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In 2011 video, Stephen Harper hams it up with spot-on impressions of former PMs

The Canadian PressJune 12, 2013 15:35
OTTAWA - A rare glimpse into the silly side of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has surfaced online. In a video shot on election day in 2011, Harper does roughly two minutes of comic impressions of what appears to be John Diefenbaker — his favourite prime minister — as well as Joe Clark, Brian Mulroney and former Reform party boss Preston Manning. "I do them all," Harper jokes at one point during his routine, as the handful of people in attendance laugh along — including Conservative Sen. Marjory LeBreton, who has worked with all the leaders Harper spoofed.

Harper remains mum on how he dealt with unfolding expense scandal last winter

The Canadian PressMay 30, 2013 14:47
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper is steadfastly refusing to acknowledge any question about his leadership during the months last winter when an expense scandal involving three of his Conservative Senate appointees was in the public eye. Harper has spent the past three days insisting that he first learned that his chief of staff had helped pay off Sen. Mike Duffy's $90,000 in improper expense claims only after the public was told of the matter by CTV in mid-May.

Could have accepted chief of staff's resignation sooner, Harper admits

The Canadian PressMay 23, 2013 12:48
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged for the first time Thursday that "perhaps" he could have responded more quickly to the news that his trusted chief of staff had footed the $90,000 bill for Sen. Mike Duffy's disallowed housing expenses. Harper conceded that he could have accepted the resignation of former right-hand man Nigel Wright earlier than he ultimately did — four days after Harper and the rest of Canada learned the stunning news about the personal cheque Wright wrote the senator.

Those who seek to benefit from public office should leave Tory caucus: Harper

The Canadian PressMay 21, 2013 11:20
OTTAWA - A "very upset" Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants any federal Conservative who is in politics to seek personal gain from public office to get out of his caucus. Speaking to his MPs and senators in the midst of a scandal that took down his own chief of staff, Nigel Wright, over the weekend, Harper also promised to tighten Senate expense rules.

Appointees to EI boards broke guidelines by making political donations

The Canadian PressMay 21, 2013 04:30
OTTAWA - Dozens of people appointed to plum patronage jobs have been donating to the Conservative party, despite government rules that forbid it. A Canadian Press investigation found as many as one of every five chairpersons on the Employment Insurance Boards of Referees gave money to political parties, riding associations and election candidates while they served on the tribunal. All but one of the dozens of donations went to Conservatives, Election Canada records show. The lone non-Tory donation went to a Liberal riding association in the Toronto area.

Canada's Harper under cloud after chief of staff resigns

May 20, 2013 17:45
By Randall Palmer OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper was under intense pressure on Monday to reassure voters that his administration is above reproach amid questions surrounding a secret check paid to Senator Mike Duffy. "There's been nothing under this prime minister's watch that's tied him so closely to such a massive ethical scandal. We need to see him show leadership," opposition New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Charlie Angus told a news conference.

Harper expected to speak to Tory caucus Tuesday in wake of Senate scandal

The Canadian PressMay 20, 2013 16:15
OTTAWA - Conservatives gathered Monday night to mourn the passing of a key architect in their rise to power — and to brace for the toughest test Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has faced since taking office on a promise to clean up politics in the national capital. A who's-who of Tories had few words for the handful of assembled journalists at Ottawa's National Arts Centre, where a memorial service was being held for Conservative senator and party stalwart Doug Finley, who died earlier this month.

British lawmakers approve gay marriage in historic vote

February 5, 2013 18:45
British lawmakers voted in favour of controversial legislation allowing gay marriage on Tuesday despite fierce opposition from members of Prime Minister David Cameron's own party. The move puts Britain on track to join the ten countries that allow same-sex couples to marry, but Cameron had the embarrassment of seeing more than half of his Conservative legislators refusing to back him.

UPDATE 3-British PM's party split as first gay marriage vote passes

February 5, 2013 08:15
* PM Cameron's party split over legalising gay marriage * Lower house of parliament backs draft law in initial vote * Revolt comes amid talk of leadership challenge against PM (Recasts, updates with vote result, Cameron and other quotes) By Andrew Osborn
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