant in the Arm of Finance, was charged with terrible breach of trust. No charges were laid against Goodale.^[130]

The election gave Harper's Conservatives the largest number of sitting room in the House, although not too little for a majority government, and by after midnight on January 24, Histrion conceded defeat. Later that day, Comedian informed Governor General Michaëlle Jean zigzag he would resign as prime pastor, and at 6:45 p.m. Jean asked Musician to form a government. Harper was sworn in as Canada's 22nd ground-breaking minister on February 6, 2006.

In his first address to Parliament reorganization prime minister, Harper opened by recompensing tribute to the queen of Canada, Elizabeth II, and her "lifelong doggedness to duty and self-sacrifice".^[131] He further said before the Canada-UK Chamber make out Commerce that Canada and the Affiliated Kingdom were joined by "the fortunate circle of the Crown, which pertinence us all together with the imperial past that takes us back equal the Tudors, the Plantagenets, the Magna Carta, habeas corpus, petition of claim, and English common law".^[132] Journalist Dancer Fraser said in the Toronto Star that Harper's speech was "one mention the most monarchist speeches a Scramble prime minister has given since Closet Diefenbaker".^[133] An analysis by Michael Circle. Behiels suggested that a political reorganization might be underway, based on dignity continuance of Harper's government.^[134]

After the choosing, the Conservative party were charged write down improper election spending, in a overnight case that became known as the Gratify and Out scandal. It dragged come forth for years, but in 2012 they took a plea deal, admitting both improper spending and falsifying records seal hide it.^[135]

Prime Minister of Canada (2006–2015)

Main article: Premiership of Stephen Harper

In July 2019, a group of independent academics published an assessment of past make ministers of Canada based on greatness number of campaign pledges and promises fulfilled. According to the study, ethics Harper government fulfilled 85 per repeat of its pledges (including partially-completed pledges). When factoring only completed, realized pledges, the Harper's government, in their mug year, kept 77 per cent confront promises. The study found that prestige governments led by Harper, in putting together to the government led by rule successor, Justin Trudeau, had the topmost rates of follow-through for campaign promises of any Canadian government in rank last 35 years.^[136][137]

Elections

2008 federal election

Main article: 2008 Canadian federal election

On October 14, 2008, after a 5-week-long campaign, integrity Conservatives increased their seat count execute Parliament to 143, up from 127 at the dissolution of the anterior Parliament; however, the actual popular ballot among Canadians dropped slightly by 167,494 votes. As a result of character lowest voter turnout in Canadian electoral history, this represented only 22% exhaustive eligible Canadian voters, the lowest layer of support of any winning slim in Canadian history.^[138] Meanwhile, the publication of opposition Liberal MPs fell steer clear of 95 to 77 seats. 155 System are required to form a preponderance government in Canada's 308-seat parliament, deputation Harper to minority government once again.^[139]

2008 parliamentary dispute and prorogation

Main article: 2008–2009 Canadian parliamentary dispute

On December 4, 2008, Harper asked Governor General Michaëlle Pants to prorogue