Harper urges Tories to look to future, unite behind new leader

Former prime minister Stephen Harper broke months of silence late Thursday in a speech to thousands of Conservatives gathered for their national convention, trumpeting how the party has remained “strong and united” in defeat and that “now is the time to look forward.”

Harper used the speech to reflect on the Conservative Party of Canada’s rise to power and achievements of nearly a decade ruling the country, but also stressed the need to move on and unite behind a new leader that will be selected in a year.

Introduced to AC/DC’s hit song Thunderstruck, Harper delivered a 17-minute speech that electrified Conservative faithful who came to see what could be one of his final public addresses as an MP.

“The party that you have built over the last 13 years is strong today, and it will be even stronger in the future. In a year you will select, from among many outstanding candidates, a new leader and you will unite behind that person,” Harper told a crowd of more than 2,000 Conservative members packed into a hall at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

“Because in 2019, perhaps more than we understand even now, our country will need a strong, united Conservative party ready to govern.”

Harper highlighted that for the first time in more than a century, a long-serving Conservative government, “even in defeat, has emerged strong and united — the one and only opposition party positioned to take the government the next time around.”

The former prime minister noted his government’s record of tax cuts, balancing the books, tough-on-crime initiatives, launching an ambitious free-trade agenda, and what he said was the decline of Quebec separatism and western alienation. He also noted the Conservatives are the strongest financially of the major federal parties, even after losing an election.

But Harper also stressed it’s time for the Conservative party to move on and focus on the future.

He thanked interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose, saying she has quickly become “one of the most effective opposition leaders this country has ever seen,” and urged party faithful to come together to defeat the Liberals in the next election.

“We have a proud record, but frankly, the past is no place to linger. Now is the time to look forward. Our party’s journey is only beginning,” Harper said.

“Millions of Canadians entrusted us with their votes, and I know in the months and years to come, you will work hard to secure the votes of millions more. I know you will continue to build our organization from coast to coast to coast.”

Harper also took a few moments to thank his wife Laureen — his “best friend, my closest counsellor and the love of my life” — and children Ben and Rachel for their support, as well as voters in his Calgary Heritage constituency.

He also joked that he likes having a life outside the spotlight, quipping that he is “kind of enjoying being off centre stage.”

Harper has kept a low profile following his party’s Oct. 19 election defeat and has not spoken with the media since.

Many Conservatives have publicly and privately blamed Harper and his campaign team for the party’s relegation to official Opposition status, saying they didn’t get the “tone” correct during the election campaign.

Nevertheless, Conservatives on the convention floor still provide glowing reviews of Harper’s nearly 10 years in power and believe he left a strong record of achievements.

Indeed, federal Conservatives said their own official thank you before the speech to the only permanent leader their party has ever known, with a four-minute video tribute to Harper at a convention where he’s still very much omnipresent.

The tribute recognized what the party called “a decade of strong leadership and good government” and his “commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society” through measures such as strengthening child protection laws.

It also highlighted Harper’s free-trade agenda, balanced budgets and helping “make life more affordable for Canadians.”

The former prime minister is expected to resign his Calgary Heritage seat before the fall sitting of Parliament.

The Conservative Party of Canada has very much been Harper’s party since the moment he won the leadership of the new entity in 2004.

The influence he has had on the party is vividly on display in Vancouver, including on policy being debated. Harper loyalists remain actively involved in the party.

One of the tables at the convention is a tribute to Harper’s more than 10 years at the helm of the party and close to a decade as prime minister.

A large banner hangs behind the table that says “Thank you Stephen Harper For a Decade of Excellence! — from Canadians ‘Coast to Coast to Coast.’ ”

There are fridge magnets with the same image of the banner, as well as pins for sale dating back to the Canadian Alliance days and postcards of Harper’s family at 24 Sussex Drive.

Conservative party member Robert Benzen, a constituent in Harper’s Calgary Heritage riding, helped organize a tribute table and spearhead a campaign that has seen the thank-you message posted on about 40 billboards across the country — including one this week near the convention centre.

“He made the party,” Benzen said. “It was just a thank you.… We don’t say thank you enough.”

The thank-you campaign was conceived the night of the election defeat and started out with a couple of billboards in Calgary over the past few months. But there was such a positive response and offers of donations, Benzen said, that they decided to launch the billboard messages across Canada.