Hub Podcasts Stephen Harper got the big things right
Feb 7, 2026
A look back at a two-decade political legacy and the steady, disciplined style that shaped governance. New research on political polarization and which side is shifting the most. A debate over whether identity politics is peaking and what moderation might mean. Fresh data on persistent low income in Canada and policy ideas focused on education, work and family stability.
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Value Of Steady Governance
- Sean Speer argues that Stephen Harper's decade of steady governance was valuable amid later institutional weakening.
- He contends Harper's restraint and prevention of bad ideas counts as a major conservative achievement.
Demonstrated Capacity For Big Reforms
- The 2012 OAS eligibility change showed large reforms can be implemented with careful planning.
- Speer uses this to argue the Harper government demonstrated capacity for politically difficult policy shifts.
Polarization Driven By Leftward Shift
- New research using K-means clustering shows polarization grew largely because the left moved leftward, not because conservatives radicalized.
- Speer highlights this challenges the dominant narrative that the right mainly drove polarization.