Stephen Harper, the former Canadian Prime Minister, is making a comeback after a decade-long absence from the political spotlight. Despite his election loss in 2015, Harper has been quietly building a consulting business, but now he's back in the public eye, marking 20 years since his first election victory. During a week-long series of events, supporters dubbed 'Harperpalooza', he delivered powerful statements on current issues, urging cooperation between the two main parties to address existential threats posed by the United States. Harper criticized his successor, Justin Trudeau, for weakening the country and offered advice on renegotiating trade agreements, including reciprocal tariffs on American goods. He also proposed an oil pipeline to the Pacific, aiming to address western alienation and economic dependence on the U.S.
Harper's tenure was marked by controversy, including the long-form census cancellation and the Fair Elections Act. However, his confidants emphasize his focus on incremental change and delivering results. His legacy includes structural changes that have withstood political shifts, such as the GST cut, the long-gun registry's abolition, and the Federal Accountability Act. The universal child-care benefit has been expanded, and over 17 million Canadians now have a tax-free savings account. Harper's trade deals with Asia and Europe have become the foundation of the current prime minister's trade diversification agenda.
Harper's return to the political stage coincides with a reassessment of his history by Canadians. He is widely regarded as the godfather of the modern Canadian right-wing movement, having won elections and united diverse groups. His successors have struggled to secure a plurality of seats or the prime ministership. The Conservative party he built remains influential, though more conservative and western-focused. Harper's bipartisanship with former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on separatism is seen as a positive for democracy. Observers suggest that Harper's success and lessons from his tenure could guide the current Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, in his efforts to regain power.
