Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada

on Libya’s Liberation

October 23, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the declaration of liberation by Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC):

“Today, Canadians join with the Libyan people in celebrating the liberation of their country.

“The Libyan people have courageously risen up against decades of tyranny. Canada’s involvement, as sanctioned by the United Nations and led by NATO, has supported their aspirations for the future.

“We join Libyans in welcoming the post-Gaddafi era and the transition of the country to a democratic society – one that respects human rights and the rule of law”.

“We again commend the work of members of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force and the leadership of Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard. Their efforts have led to the success of NATO’s mission in Libya. NATO has taken a preliminary decision to conclude the mission at the end of October.

“Canada will continue to work with transitional leaders as the new Libya takes shape.”

 

The Prime Minister’s Office – Communications

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper was sworn in as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister on February 6, 2006.

 

Mr. Harper was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 as the Reform Party of Canada Member of Parliament for Calgary West. He stepped down in 1997 to become Vice President (later President) of the National Citizens Coalition, a non-partisan Canadian organization that advocates for individual freedoms and accountable government. In 2002, Mr. Harper won the leadership of the Canadian Alliance, became Leader of the Official Opposition and returned to the House as MP for Calgary Southwest.

In 2003, the members of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Party of Canada voted to unite as the new Conservative Party of Canada, and selected Mr. Harper as their first leader.

Under his leadership, the Conservatives gained 25 seats in the 2004 federal election, largely as a result of a major breakthrough in Canada’s most populous province, Ontario. Two years later, Canadians gave Mr. Harper and his party a mandate to form a Conservative government for the first time in 13 years.

In 2008, the Harper-led Conservatives were returned to office with a larger seat count and a mandate to guide Canada through the volatile economic conditions presaging the worst global recession in half a century.

On May 2, 2011, he again led the Conservative Party of Canada to victory, this time with a historic strong, stable, national majority government.

Now in his third term, Prime Minister Harper is working hard to secure Canada’s economic recovery. The Government is focused on its top priority — the economy — as it keeps taxes low, eliminates the deficit and lays the foundations for long-term prosperity.

Prime Minister Harper is also continuing to advance Canadians’ interests and values on the international stage. Last year Canada hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the G8 and G20 summits, and a Royal Tour by Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Her grandson, Prince William and his new bride Catherine Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will tour Canada this summer. This will be one of their first official activities as a couple. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Canada is an increasingly popular home for major international events, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Pan-American Games and the Para Pan-Am Games having been awarded to Canada.

Stephen Harper was born on April 30, 1959, in Toronto, Ontario. He moved to Alberta in 1978 to work in the petroleum industry and went on to obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Calgary. Mr. Harper and his wife Laureen have two children, Benjamin and Rachel, and maintain a permanent home in Calgary.