Stephen Harper was campaigning on Saturday in what he describes as his ancestral homeland, Moncton.

Susan Lunn

His father was born here. And when he was growing up, he used to visit his grandparents here.

It was also during an interview six years ago about his Maritime roots that he described the region as having a culture of defeat.

Today, it was quite the opposite. Here's what Harper said for the record:

"This area, this economy, you may not see it living here every day, this has come so far from the times when I was a boy," he said.

"This place has developed a strong economy, a vibrant entrepreneurial economy. This is a strong community of families. There is confidence; there is energy. In other words, this is a place where conservative values are strong, and are working."

No sign of defeat anywhere.

— Susan Lunn