Premiership of Stephen Harper

This article discusses Stephen Harper's premiership from when he assumed office on February 6, 2006 until present.

Cabinet

Although the majority of Conservative seats were from the Western provinces, the majority of names which Stephen Harper put forward to the Governor General for appointment as Cabinet Ministers were from Ontario and Quebec, in the interests of regional balance. The new Conservative Cabinet was substantially smaller than the prior Martin administration because it did away with junior ministers (known as Ministers of State, and previously Secretaries of State). Several pundits in the media have described Stephen Harper's Cabinet as moderate, and a tempering of the Conservative Party's roots in the Canadian Alliance and Reform.

In selecting his cabinet Harper chose outgoing Liberal Minister of Industry David Emerson as Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the 2010 Winter Olympics, and Michael Fortier, a senior Conservative Party operative and campaign strategist, as Minister of Public Works, and as an appointee to the Senate. Emerson had been re-elected to parliament as a Liberal only weeks earlier, while Fortier did not contest the previous election at all. Harper argued that the appointments were necessary to provide two of Canada's largest cities (Vancouver and Montreal) with Cabinet representation, as the Conservatives did not win seats in these cities. Critics countered that no such concessions were made for Canada's largest city, Toronto, where the conservatives also failed to win a seat, but proponents of the Prime Minister contest that MP and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, representing the nearby city of Whitby, will represent Torontonians in Cabinet.

Opposition politicians and other critics attacked the appointment of Emerson as hypocritical, as several members of the Conservative Party had criticized former Conservative MP Belinda Stronach for crossing the floor to the Liberals and receiving a Cabinet appointment in 2005, shortly before a critical budgetary vote that amounted to a confidence motion for the then-ruling Liberal party. Emerson's decision was also met with opposition in his riding, where the Conservative candidate had received less than 20% of the vote in the previous campaign, although Emerson himself was re-elected by a large margin over the NDP runner-up. The Harper government defended Emerson's appointment as tapping a politician with previous federal Cabinet experience. Emerson himself suggested that it would help the Conservatives move to the middle of the political spectrum. [cite news | first=Jim | last=McCrae | url=http://www.brandonsun.com/story.php?story_id=18921 | title=Tories left with lots of lemons to squeeze | publisher=Brandon Sun | pages= | page=|date=19 February 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04]

Harper's recommendation of Fortier for appointment was also controversial, as the Conservatives had previously criticized the unelected nature of the Senate. Both Harper and Fortier have stated that the Senate appointment is temporary, and that Fortier will vacate his position at the next federal election to run for a seat in the House of Commons.

Other choices were met with greater support. Toronto mayor David Miller has called Harper's selection of Lawrence Cannon as an appointee to Cabinet as a "very positive step" and "a signal Mr. Harper's serious about reaching out to cities". [cite news | first=Anne | last=Mroczkowski | url=http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20060206-006/page.asp | title=Positive Start | publisher=CityNews | pages= | page= | date=6 February 2006|accessdate=2006-04-04] Harper recommended the appointment of Jim Flaherty as an elected MP to represent the city along with the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Flaherty represents the riding of Whitby—Oshawa, in the Durham Region of the eastern GTA, and his selection as Minister of Finance was viewed positively by the Bay Street business community. [cite news | first=Paul | last=Vieira | url=http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2574& | title=Bay Street likes economic ministers | publisher=National Post | pages= | page= | date=7 February 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04]

On March 3, 2006, Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro announced that he was launching a preliminary inquiry into conflict-of-interest allegations against Emerson and Harper. Shapiro said that he would look into what influence may have been wielded in the decision by Emerson to cross the floor. [cite news | first=CTV.ca News Staff | last= | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060301/emerson_election_060303/20060303?hub=TopStories | title=Harper to be investigated by ethics commissioner | publisher=CTV | pages= | page=|date=3 March 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04] [cite news | first=CBC News | last= | url=http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/03/emerson_060303.html | title= Harper 'loath' to co-operate with ethics commissioner | publisher=CBC News | pages= | page= | date=3 March 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04] Conservatives criticized Shapiro's probe as partisan and accused him of applying a double standard since he was appointed on the advice of the former Liberal prime minister, and had turned down earlier requests in 2005 to investigate Stronach's floor-crossing in which she received a Cabinet post, as well as a questionable land sale by Hamilton area Liberal MP Tony Valeri. [cite news | first= | last= | url= | title=It's a political issue, not an ethical one | publisher=Globe and Mail | pages= | page=A22 | date=4 March 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04] Shapiro had also been under fire from former NDP leader Ed Broadbent for "extraordinarily serious credibility problems". [cite news | first=Canadian Press | last= | url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1141383321201&call_pageid=968332188492 | title=Ethics czar to probe Emerson defection | publisher=Toronto Star | pages= | page= | date=3 March 2006|accessdate=2006-04-04] While agreeing with Harper that Shapiro's investigation was inappropriate, Broadbent and opposition MPs criticized Harper for refusing to cooperate with the Commissioner. [ [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060308/broadbent_shapiro_060308?s_name=&no_ads= "Broadbent blasts tactics to remove ethics czar"] , CTV, March 9, 2006.]

Mr Shapiro concluded that a minister crossing the floor to take a Cabinet position would only have been inappropriate if said Cabinet position was offered in return for some action in Parliament, such as preventing the government from falling on a confidence vote. Emerson's appointment did not fall under those conditions and Shapiro cleared both Harper and Emerson of any wrongdoing on March 20 2006. [ [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060320/emerson_ethics_060320?s_name=&no_ads= "Tories willing to allow vote on floor-crossing"] , CTV, March 20, 2006.] However, Shapiro declined to launch any investigation into Belinda Stronach's floor-crossing, [ [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060330/ethics_stronach_060330/20060330?hub=Canada "Shapiro refuses to probe Stronach defection"] , CTV, March 30, 2006.] even though it was done for exactly the reason that Shapiro claimed would be inappropriate. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/05/17/canada.ap/index.html "Canada's ruling party gets boost"] , CNN, May 17, 2005.]

Deputy Prime Minister and succession

Unlike his recent predecessors, Harper did not name one of his colleagues to the largely honorific post of Deputy Prime Minister. Various observers had expected him to name MacKay, the former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and his deputy party leader, or Lawrence Cannon, as a Quebec lieutenant, to the post. Harper did, however, name an order of succession to act on his behalf in certain circumstances, starting with Cannon, then Jim Prentice, then the balance of his cabinet in order of precedence.

Policy

The Harper government has identified five policy priorities, in the areas of federal accountability, tax reform, crime, child care and health care.

The Conservatives replaced the existing federal child care program with a $1200 per year stipend for each child under age six, paid directly to parents whether or not they incur child care expenses. Harper has stated that his government will work with provincial and local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and employers to create additional spaces, and has set aside $250 million per year to fund these initiatives.

The Conservative Party campaigned on a platform of reducing Canada's Goods and Services Tax from 7% to 6% to 5% which was recently implemented

The Harper government has promised to introduce mandatory minimal sentences for serious and violent offenders, and to introduce a "Patient Wait Times Guarantee" in conjunction with the provinces. Harper has recently been criticised by prominent media figures, such as Paul Wells, for downplaying this fifth and final priority.Fact|date=February 2008

In addition to its "Five Priorities", the government has also devoted significant attention to military issues.

The Federal Accountability Act

On April 11, 2006, President of the Treasury Board John Baird, on behalf of the Harper government, tabled the Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan. The plan will reduce the opportunity to exert influence with money by banning corporate, union, and large personal political donations; five-year lobbying ban on former ministers, their aides, and senior public servants; providing protection for whistleblowers; and enhancing the power for the Auditor General to follow the money spent by the government.

Relations with the United States

Shortly after being congratulated by George W. Bush for his victory, Harper rebuked U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins for criticizing the Conservatives' plans to assert Canada's sovereignty over the Arctic waters with armed forces.

On February 16 2006, Harper named former Progressive Conservative Party Cabinet Minister Michael Wilson as Governor General Michaëlle Jean's appointee to the post of Canada's Ambassador to the United States, replacing Liberal appointee Frank McKenna.cite news | first=CTV.ca News Staff | last= | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060216/wilson_ambassador_confirm_060216?s_name=&no_ads= | title=New envoy Wilson sets softwood as top priority | publisher=CTV | pages= | page=|date=17 February 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04]

Wilson stated in his first press conference as Ambassador that "Softwood lumber is clearly at the top of the heap, the top priority."cite news | first=CTV.ca News Staff | last= | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060216/wilson_ambassador_confirm_060216?s_name=&no_ads= | title=New envoy Wilson sets softwood as top priority | publisher=CTV | pages= | page= | date=17 February 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04]

Harper's first meeting with the U.S. President occurred at the end of March, 2006; and while little was achieved in the way of solid agreements, the trip was described in the media as signalling a trend of closer relations between the two nations.Fact|date=February 2008 Harper told the press that he used "colourful language not suitable for public television" when pressing President Bush privately over his opposition to a U.S. law that will require Canadian citizens to show their passport when crossing the border into the United States. Bush reported that Harper was "a very open, straightforward fella.... If he's got a problem, he's willing to express it in a way that's clear for all to understand, and that's the way I like to deal with people." [cite news | author=CTV.ca News Staff |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060331/harper_mexico_summit_060331/20060401?hub=TopStories | title=Harper concerned with U.S. passport-type policy | publisher=CTV | pages= | page= | date=1 April 2006 | accessdate=2006-04-04]

On April 27, 2006, Harper announced in Parliament that the government had reached a seven-year agreement with the United States in the nations' long-standing feud over softwood lumber. The three major softwood-producing provinces — British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec — accepted the compromise. [cite news | author = CTV.ca News Staff | title = PM strikes deal with U.S. to end lumber dispute | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060426/softwood_folo_060427/20060427?hub=TopStories | format = Free | work = CTV News | date= 2006-04-28|accessdate = 2006-08-31] Leader of the Opposition Bill Graham and NDP leader Jack Layton did not, criticising the deal for not requiring the U.S. to pay back all $5 billion it had collected in tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. [cite news | author = CBC News Staff | title = Canada, U.S. agree to softwood lumber deal | url = http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/04/27/softwood060427.html | format = Free | work = CBC News | date= 2006-04-27 | accessdate = 2006-08-31]

On September 12, 2006, the Canadian and U.S governments officially signed the deal in Ottawa ending the dispute. [cite news | author = CTV News | title = Emerson and U.S. counterpart ink softwood deal | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060911/softwood_deal_060912/20060912?hub=TopStories | date= September 12, 2006 ] Still, it was subject for a confidence vote in the House of Commons during the fall session. The deal would likely have passed with the support of the Bloc Québécois. [cite news | author = CTV News | title = Bloc Québécois to back softwood lumber deal | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060907/bloc_softwood_060907?s_name=&no_ads=|date = September 7, 2006] On September 19, the House voted in favor of the deal 172 to 116 in first reading which eliminated its final hurdle until its official realization [cite news | author = CTV News | title =Softwood deal survives vote in House of Commons | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060919/softwood_vote_060919/20060919/ | date= September 19, 2006]

Following a debate and vote in the House of Commons, the Harper government renewed the NORAD agreement with the United States, making it permanent and adding maritime defence to the agreement, which previously covered only air defence.

First overseas trip

On March 11 and March 12, 2006, Harper made a surprise trip to Afghanistan, where Canadian Forces personnel have been deployed since late 2001, to visit troops in theatre as a show of support for their efforts, and a demonstration of the government's commitment to reconstruction and stability in the region. Harper's choice of a first foreign visit was closely guarded from the press until his arrival in Afghanistan (citing security concerns), and is seen as marking a significant change in relationship between the government and the military. While other foreign leaders have visited Afghanistan, Harper's trip was touted as unprecedented in its length and scope. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20060314/ca_pr_on_wo/harper_afghanistan Yahoo News Article] - Harper in Afghanistan] While the PM, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Minister have visited the region, Governor General Michaëlle Jean has twice been advised not to go.

Relations with the press

Harper has insisted that the Prime Minister's Office has the right to choose which reporters ask questions at press conferences [ [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/05/24/harper05242006.html CBC Artilce] - Harper and Media] , which, along with other steps aimed at limiting and controlling media access, has created some conflict with national media [ [http://www.canada.com/globaltv/national/story.html?id=89eafbaf-ddbe-45b6-aff9-f33ec9cb20a3 Global TV Article] ] . It has been reported that the Prime Minister's Office also "often informs the media about Harper's trips at such short notice that it's impossible for Ottawa journalists to attend the events". [ [http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161553809722&call_pageid=968332188492 The Star Article] ]

=2006 Budget=

The first federal budget of the newly elected Conservative government was brought forth on May 2 2006 by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. It was met with dissent by the Liberal and New Democratic parties and mostly positive reception from the Bloc. The Liberals and NDP voiced disapproval over the Conservatives following through on their election promise to replace the Liberals child care policy with their own, and for replacing Canada's $4 billion environmental policy with a $2 billion "made in Canada" plan of their design. The budget was met with widespread support amongst the business community and polling indicated that a clear majority of Canadians approved of the budget.

While it initially appeared that the only way the Conservatives' budget would pass would be with the support of the Bloc Québécois, the budget passed third reading without dissent on June 6 2006 when the members of the Opposition accidentally failed to stand after the Deputy Speaker of the House called for debate. Because there were no speakers for the Opposition, the budget was declared passed with unanimous support and no recorded vote and thus forwarded to the Senate for approval. This marked the first time in Canadian Parliamentary history where a government's budget passed unanimously on the third and final reading.

On September 25, 2006, the Conservative government announced that within the fiscal year, there was a $13.2 billion surplus that will be used to pay down the country's debt. [ [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060925/surplus_payment_060925/20060925?hub=TopStories CTV Story] - Paying Canada's Debt]

Parliamentary reform

Stephen Harper has indicated a desire to turn the Canadian Senate into an elected rather than an appointed body, an objective previously proposed by the former Reform Party of Canada. His desire includes fixed election dates with earlier elections possible in the case of minority governments. On September 7, 2006, Harper became the first Canadian Prime Minister to appear before a Senate committee and was present to make his government's case for Senate reform.

Apology to Chinese-Canadians

On June 23, 2006, Stephen Harper offered full apology to Chinese Canadians for the country's treatment of Chinese immigrants during the years 1885 to 1923 on the imposing Head Tax policy to them, and subsequent discrimination policies, including subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants from 1923 until 1947. It is estimated about 82,000 Chinese paid the fee, first set at $50 and later raised to $500, about two years' wages at the time. Harper said that Chinese-Canadians who paid the tax or their surviving spouses will receive a symbolic $20,000 ex-gratia payment.cite news | first = Ian | last = Mulgrew | title = Harper makes long-anticipated apology for Chinese head tax | url = http://www.canada.com/cityguides/winnipeg/info/story.html?id=62b7cbf1-ead3-448c-b1c0-ae283cb7a78d&k=35045 | format = Free | work = Vancouver Sun | publisher = CanWest MediaWorks Publications | pages = 1-2 | date= 2006-06-23 | accessdate = 2006-06-23 ]

Israel-Lebanon conflict

At the outset of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Harper defended publicly Israel's "right to defend itself," and described the invasion of Lebanon as a "measured" response, feeling that Hezbollah and Hamas's release of Israeli prisoners would be the key to ending the conflict.cite news|title=Harper sides firmly with Israel|date=2006-07-13|publisher=Globe and Mail|url= http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060713.wHarper0713/BNStory/Front] Many Arab-Canadians criticized Harper's description of the response as "measured".Fact|date=May 2008 On July 17, 2006, Harper noted that the situation had deteriorated since his initial comments, but that it was difficult for Israel to fight "non-governmental forces" embedded in the civilian population. Harper reiterated his earlier support for Israel and called on both sides to show restraint and minimize civilian casualties.

The Canadian government made arrangements to evacuate about 30,000 Canadians, mainly of Lebanese descent, from Lebanon after hostilities broke out. The response was criticized as slow and inefficient.cite news|title=Canadian evacuation going much smoother|date=2006-07-22|publisher=Globe and Mail|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060722.wcaneva20722/BNStory/Front] On July 17, a group of protesters, primarily expatriate Lebanese, protested Israeli aggression in front of the Israeli consulate in Montreal; further protests took place July 22 in localities across Canada.cite news|title=Opponents of Lebanese attack hold vigil outside Israeli consulate in Montreal|date=2006-07-22|publisher=Montreal Gazette|url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=bb1f191f-eadd-4b26-b4c7-e49376aa4fe9&k=16542]

Despite criticisms, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay joined Harper in reiterating support for Israel's position and urging restraint while calling for a ceasefire. Speaking of the situation in both Lebanon and Gaza on July 18, Harper told reporters, "We all want to encourage not just a ceasefire, but a resolution. And a resolution will only be achieved when everyone gets to the table and everyone admits...recognition of each other," referring to the refusal of Hezbollah and Hamas to recognize Israel's right to exist. Harper laid the blame for the civilian deaths on both sides at the feet of Hezbollah. "Hezbollah's objective is violence," Harper asserted, "Hezbollah believes that through violence it can create, it can bring about the destruction of Israel. Violence will not bring about the destruction of Israel... and inevitably the result of the violence will be the deaths primarily of innocent people.".cite news|title=Neutral stance rejected: Opposition criticizes Harper's tough talk|date=2006-07-19|publisher=National Post|url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=c0ada2ed-6c3d-4690-9317-739c4d97fd16&k=49262]

The War in Afghanistan

In early 2006, the Conservative government proposed a motion to extend the Canadian military mission in Afghanistan by at least two years. In May 2006 the House of Commons passed a motion, after a short six-hour debate, to extend the mission until 2009 by a slim 149-145 majority. [cite news | author = CTV.ca News Staff | title = MPs narrowly vote to extend Afghanistan mission | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060517/nato_afghan_060517/20060517/ | format = Free | work = CTV.ca | publisher = CTV Inc. | date= 2006-05-17 | accessdate = 2006-08-31] The Harper government reinstituted a policy of lowering the national flag at military installations such as Department of National Defence headquarters only, drawing criticism that the government was showing a lack of respect for the soldiers. [cite news | title = Four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan | url = http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/04/22/afghanistan-deaths060422.html | format = Free | work = CBC News | date= 2006-04-22 | accessdate = 2006-08-31 ]

In a televised speech on September 11, 2006, five years after the attacks in New York and Washington D.C, Harper linked the events of that day with the current mission in Afghanistan, and encouraged continued support for Canada's military efforts against the Taliban. [ cite news | author = Blanchfield, Mike | title = 'The menace of terror must be confronted' | publisher = Ottawa Citizen | url = http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=5e3f9651-3077-4e96-9f74-ab3cf59e427f&k=56748 |date= September 12 2006 ] During another speech this time at the United Nations Assembly in New York on September 21, he asked the organization for help and mentioned that the crisis "is a test of the world body's relevance" and being the UN's most important test and mission for it. [ cite news | author = CTV News | title = Afghanistan will test the UN's relevance: Harper | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060920/harper_UN_060921/20060921?hub=TopStories |date= September 22, 2006 ]

Environment

Harper and the Conservative government had criticized the Kyoto Accord on measures for controlling the global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Harper considered that the objectives implemented by Canada to comply with the Accord were not realistic. He plans to create a "Made in Canada" solution that will concentrate its efforts on reducing smog pollution which would include regulations on gases coming from car exhaust pipes. [ cite news | author = LCN | title = Rona Ambrose s'attaquera aux gaz d'échappement | url = http://lcn.canoe.com/infos/national/archives/2006/10/20061002-213247.html | publisher = TVA/LCN | date= October 2, 2006] [cite news | author = CBC News | title = Indepth Kyoto | publisher = CBC | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/kyoto/keyresources.html | date= May 3, 2006 ] [ cite news | author = CBC News | title = Reality Check : Goodbye Kyoto? | publisher = CBC | url = http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/realitycheck/goodbye_kyoto.html | date= January 18, 2006 ] In a CTV report in October, however, the Conservatives had mentioned that it would be an approach rather than a plan. [ cite news | author = CTV News| title = Tories downgrade 'Made-in-Canada' Green plan | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061005/environment_approach_061005?s_name=&no_ads= | date= October 5, 2006 ]

On October 10, 2006 in Vancouver, Harper had announced some of the measures to fight smog and also greenhouse emissions such as tax credits to environmental-friendly measures, a repackaged air quality health index and a program to retrofit diesel school buses. He will also introduced to Parliament a Clean Air Act with other measures to be announced in the upcoming days and would focus on long-term objectives. These measures would "move industry from voluntary compliance to strict enforcement; replace the current ad hoc, patchwork system with clear, consistent, and comprehensive national standards; and institute a holistic approach that doesn't treat the related issues of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in isolation." Prior to the announcement, activists groups across Canada had initially listed a series of recommendations to the Prime Minister including regulations on big industries and a recommitment to the Kyoto Protocol. Also, during the press conference, the term "Made in Canada Plan" reappeared. [ cite news | author = CTV News | title = Harper rolls out first part of environment plan | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061009/tories_green_plan_061009/20061010?hub=Canada | date= October 10, 2006]

Details of the Clean Air Act were revealed on October 19, 2006. Its main plan is to reduce greenhouse emissions to about 45% to 65% of the 2003 levels but for the year 2050 with decrease starting in 2020. There would also be regulations for vehicle fuel consumption as well as for industries but not before 2011 and 2010 respectively while oil companies will slightly reduce emissions for each barrel but can still produce more oil barrels until 2020. [ cite news | author = CTV News | title = Conservative government tables Clean Air Act | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061018/environment_act_061019/20061019?hub=TopStories | date= October 19, 2006 ]

In the 2006 budget, the government introduced a 15.25% tax-credit on monthly passes for transit users. [cite news | author = CBC News | title = Tories shift climate change funding to transit | publisher = CBC | url = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/05/02/environment-budget060502.html | date= May 2, 2006 ] On the same day he announced portions of its green approach, Harper also announced a $300 million investment to the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority which would be used in parts in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games [ cite news | author = CTV News | title = Harper rolls out first part of environment plan | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061009/tories_green_plan_061009/20061010?hub=Canada | date= October 10, 2006]

In 2007, it was revealed that Harper had dismissed Kyoto as a 'socialist scheme' designed to suck money out of rich countries in a letter he wrote to party supporters in 2002. [ cite news | author = CBC News | title = Harper's letter dismisses Kyoto as 'socialist scheme' | publisher = CBC | url = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/01/30/harper-kyoto.html?ref=rss | date= January 30, 2007] Recently though Harper has taken a more progressive stance on environmental issues, for example, his pledge to ban incandescent lightbulbs. Fact|date=February 2008

ocial policy

To date, the government during Harper's prime ministership has avoided dealing with many of the more controversial social policy positions of the Conservative party, although they have followed through with increasing the legal age of consent from 14 to 16 years, [cite news | author = CTV News | title = Mixed reviews to Tories' sexual consent bill | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060622/age_consent_060622/20060623/ | date= June 23, 2006] and had promised a free vote to revisit the issue of same-sex marriage. However, the vote did not pass, with even some members of his party voting against it. [cite news | author = CBC News | title = Pope assails Canada's laws allowing same-sex marriage and abortion | publisher = CBC | url = http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Home+Family/060908/U090814U.html | date= September 8, 2006 ]

There were also plans to pass a law that would protect "freedom of religious expression", a law that according to many is perceived as a protection to opponents of same-sex marriage.fact|date=July 2008 The government cut funding to various social programs and festivals, some of which related to the gay community and same-sex marriage, [cite news | author = Rheaume, Normand | title = Festival et mariage gais dans la mire des conservateurs | url = http://lcn.canoe.com/lcn/infos/national/collineparlementaire/archives/2006/10/20061004-131844.html | publisher = TVA/LCN | date= October 4, 2006] [ cite news | author = CTV News | title = Tories blasted on same-sex marriage backup plan | publisher = CTV | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061004/same_sex_061004/20061004?hub=TopStories | date= October 4, 2006 ] and reduced spending for women's advocacy work on the status of women in the country. [ cite news | author = CTV News | title = Tories to cut funding for women's advocacy work | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061004/tories_women_061004/20061004?hub=Politics | publisher = CTV | date= October 4, 2006]

upreme Court

Aside from his legislative agenda, Harper put forward Marshall Rothstein to Governor General Michaëlle Jean for appointment as the new Puisne Justice to the Supreme Court of Canada, on February 23, 2006. Rothstein had been 'short listed' with two other potential judges by a committee convened by the previous Liberal government. In keeping with election promises of a new appointment process, Harper announced Rothstein had to appear before an 'ad hoc' non-partisan committee of 12 Members of Parliament. However, the committee did not have the power to veto the appointment, which was what some members of his own party had called for. [ [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060220.w2harper02201/BNStory/National/home Globe and Mail 20 February 2006.] ]

Stephen Harper sues Liberal Party for libel

PM Stephen Harper launched a lawsuit March 13, 2008 against the Liberals over statements published on the party's website concerning the Chuck Cadman affair. It's the first time a sitting prime minister has sued the opposition for libel. The $2.5-million suit names the Liberal party, the Federal Liberal Agency of Canada and the unnamed author, or authors, of the statements published on the Liberal website two weeks ago. The articles at the centre of the lawsuit are headlined " [http://www.liberal.ca/story_13642_e.aspx Harper knew of Conservative bribery] " and " [http://www.liberal.ca/story_13635_e.aspx Harper must come clean about allegations of Conservative Bribery.] " Those statements question Stephen Harper's alleged involvement in financial "offers" made to Cadman to sway his vote in a crucial 2005 Commons showdown. The suit filed Thursday in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice does not name Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion or MPs Ralph Goodale and Michael Ignatieff - whom Harper also threatened to sue last week. [cite web
url=http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hWO1n_uKv1ZkQkkH9xh-ZpouAj2w
title=Harper files libel suit against Liberals over Cadman statements
publisher=The Canadian Press
accessdate=2008-03-13
last=
first=]

Dona Cadman says that prior to the May 2005 Budget vote, Tom Flanagan and Doug Finley, two Conservative Party officials, offered her husband, Chuck Cadman, a million-dollar life insurance policy in exchange for his vote to bring down the Liberal government. [cite web
url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080227.wcadmann0227/BNStory/National/home
title=Tories tried to sway vote of dying MP, widow alleges
publisher=The Globe and Mail
accessdate=2008-02-27
last=Gloria Galloway and Brian Laghi
first=]

References