Politics·PODCAST

The Pollcast: The Stephen Harper years and beyond

Stephen Harper will take his final political bow on Thursday when he speaks to party members at the Conservative policy convention in Vancouver. But what will his departure mean for his party? Host Éric Grenier is joined by Postmedia's John Ivison to look at the former prime minister's legacy.

Host Éric Grenier is joined by Postmedia's John Ivison

Stephen Harper is expected to resign his seat of Calgary Heritage before the fall.

The CBC Pollcast, hosted by CBC poll analyst and ThreeHundredEight.com founder Éric Grenier, explores the world of electoral politics, political polls and the trends they reveal.


Stephen Harper will speak to party members on Thursday evening at the Conservative Party's policy convention in Vancouver. It could be some of the last words he will speak in public as an elected member of Parliament.

Canada's 22nd prime minister is expected to resign his Calgary Heritage seat before the fall, a seat he has held since returning to federal politics in a by-election in 2002. 

As leader of the Canadian Alliance, Harper led the party into a merger with the Progressive Conservatives in 2003. He then led the merged party to power in 2006, where it remained until it was defeated by Justin Trudeau's Liberals in October.

Harper's 10 years in office have left an impact on the political landscape of the country and shaped the modern Conservative Party. How will Canadians remember his time as prime minister and what will the Conservative Party look like without the only permanent leader it has ever known?

Joining host Éric Grenier to look at Stephen Harper's legacy and the future of the Conservative Party is Postmedia's Ottawa political bureau chief, John Ivison.

With the former Prime Minister about to leave politics, we try to assess his legacy with Postmedia's John Ivison.

Listen to the full discussion above — or subscribe to the CBC Pollcast and listen to past episodes.

Follow Éric Grenier and John Ivison on Twitter.


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