Canada’s next prime minister, Stephen Harper, promised on Tuesday to deliver change after voters swept his Conservatives to power, ending 12 years of Liberal rule.
”Tonight, friends, our great country has voted for change,” he told a cheering crowd in Calgary after his party emerged as the single largest grouping in the new Parliament after Monday’s election.
”Canadians have asked our party to take the lead in delivering that change. We will honour your words and deliver on our commitments,” said Harper, who must win support for his minority government from leftists New Democrats and Quebec separatists.
Harper, who smoothed a once-prickly image as he hauled his party ahead of the Liberals midway through the bitter seven-week campaign, beat back claims by defeated Prime Minister Paul Martin that he was an extremist.
”To those around the world who have watched us, our message is the same; the result signals a change of government not a change of country,” he said. ”We will stay the course of balanced budget, low inflation, debt repayment and economic stability.
”We will continue to help defend our values and democratic ideals around the world, courageously demonstrated by our young soldiers who are serving and have sacrificed in Afghanistan.” — Sapa-AFP