A local political expert believes Stephen Harper’s legacy as former Prime Minister will be overshadowed by his track record as leader of the Conservatives.
Harper recently announced he’s stepping down as the MP for Calgary-Heritage.
Lakehead University Political Science professor Laure Paquette says during his 8 years as PM, Harper tried and failed to move Canada into a more socially-conservative era.
However, she adds, he led the Conservatives to several electoral victories and served as a strong central command of the party.
Paquette says Harper balanced the books by cutting social program spending to historic lows, which she calls his greatest victory but also a factor in his defeat.
