Harper mentioned the word 'change' at least 50 times in his kick off speech and his answers to reporters. Harper said the Liberal government has worn out its welcome and has been damaged by the findings of the Gomery Report into the sponsorship scandal.
"We need to turn the page and make a change. We need change to make government more honest, more accountable, more democratic," he said.
"We need that change to replace the culture of entitlement with a culture of accountability," Harper said in his first comments following the election call on Tuesday.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper delivers his election statement in front of the House of Commons in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov. 29. (CP Photo/Fred Chartrand)
Harper refused to back down on an earlier accusation that the Lliberals were involved in organized crime in the sponsorship program.
"We've heard testimony of reports of money laundering kickbacks and brown envelopes of illegal cash threats and intimidation and this went on for years," he said. "I dont think I need to say more. That's the definition of organized crime where I come from."
The Tories, he said, would clean up government, reduce taxes and get tough on crime, adding that in the coming weeks, he will unveil their plan for Canada.
But he said he would revisit the same-sex marriage debate.
"We were committed at the time of the convention, and through the last debate, to put a free vote to the next Parliament on this issue," said Harper. "It will be a genuinely free vote when I am prime minister. I will not whip the cabinet; cabinet can vote as they want."
Looking ahead to the campaign, Harper took a shot at what he believes will be the Liberal strategy: "The Liberals will campaign as they always do. They will spread fear, they will tell lies."
Harper's first stop Tuesday was at a riding near Ottawa. He plans to spend a lot of time in Ontario where there are many swing ridings.
"When our national government is weak and under a cloud, it hurts our country," Harper told cheering supporters during a visit to the campaign headquarters of former Ontario cabinet minister John Baird.
"When they stole your money, they not only broke your trust, they also failed to deliver on your priorities."
The Conservatives have 23 seats in the province and hope to boost that to 54 seats.
Harper said the voters will have the final say on the Liberal record.
