Prime Minister Stephen Harper today congratulated the Canadian athletes, coaches, volunteers and organizers who contributed to making the 2010 Olympic Winter Games held in Vancouver and Whistler a tremendous success:

“These Games were Canada’s time to shine. With the hopes of millions of Canadians resting on their strong shoulders, our Olympic athletes more than shone, they swept away records, amazed us with their courage and showed the world the strength of Canadian athletics.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to thank the entire national Olympic team for providing us with some of the most exciting moments in Canadian sporting history. Your commitment, dedication, spirit and success at these Games have inspired the nation and will undoubtedly motivate young Canadians to follow in your footsteps.

Read full article: 'PM marks closing of Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today filled five vacancies in the Senate. The appointments are another step toward implementing the Government’s tackling-crime agenda and respecting the will of the democratically-elected House of Commons.

Appointed are Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu (QC), Bob Runciman (ON), Vim Kochhar (ON), Elizabeth (Beth) Marshall (NL) and Rose-May Poirier (NB). These appointments give the Government a plurality of seats in the Upper House.

Read full article: 'PM names five outstanding Canadians to Senate'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today underlined the importance of Newfoundland and Labrador’s construction industry in building Canada’s future prosperity as Canada prepares to implement the second phase of its Economic Action Plan.

“In executing the first phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the importance of the men and women of the construction industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and throughout the country, cannot be overstated. As we prepare to launch the second phase, that role will become no less essential,” said Prime Minister Harper in a speech to the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association.

Read full article: 'PM pays tribute to those building Canada’s future'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced changes to the Ministry in preparation for a Speech from the Throne and the implementation of Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Just as it was this past year, our priority in the new session of Parliament will continue to be rapid and effective implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to benefit communities, workers and businesses,” said the Prime Minister. “Investments in infrastructure and initiatives to protect existing jobs and create new ones must continue. At the same time, we must look ahead to future challenges. These include restoring a balanced budget once our economy is fully recovered and building our economic future.”

Read full article: 'Prime Minister announces changes to the Ministry'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is pleased to announce today that the government will fund a green project in Rivière-du-Loup, which will see the construction of a system to treat organic waste and convert it to biogas, a renewable fuel. This project operates under an agreement-in-principle undertaken with the Government of Quebec relating to the Green Infrastructure Fund of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“We recognize the importance of supporting infrastructure projects that will boost the economy and create jobs for Canadians while promoting cleaner, greener living,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Projects like the one announced today in Rivière-du-Loup are part of our strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, in so doing, combat climate change.”

Read full article: 'Environmental Project in Rivière-du-Loup under Green Infrastructure Fund'

The Government of Canada will continue to stand united with Canada’s Jewish community in confronting anti-Semitism and intolerance both at home and abroad, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told members of Thornhill’s Jewish community today.

“Our Government will continue to lead on the world stage when it comes to the fight against anti-Semitism,” said the Prime Minister. “We all have a moral responsibility to expose, confront, and fight this malignant hatred wherever it is found.”

Read full article: 'Ernest Manson Lubavitch Centre'

Will reintroduce restrictions on conditional sentencing that the Liberals, NDP and Bloc removed

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative government will prevent serious crimes from being punished by “conditional sentencing,” commonly known as house arrest.

“Unlike the Opposition parties, we don’t believe that house arrest is a suitable punishment for serious crime,” said the Prime Minister. “And Canadians don’t believe it either.”

Harper said that conditional sentencing – which was introduced by the Liberals in 1996 – is failing Canadians.

Read full article: 'Conservative government will further limit house arrest'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will take further action against tobacco products being marketed to children. The Prime Minister made the announcement after a roundtable discussion with Niagara Region parents about fruit and candy flavoured cigarillos sold in colourful and slick packages, some priced less than a toonie.

“As a parent, I was appalled to see tobacco being marketed in a way that is so enticing to children. Flavouring and packaging them like candy, gum or a fruit roll up,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This just isn’t right. This practice can’t continue. We will not tolerate it.”

Read full article: 'Conservative plan to end tobacco products marketed to children'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today highlighted the economic choice families will face during this federal election: a choice between the Conservative Government’s proven, prudent approach to managing Canada’s economy and Stéphane Dion’s risky plan to impose a carbon tax that would raise the price of everything. Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Toronto, Harper took direct aim at the Liberal scheme designed to raise tax dollars to cover expensive and impulsive spending promises.

“I know what it’s like to juggle jobs, children and mortgages,” said the Prime Minister. “Families need economic certainty. We just can’t afford to experiment with a risky carbon tax on everything.”

Read full article: 'Election Offers Toronto Families a Clear Choice'

The Bloc is powerless and will always be in opposition

Prime Minister Stephen Harper kicked off the federal election campaign today by giving a speech to party supporters in Québec City. The Prime Minister said that Quebecers will have a clear choice on October 14th.

Mr. Harper said “Only the Conservative Party or the Liberals – or less likely the NDP – are in a position to form the next government. Quebecers will have to choose between the Conservatives, who have kept their word, delivered on their promises and strengthened Québec’s place in Canada, and the Liberal Party, which wants to raise your taxes, go back to the times of centralizing federalism, and revive federal-provincial bickering. The Bloc is not a choice for Quebecers for one simple reason: the Bloc will always be in opposition and will always come to Quebecers empty-handed.”

Read full article: 'Québec must choose between Harper and Dion'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death of Corporal James (Jim) Hayward Arnal:

“My sympathies are with the family, friends and loved ones of Corporal Arnal, who died in Afghanistan on July 18.

“Corporal Arnal will be remembered for the dedication and bravery of his service to our country. He was an outstanding Canadian and we mourn his loss.

“We also pray for the full and speedy recovery of the other soldier injured in this incident.

Read full article: 'Statement by the Prime Minister on the Death of Corporal James Hayward Arnal'

At the close of the 2008 G8 Summit today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the leaders of eight of the world’s leading economic powers had made substantive progress on several critical economic, political and environmental issues facing the world, including what the Prime Minister termed a “breakthrough” agreement on the urgent challenge of global warming.

“There is a new consensus on climate change,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The United States and Russia have joined with us this year and now all G8 countries agree on the goal of a 50 percent reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Moreover, G8 leaders have also accepted our longstanding argument that the post-2012 global climate change framework must include all major emitters.”

Read full article: 'PM hails breakthrough on climate change at 2008 G8 Summit'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death of Private Colin William Wilmot:

"I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Private Colin William Wilmot, who died in Afghanistan on July 5. The thoughts and prayers of the nation are with them during this time of great sorrow.

“As a medic working in Kandahar province, Private Wilmot was strongly committed to treating members of both the Canadian Forces and Afghan National Security Forces injured in combat. He participated in numerous security patrols with his fellow soldiers to ensure that immediate medical assistance was available if someone got hurt. Tragically, he was critically wounded on such a patrol in the Panjwayi District when an explosive device detonated.

Read full article: 'Death of Private Colin William Wilmot'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today attended the Official Opening and Statue Unveiling of the Fallen Four Memorial Park, a tribute to the four RCMP officers who were murdered at a nearby farm on March 3, 2005, in what was the worst single-day loss of life for the RCMP in its history.

“Constables Peter Schiemann, Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston and Brock Myrol did not die in vain,” Prime Minister Harper said. “They died in the line of duty, their duty to uphold the rule of law, that precious companion of democracy that protects free, civilized societies from violence, oppression and anarchy.”

Read full article: 'PM attends unveiling of memorial for fallen RCMP officers'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement marking Canada Day:

“Today, Confederation turns 141 years old and there are more reasons than ever to celebrate our country.

2008 is a year of historic anniversaries: the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City by Canada’s first governor, Samuel de Champlain; the 250th anniversary of the establishment of representative government in Nova Scotia, making Canada one of the world’s first democracies; and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia, ensuring our country would one day stretch from sea to sea.

Read full article: 'Statement by the Prime Minister on Canada's 141st birthday'