
Old Harper speech resurfaces on debate day CBC \|\| December 18, 2005 [KDR: Here is a transcript of Harper's speech. It really is not as revealing as it is made out to be. But then again it depends what you think he stands for. For more information on Harper and the rest of Canadian political parties please see You Favorite Canadian Political Parties] A speech given by Stephen Harper eight years ago has resurfaced just in time for the first debate of the federal election campaign, and the Liberals are likely to claim it as evidence of the Conservative leader's true character. The Canadian Press was alerted Wednesday evening to the 1997 speech given to the Council for National Policy, an American think tank in Montreal. The entire text of the speech can be found on the group's website – although there's no longer a link to it from the list of past speakers. Canadian Press says it was pointed to the story by an "opponent of [Harper's] social policies" who wanted to remain anonymous. Given in Montreal while Harper was a private citizen – he was between stints as an MP at the time – the speech praises American conservatives and slams Canada for being a "European welfare state." The speech also contains comments about gay rights, abortion, bilingualism and the unemployed. By contrast, the introduction to the speech contains the following: "Your country, and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world." Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com The Conservatives have confirmed Harper gave the speech, but say the remarks were intended to be tongue-in-cheek, and have no relevance to the current election campaign. Liberals, however, jumped on the speech, saying it illustrates how a man who wants to be prime minister describes the country to an American audience. U.S.-Canada relations have become an election issue this week, after U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins told Canadian politicians to tone down the anti-Washington rhetoric. Both Harper and Liberal Leader Paul Martin have said Wilkins has no business commenting on a Canadian election campaign. Harper has also tried to distance himself from the administration of President George W. Bush, writing a letter to the Washington Times newspaper in response to a column calling him the White House's dream candidate. Harper made it clear in his letter that he has philosophical differences with the U.S. president. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
In Depth The Number 1 Reason YOU became a Slave Knowledge Driven Look at Your Favorite Canadian Political Parties Coming Soon: 9-11
Archive October November December 2005 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Weekly Features

Old Harper speech resurfaces on debate day

CBC || December 18, 2005

[KDR: Here is a transcript of Harper's speech. It really is not as revealing as it is made out to be. But then again it depends what you think he stands for. For more information on Harper and the rest of Canadian political parties please see You Favorite Canadian Political Parties]

A speech given by Stephen Harper eight years ago has resurfaced just in time for the first debate of the federal election campaign, and the Liberals are likely to claim it as evidence of the Conservative leader's true character.

The Canadian Press was alerted Wednesday evening to the 1997 speech given to the Council for National Policy, an American think tank in Montreal. The entire text of the speech can be found on the group's website – although there's no longer a link to it from the list of past speakers.

Canadian Press says it was pointed to the story by an "opponent of [Harper's] social policies" who wanted to remain anonymous.

Given in Montreal while Harper was a private citizen – he was between stints as an MP at the time – the speech praises American conservatives and slams Canada for being a "European welfare state."

The speech also contains comments about gay rights, abortion, bilingualism and the unemployed.

By contrast, the introduction to the speech contains the following: "Your country, and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world."

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

The Conservatives have confirmed Harper gave the speech, but say the remarks were intended to be tongue-in-cheek, and have no relevance to the current election campaign.

Liberals, however, jumped on the speech, saying it illustrates how a man who wants to be prime minister describes the country to an American audience.

U.S.-Canada relations have become an election issue this week, after U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins told Canadian politicians to tone down the anti-Washington rhetoric.

Both Harper and Liberal Leader Paul Martin have said Wilkins has no business commenting on a Canadian election campaign.

Harper has also tried to distance himself from the administration of President George W. Bush, writing a letter to the Washington Times newspaper in response to a column calling him the White House's dream candidate.

Harper made it clear in his letter that he has philosophical differences with the U.S. president.

About KDR | | Home | | Weekly Features Archive

Weekly

Chicken Little Terrorist: Fake Terror Tapes

Weekly Features Archive

In Depth

The Number 1 Reason YOU became a Slave

Knowledge Driven Look at Your Favorite Canadian Political Parties

Coming Soon:

9-11