14 Days: Making the Conservative Movement in Canada

by Bruce Carson

Overview

A first-hand look into the back rooms of the conservative movement in Canada, 14 Days provides insights into how the recent history of the Canadian right has influenced the Conservative government over the past two decades. Bruce Carson, having worked in close proximity to many Conservative leaders, describes a series of important moments in the disintegration, re-integration, and eventual repeated electoral success of the modern Conservative Party, formed from its Progressive Conservative forebears. Carson recounts how decisions are made and communicated, how issues are managed, and policies are developed under Harper's leadership. Crucial moments in the Conservatives' rise to power - from the devastating results of the 1993 election to the growth of the Reform Party and its election as Official Opposition, through the parties' merger, leadership decisions, conventions, and elections as minority and majority governments and most recently, the Conservative Party as majority government holder in Canada - are presented from the point of view of an outspoken witness and active participant. Carson candidly shares information on the government's approaches to Afghan detainees, the Cadman and Schreiber affairs, the 2008 constitutional crisis and worldwide recession, the development of their first budget, and the determination of the tenets of Harper's approach to federalism. A rare, behind-the-scenes account of the Harper Conservatives from opposition to government, 14 Days provides a vivid portrayal of all participants and will be eagerly read by anyone interested in the government's inner circle.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780773591974
Publisher:	McGill-Queens University Press
Publication date:	06/07/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Bruce Carson, former director of the Canadian School of Energy and Environment at the University of Calgary, was a senior aide and advisor to Stephen Harper from 2004 to 2009.

Table of Contents

Prologue ix

Day 1 Nowhere but Up: Post-Election Day 1993 3

Day 2 Open Season: Searching for Leadership of the Right 20

Day 3 Millennium Makeover: The PC-DRC Coalition 33

Day 4 New Alliance Sheriff in Town: Stephen Harper 41

Day 5 PC Leader of the Pact: Peter MacKay 48

Day 6 By-election Wake-up Call: Two Merge into One under Stephen Harper 61

Day 7 Party Launch, 2004: Official Opposition, Springboard Platform, and Housecleaning 77

Day 8 Priming for Election 2006: Strong Research, Targeted Platform, and a Few Lucky Breaks 107

Day 9 Minority First Mandate: A Cabinet Made with Green Timber 141

Day 10 Governing, Part 1: Implementing the Platform and Tackling Unexpected Issues 159

Day 11 Governing, Part 2: Solving Issues - Policy Clashes, Managing People, and Staying Election Ready 195

Day 12 Financial Crisis, 2008: House Manoeuvres and a Stimulus Budget 219

Day 13 Minority Second Mandate: Governing like a Majority 247

Day 14 Majority Third Mandate: The Harper Doctrines 270

The Days Ahead

What the Left Can Learn from the Right 291

An Uncertain Path Forward for the Conservatives 298

Acknowledgments 307

Notes 309

Index 319

Editorial Reviews

14 Days is valuable because it features the observations of a still loyal but unusually frank witness and participant. It will be eagerly read by anyone interested in the Harper Conservative Party.” Paul Wells, author of The Longer I’m Prime Minister: Stephen Harper and Canada 2006–

From the Publisher