John Weissenberger: Stephen Harper, the Competent Manager
The data clearly demonstrates that while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised 'sunny ways,' he has delivered considerably darker economic days for Canada. As the 2006 election of the Harper government passes one full generation into history, those who participated might be permitted some nostalgia. However, while self-congratulation is tempting, contrasting the Harper years with what followed proves far more instructive for understanding Canada's political and economic trajectory.
The Political Dimension of Nostalgia
Conservatives are frequently accused of pining for a lost 'golden age,' while progressives—who remain wedded to an inexorable march toward their envisioned utopia—often deny there ever was a better time. This political nostalgia takes on concrete meaning when examining actual governance records rather than rhetorical promises.
It was a cold, bright February day when the prospective Conservative cabinet filed into Rideau Hall for their swearing-in ceremony. The event was packed, with one wall strewn with media representatives, their cameras clicking and chattering like mechanical birds. Within weeks, another cold wind blew through the capital as difficult decisions were implemented, including cuts to expensed lunches for bureaucrats that sparked concerns among Ottawa's restaurant community.
The Art of Incremental Governance
Rather than the anticipated 'blue-mageddon,' the Harper government adhered to the principle of incrementalism. This approach represented the art of the possible, particularly given the Conservatives' tenuous minority mandate that persisted until 2011, with the government constantly liable to fall at any moment.
For political neophytes—which included almost all new government members—the experience of governance often proved bewildering. The daily existential crises, endless meetings, blind protocol adherence, and media panic created a challenging environment. Yet amidst this complexity, certain realities became apparent, including the stark conditions of parliamentary facilities that had seen little investment despite massive taxpayer expenditures elsewhere.
Economic Management and Fiscal Prudence
The Harper government's experience with public spending revealed a fundamental truth: unless both feet are pressed hard on the brakes, money will gush out like water from a broken Calgary feeder main. Consequently, economic management consistently erred toward prudence and restraint.
Federal debt under Prime Minister Stephen Harper grew from $494.4 billion in 2005-06 to $612.3 billion in 2014-15, with increases primarily attributable to deficits implemented to mitigate the devastating 2008 financial crisis. By stark contrast, the Liberal government doubled that debt figure within a single decade, reaching over $1.2 trillion by 2024-25.
Comparative Economic Performance Metrics
Examining key economic indicators reveals significant differences between the two administrations:
- GDP Growth: Under Harper's leadership, Canada's GDP growth exceeded that of the United States in five out of ten years. Between 2016 and 2024, this occurred in only two years.
- Bureaucratic Efficiency: The federal bureaucracy was trimmed by almost one-third without major layoffs, decreasing from 380,700 employees in 2006 to 257,000 by 2015. The Liberal government subsequently grew it back to 368,000 by 2024.
- Inflation Control: Annual inflation averaged just 1.7 percent from 2006 to 2015, compared to 2.7 percent in the subsequent nine years, including a peak of 6.8 percent in 2022.
- Housing Affordability: Average house prices increased by 49 percent under Harper, reaching $413,000. Between 2015 and 2021, prices jumped 97 percent to $811,700.
Somehow, the country not only survived but demonstrated resilience during the Harper years, with economic management prioritizing stability and measured growth over dramatic expansion. The contrast with subsequent years highlights different philosophical approaches to governance, with Harper's administration emphasizing competent management while critics argue the Liberals have prioritized virtue signaling over practical results.
As Canada continues to navigate complex economic challenges, this retrospective analysis provides valuable context for evaluating political leadership and its tangible impacts on citizens' lives. The data suggests that managerial competence and fiscal restraint during the Harper era created a foundation that subsequent governments have struggled to maintain while pursuing different policy priorities.
