During his victory speech following a second straight Conservative minority government win, Stephen Harper promised to set aside the rancour that sometimes dominates the House of Commons.
“This is a time for us to put aside partisan considerations and work for the benefit of all Canadians,” he said, indicating a willingness to work with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois.
Speaking before a noisy crowd in Calgary where he won his fourth election in six years in the riding of Calgary Southwest, Harper acknowledged he must work to address concerns about the world financial crisis.
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“We must do what we can to protect the earnings, savings and opportunities of all Canadians. Canadians are worried right now and I understand those worries.”
During the campaign Harper faced criticism for being insensitive to the concerns of ordinary investors and Canadians as a whole, as stock markets plummeted and banks failed around the world.
Harper made three promises for the new government.
* A commitment to govern on behalf of all Canadians.
* To be accountable to Canadians regardless of political stripe.
* To steer Canada through the looming tough economic times with affordable and realistic economic plans.
His promises were reminiscent of early platforms of the Reform party, where he cut his political teeth as a 29-year-old policy chief under Preston Manning.
Promises of accountability to the electorate, a stronger law-and-order platform and responsible budgeting were planks of the party built by Manning and a small circle of westerners.
Manning watched the election from the sidelines as his protégé achieved what he could not —moving from leader of the Opposition to the prime minister’s office.
“I think we made a contribution,” said Manning, who now heads the Centre for Building Democracy, a Calgary institute that provides training and expertise on politics.
Most of the early Reformers have retired since they were first elected in 1993. In Alberta, six retired before this election. Two original Reform MPs, Leon Benoit and Diane Ablonczy, retained their seats.
