Prime Minister Stephen Harper today outlined the government’s achievements and objectives in reforming Canada’s criminal justice system in a speech to the 6th Annual Gala and Fundraiser for the Canadian Crime Victim Foundation. The Prime Minister said the reforms are replacing a decades-old system that has coddled criminals and made Canadian communities less safe with a system that serves the interests of law-abiding citizens.

“Our government’s approach to criminal justice is fundamentally different from our predecessors’. We believe the central purpose of a criminal justice system is not the welfare of the criminal, but the protection of law-abiding citizens and their property,” said Prime Minister Harper.

Read full article: 'CRACKING DOWN ON CRIMINALS AND PUTTING VICTIMS FIRST'

Today Conservative MP James Moore demands that the Liberal Party explain its total involvement with author Tom Zytaruk and publisher Harbour Publishing after forensic analysis filed in Ontario Superior Court yesterday showed doctoring of a taped conversation between Zytaruk and Stephen Harper.

“The Liberal Party’s line on the Cadman Affair has been contradicted by Chuck Cadman, the RCMP and expert forensic analysts,” said Moore. “The tables have now turned and it’s now time for the Liberal Party to explain its total involvement in aggressively pushing the Cadman Affair both inside and outside the House of Commons.”

Read full article: 'DION LIBERALS MUST EXPLAIN THEIR TOTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE CADMAN AFFAIR'

A scientific analysis by two of North America’s leading forensic audio experts has confirmed that the audio tape widely used by the Liberal Party to accuse the Prime Minister of Canada of involvement in a criminal act was incomplete and had been edited and doctored prior to its release.

Renowned forensic audio expert Tom Owen confirmed the falsified contents of the alleged tape recording of a conversation between Stephen Harper and Tom Zytaruk saying, “this tape has been edited and doctored to misrepresent the event as it actually occurred.”

Read full article: 'Liberals Using Doctored Audio Tape'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death of a Canadian soldier:

"On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Captain Richard (Steve) Leary who died today in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Read full article: 'Statement by Prime Minister Harper on the death of Captain Richard (Steve) Leary'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the occasion of the 7th annual Canadian Forces Day:

"On Sunday, June 1, 2008, people across Canada come together to celebrate the outstanding men and women of the Canadian Forces. Canadian Forces Day provides us with a special opportunity to show our gratitude and to recognize the dedication and professionalism of the Canadian Forces personnel who stand on guard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, defending our freedom and sovereignty. These brave Canadians are to be commended not only for their exemplary and selfless service but also for being outstanding representatives of our great country when they serve abroad.

We also extend our gratitude to military families and loved ones for their tremendous contributions and sacrifices. They lend their strength to the men and women in uniform.

Read full article: 'Statement by the Prime Minister on Canadian Forces Day'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today addressed the 9th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Prime Minister was invited to speak at the Conference by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and both leaders were presented with awards recognizing their nations’ contributions to the protection of biodiversity by the Executive Secretary of the UN Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

In his speech, Prime Minister Harper congratulated delegates on their constructive efforts during the Bonn conference. He also described the work that Canada has done to preserve and protect biodiversity at home and around the world.

Read full article: 'PM addresses UN Conference on the Convention on Biological Diversity'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko as the latter began a three day official visit to Canada. After their meeting, the President delivered an historic address to a joint session of Parliament.

“I wish to thank President Yushchenko for his informative and inspiring address and also for his warm and candid discussion during our meetings,” Prime Minister Harper said. “The President’s visit provides the opportunity to renew and strengthen the deep bonds of friendship between Canada and Ukraine.”

Read full article: 'PM Harper and Ukraine President Victor Yushchenko hail strong Canada-Ukraine relations'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Pat Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, today participated in the Sarnia Construction Association’s 41st Annual Construction Apprentice Graduation.

The Prime Minister spoke to over 100 new graduates and congratulated them on earning their trades certifications. “You’ve made a great career choice” Prime Minister Harper said. “In the coming years Canada is going to need hundreds of thousands of skilled tradesmen and women. Without skilled trades people, you can’t build the factories, plants, schools, housing and other infrastructure we need to keep our economy growing and our country strong."

Read full article: 'PM congratulates apprenticeship graduates'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced a plan to modernize the federal guidelines governing use of “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” labels to ensure they clearly identify the Canadian content in food products.

“Our new guidelines are designed to redefine Canadian food content labels to better reflect the true origins of products in today’s global marketplace,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Our government is tightening the definitions of these familiar labels, so Canadians know exactly what they’re getting, and get exactly what they want.”

Read full article: 'PM unveils labelling plan to clearly identify Canadian foods'

Prime Minister Harper today expressed, on behalf of Canada, his deep sadness and heartfelt sympathy with the Chinese people suffering as a result of the earthquake in China’s Sichuan province last week.

"Canada joins with China as it mourns the tens of thousands of lives lost. We wish a swift recovery to all those who were injured in the earthquake."

Read full article: 'Prime Minister Harper expresses condolences to people of China'

Doug Finley, Director of Political Operations Conservative Party of Canada

January 21, 2008

Dear Mr. Finley:

This letter is in response to your complaint to the CBC Ombudsman about "collusion" involving one of our reporters during the recent Mulroney/Schreiber hearings in Ottawa, during which questions were asked about lobbying efforts by Mr. Mulroney directed toward the current federal government.

Following an investigation by senior management of CBC News, we have determined that our reporter Krista Erickson did, in fact, provide questions to a Member of Parliament in the lead up to the Ethics Committee meeting in December. Those actions, while in pursuit of a journalistically legitimate story, were inappropriate and inconsistent with CBC News policies and procedures, specifically under our Principles, Sec. 3:

"Credibility is dependent not only on qualities such as accuracy and fairness in reporting and presentation, but also upon avoidance by both the organization and its journalists of associations or contacts which could reasonably give rise to perceptions of partiality. Any situation which could cause reasonable apprehension that a journalist or the organization is biased or under the influence of any pressure group, whether ideological, political, financial, social or cultural, must be avoided."

Read full article: 'CBC News Response to Conservative Party of Canada Collusion Complaint'

Conservative MP Peter Van Loan and Conservative Senator Marjory LeBreton marked the one-year anniversary of the introduction of S-4, the Conservative Government’s Senate tenure bill by launching an advertising campaign calling upon Stéphane Dion to demonstrate leadership within his own Liberal caucus.

The campaign includes English-language TV and radio and a bilingual issue-specific website.

The Government’s bill – S-4, Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure) - is a simple and sensible piece of legislation that restricts Senate terms from a current maximum of 45 years to a proposed new maximum of eight years. As of tomorrow, the Bill will have been held up in Senate study for one year which is surprising given that Stéphane Dion has supported restricting Senate tenure.

Read full article: 'Liberals Holding Up Senate Reform'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called Quebec Premier Jean Charest to congratulate him on his electoral victory in yesterday’s election. The Prime Minister also called Opposition Leader Mario Dumont to offer him congratulations on his strong showing.

“We will work to continue delivering real results for all Quebecers, in a spirit of collaboration with the Quebec Government and the National Assembly.

While the election was fought on Quebec provincial issues, I note that Quebeckers responded positively to federalism of openness and that two-thirds of Quebeckers voted against having another referendum.

Canada’s New Government is committed to building a stronger and better Quebec within a strong and united Canada.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Environment Minister John Baird has announced that the Government plans to invest in a national campaign to acquire and preserve ecologically sensitive land in partnership with the private sector.

“This investment will result in the long-term protection of Canada’s natural treasures,” said the Prime Minister. “It builds on the action we took in last year’s budget to fully exempt from capital gains tax private donations of lands to conservation groups.”

The Government’s lead partner in the campaign is the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Nature Conservancy of Canada will work with recognized conservation groups including Ducks Unlimited Canada and members of the Canadian Land Trust Alliance. They will identify ecologically valuable land and seek donation, purchase or preservation agreements with landowners. The government’s new tax policy is expected to stimulate land donations. Where land purchases are involved, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and its partners will seek to raise funds at least matching the government’s contributions. The federal contribution will be $225 million.

Read full article: 'Conservative Party Campaign For National Land Conservation'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Rick Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour by committing $30 million in funding over five years for the Spinal Cord Injury Translational Research Network, established by the Rick Hansen Foundation.

Building upon previous federal and provincial investments, the SCI-TRN is working to create a national network to accelerate the translation of innovative research discoveries into practical benefits for Canadians with spinal cord injuries, generate savings in health and social services and accelerate scientific advances towards a cure.

“Canada’s New Government is proud to support the efforts of Rick Hansen – a true Canadian hero,” said the Prime Minister. “This funding will further aid the Foundation’s efforts to make an immediate, positive difference for Canadians living with spinal cord injuries.”

Read full article: 'Conservative Party Commits Funding to the Rick Hansen Foundation'