Old Harper speech resurfaces on debate day
Last Updated: Thursday, December 15, 2005 | 10:53 AM ET
CBC News
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.
- RELATED: Full text of Harper's speech
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."
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.
