PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH AT CALGARY STAMPEDE BBQ ON 4TH OF JULY 2009

Thank you very much. Thank you, thank you very much for that great Stampede welcome.  Thanks to Al and to Elaine for getting us started tonight and thanks to my successor in Calgary West, Rob Anders, for his kind introduction. And greetings to all of my Conservative colleagues, all dignitaries, but particularly all of my Conservative colleagues here tonight from across the city, from across the province and from right across this country.  I want to thank all of you for making it out tonight, and I want all of you to give them a big hand for the great work they do as part of our great national team in Ottawa. And most importantly, I want to give a special thanks to all you folks here from Calgary Southwest.  You always put on the best barbecue of the Stampede. Great Alberta beef, great western hospitality to go along with the greatest show on Earth, and it is always a pleasure for me to take some time away from Ottawa and be back among friends.  Not that I don't have some friends in Ottawa. But this is still home for Laureen, Ben, Rachel and me. Read more

The Conservative Party of Canada is a broadly based and balanced political party. It includes conservatives of all stripes: economic conservatives who stress lower taxes, less debt, and more efficient government; red tories who emphasize a sustainable environment, responsible social programs and important national institutions; social conservatives who want to strengthen our families and make our communities safer; and democratic reformers, who believe government must be responsible to the people rather than to the Prime Minister's Office.

Stephen Harper, Prime Minister

www.conservative.ca

Founding Principles

The Conservative Party of Canada will be guided in its constitutional framework and its policy basis by the following principles:

• A balance between fiscal accountability, progressive social policy and individual rights and responsibilities;
• Build a national coalition of people who share these beliefs and who reflect the regional, cultural and socio-economic diversity of Canada;
• Develop this coalition, embracing our differences and respecting our traditions, yet honouring a concept of Canada as the greater sum of strong parts;
• The Conservative Party of Canada will operate in a manner accountable and responsive to its members;
• A belief in loyalty to a sovereign and united Canada governed in accordance with the Constitution of Canada, the supremacy of democratic parliamentary institutions and the rule of law;
• A belief in the equality of all Canadians;
• A belief in the freedom of the individual, including freedom of speech, worship and assembly;
• A belief in our constitutional monarchy, the institutions of Parliament and the democratic process;
• A belief in the federal system of government as the best expression of the diversity of our country, and in the desirability of strong provincial and territorial governments;
• A belief that English and French have equality of status, and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada;
• A belief that the best guarantors of the prosperity and well-being of the people of Canada are:
• The freedom of individual Canadians to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy;
• The freedom of individual Canadians to enjoy the fruits of their labour to the greatest possible extent; and
• The right to own property;
• A belief that a responsible government must be fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others;
• A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while recognizing that government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion;
• A belief that the purpose of Canada as a nation state and its government, guided by reflective and prudent leadership, is to create a climate wherein individual initiative is rewarded, excellence is pursued, security and privacy of the individual is provided and prosperity is guaranteed by a free competitive market economy;
• A belief that the quality of the environment is a vital part of our heritage to be protected by each generation for the next;
• A belief that Canada should accept its obligations among the nations of the world;
• A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner and display integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all;
• A belief that all Canadians should have reasonable access to quality health care regardless of their ability to pay; and
• A belief that the greatest potential for achieving social and economic objectives is under a global trading regime that is free and fair.

To learn more about the Conservative Party of Canada, please visit our national web site at www.conservative.ca