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Harper: Canada wants free and fair elections in Egypt

Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks in St. John's on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (Paul Daly / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks in St. John's on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. (Paul Daly / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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Date: Friday Feb. 11, 2011 8:39 PM ET

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada wants free and fair elections in Egypt and respect for the rule of law.

Speaking in St. John's on Friday, Harper said the federal government also wants Egypt to respect peace treaties it has signed and pursue peace in the Middle East.

Harper spoke during a brief visit to Newfoundland and Labrador as news began to filter out that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was on his way out, but before it was confirmed he had stepped down and handed power to the military.

"We are all seeing what's happening," Harper told a news conference. "Transition is taking place in Egypt."

He said what's happening in Egypt cannot be undone.

"I think the old expression is: 'They're not going to put the toothpaste back in the tube on this one.' "

He said Canada would like those in power in Egypt to lead change.

"Get in front of it," he added. "Be part of it, and make a bright future happen for the people of Egypt."

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Bubbles
said

Who the hell cares what you want. It is a sovereign country with 3 time the population of Canada. They will make their choice as they see fit.


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ RGBrook: Amusingly hypocritical retort to "MARG MM"...coming from someone who compulsively slags PM Harper and the Conservatives at every opportunity, readily gets ridiculously harsh and overtly defensive with the language, and demonstrates his/her personal irritations almost uncontrollably. Rich, my friend. Very rich. Try practicing what you preach and/or setting a respectable political example. Thanks.


Canadian Citizen
said

Mubarak may have stepped down, but it does not mean anything will change in Egypt. Egypt and many other Arab countries like the ones in the Gulf and Jordan will always remain in power by those who are handpicked by the American, British, and Israeli governments. If Egypt wants a real democracy they will be fighting for the right to vote and have a say about who is chosen to be part of the parliament. The people of Egypt should not be celebrating the resignation of Mubarak unless it means that they will be able to vote for who they want in the government since that will actually create a change in Egypt rather than what is going on right now.


joseph latulippe
said

Not exactly jumping for joy would you say? But then again Harper was not exactly rooting for the winning team.


Amr
said

Harper is just a puppet...shame on you Canada...you sould start realy looking outside your borders...and i don't just mean south...you call yourself democratic and just but in fact you have double standerds...stop being afraid of others... and really openup in a true and just way...all you care about is the wellbeing of Israel...you overlook the terrible things that Israel is doing in the region...you turn a blind eye to any nation that asks for reall justice and equality for the sake of supporting Israel...SHAME ON YOU CANADA...


cyberclark
said

Harper would sell his soul to get a positive line in a paper!


MARG MM
said

RGBrook, thanks, you just made my point. Now go ahead and carry on with your hateful comments towards others with differing opinions. By the way, I sleep very well at night.


Danny
said

To the ones complaining about Haper and compairing Canada To Egypt lol, what is wrong with you. Canada is a very free and democratic society if you don't like Harper all you have to do is get of your lazy butts and your soap boxes and just vote him out of power in the next election.


PJHicks
said

I will bet everything that the people who commented on how they wished Harper would step down - never voted in the last election. You don't vote - you have no say - you can't complain. Egyptians are suddenly going to have freedom and have their voices heard and here, you have that privilege and you don't take it, but you know how to complain afterwards. At least vote for Iggy if you wish, and then have good reason to complain afterwards.


PJHicks
said

Prime Minister Harper should be commended for staying out of their affairs. The last thing they wanted was outside intervention. Got my vote!


Kelsey J
said

PM Harper isn't sticking his nose in Egypts business or lecturing them on what needs to be done. He did what (most likely) every other leader of a democratic country did and acknowledged the fact that an amazing thing just happened in Egypt and they are on there way to being a democracy with freedom and rights for their people, regardless of whatever that democracy looks like. Secondly, we have free and fair elections in Canada...everyone is free to go out and vote for whom ever they choose and our system is fair. If people is Canada don't want to be proud of their rights that so many others aren't allowed then that is their choice. Harper didn't funnel money around to win, he changed the rules so that the Liberals actually have to go and fundraise and talk to the people of Canada...instead of just getting their money from mysterious people. Liberals you can complain and slam Harper all you want, its what you do best. He is a good leader and did the right thing showing his support for Egypts new future.


jaydee
said

Who the hell cares what this USA puppet has to say?He withheld all comments until he conferred with Obooma. Now how the heck is going to deal with Israel? Oh well, Obooma will decide.


Mike in Pembroke
said

@ RGBrook, I have read many of your out to lunch postings and was wondering, do you write this stuff or is Iggy dictating it for you. Then again I dont think you or Iggy are smart enough to understand just how dumb you sound. I think the PM did the right thing. It is hard for him to say to much during this stand off until he knew what the out come was going to be. Then again, no matter what he does, you Haper haters would attack him for the sake of bad mouthing him. Mr. PM, I agree with you and well said sir.


George V.
said

For all those Libs and lefties, who want Harper to step down, and want a free and fair election. It is very easy----- just ask the leaders of the coalition to bring down the gov't, The same ones who have threatened and threatened to do so,but don't have the backbone.. They know if they bring down this gov't Harper will end up with a majority gov't. Harper was elected by a fair and free election and will do it again after the next one, the one that will send Iggy back to Harvard.


reidjr
said

So lets see those bashing harper are the same ones saying obama did the right thing. The fact is both should get credit harper and obama.


ONCE A PAT
said

Is this a stance? the tone sounds as sincere as a schoolboy made to apolagize for putting gum in the hair of the girl in front of him


Mike in Ontario
said

My lord, reading some of these post makes me shake my head and wonder where some people get their facts from, like this person Green who is saying "Where over 1 million votes for a political party results in 0 (zero) seats?" Just where do these people dig these numbers up from? I would love to see where these numbers come from. As for the PM saying he wants Egypt to respect peace treaties it has signed and pursue peace in the Middle East. I have to agree with him. If they do not respect the peace treadies we will see one hell of a war in the middle east and God help us all if it comes to war over there.


ONCE A PAT
said

I listened to Harpers speech last week supporting Mubarack, his concern was toward ISREAL, nothing on the conditions leading to this, nothing about the sacrifices made by the people,no aknowledgement of their goal, makes me wonder what the f#%@ we're dying in Afghanistan for. Harper, a man with absolutely no vision, a shark circling looking for an opportunity to strike.


Michael in Nova Scotia
said

@ kenl77 you said Canadians want free and fair elections in Canada.No more of this government for 5 years with 37% crap. Well as I see the problem we have too many parties splitting the vote. Lets see, we have the PC's Liberals, NDP, the Green Party and O yeah the Block plus any independes. Maybe the goverment should passed a law stating that any party that wants to break up the country is not a federal party and can not run for federal election. That would get rid of one party.


RGBrook
said

@Marg MM... Perhaps if people like you weren't cheerleading such pro-Harper nonsense and condemning Liberals with your whining and vile comments your wish might come true. In the meantime take a "sticks and stones" attitude. It will help you sleep at night.


Ontario Taxpayer
said

usual hit and run tactics by the lefty elites....stupid commentary attacks that have nothing to do with the story. If Canadians do indeed feel this way....I expect to see hundreds of thousands demonstrating on parliament hill very soon.


Aval
said

What Canada or other countries want for people of Egypt is not important. Let people of Egypt decide what they want for their independent country.


Pam in BC
said

@ John, Halifax, NS, boy I sure don not know where you liberal Harper haters get your information from. Harper cheating in a Canadian election. Please give me a break


Anne
said

I just have to laugh at these pompous statements coming out of world leaders. 'Canada wants...' And yet, don't our knickers all get in a twist when others look at our country and demand policy change. Brother.


lc
said

Get away from prisons,planes and the senate and these guys are lost.Lord help us if a real international emergency arises.A policy of "if America or Israel are for we're in" is incompetent but worse than that just downright frightening.


danR
said

How about those that think the Havard Cerberus guarding the PMO from decent opposition is even worse than Harper?

Hopefully, the Egyptians will fare better than us.

And get rid of Suleiman and the whole rotten 30-year, Knesset-driven satrapy altogether.


danR
said

Colin R.

I think you know what I meant. I know you're smarter than that.

Again: Mr. Harper (and Mr. Ignatieff): you did nothing to help the Egyptians, you will not lecture them about peace-treaties now.

period.
.


wow really
said

OK i must ask you harper haters out there. What if he said nothing then would you be happy ? NO you would stand on your box and cry and stomp your feet LIKE MY 3YR OLD .......SOME OF YOU HACK JOB LIBS SHOULD STOP AND THINK...YOU SOUND LIKE YOUR LEADER IGGY JUST TOTAL BS


B, St.John's NL.
said

A revolution started on facebook! Let’s start a group to “Free North America” from the Corporations known as Canada and the United States.

All elections are cheated, open your eyes people, step out of their man made reality.

Have a revolution of our own. ;)

All The Best.

B.


Paul
said

I wasn't going to make a comment here until I read all the endless number of bone headed comments. I'm good with criticism that is truthful or based on fact but I'm pretty much fed up with the lies and mistruths of the anti-conservative group. You guys are truly the king of spin and I hope one day the rest of Canada will see through all your dishonesty and send you to the back benches of parliament once and for all. If you’re not careful, it will cause a division down the middle of this country that we’ll never restore. All for what, so you can get back into power.


NO MORE PLS in ON
said

Good Heavens, What a sad commentary on our general level of intelligence. Why are so many compelled to comment with such venom about the PM's remarks ? It's what leaders do. Their doing the same in Indonesia, Finland, New Zealand, India, Peru, on and on. Domestic media ask their leaders to comment on world affairs and then said leader gives a response. No, as a middle power our PM's remarks will have no bearing or influence, but maybe there are some Canadians that would simply like to know the goverments position regardless of the PM's or their political stripe. So, by all means, carry on with your mindless, inane commentary, because your certainly changing minds and influencing others with such persuasive gems.


John, Halifax, NS
said

New headline:Canadians: Canada wants free and fair elections without Harper cheating again (i.e. funneling money around to spend more than others).


caper0115
said

What a knee jerk reaction. Where was this comment a week ago. Back then nothing was said of this kind of an event. Sitting on the fence to see what and where things going to fall is hallmark of this gov't. Always late and on the wrong side.


Doug # BC
said

How about adding, "and where the government says it will do what it promised and will represent ALL the people."


MARG MM
said

Here we go again, the Liberal cheerleaders condeming PM Harper no matter what stance he takes. Damned if he does and damned if he dosen't. Perhaps you would be more credible if you and your Liberal party came up with some viable alternatives rather than spewing out hatred "just because" on a regular basis. It is very evident that the same "group" of people are constantly spewing the same message daily, with no regard to anyone else's opinion, just more Harper hating nonsense.


SUPERSTARKS
said

Those of you calling for "President" Harper to step down and figuring he's leading an "excuse" for a government will have your say come the next election.You disgust me by taking for granted and making a mockery of the process that the Egyptian people have been demanding all this time. A process of fair elections and government by, of, and for the people, like we have here in Canada. If Stephen Harper is still the PM in 30 years (doubtful, I know) it will be because WE kept him there.


JB in Ontario
said

Good to see the people of Egypt want a democracy!


Dave
said

Hey Steve, that's what we want in Canada too!


scott
said

Considering how the political parties in this country play fast and loose with election rules maybe Harper should sit down and shut up before he puts his foot in his mouth. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Given the pathetic, disgusting excuse for a government in Canada, where the hell does Ottawa get off telling other governments how to run their countries. Talk about being sanctimonous and holier than thou.


Bob
said

We are all seeing what's happening in Canada too "PRESIDENT" Harper. Loosen your tie. Free and fair elections do not ensure a leader who can lead. Look at Canada for example... a leader???


Greg in Cambridge
said

Who gives s**t "what Canada wants".It's none of our business so stop grandstanding. Let Egypt decide on it's own what they will do.Besides, nobody interferes in others business like the Americans.Let them make fools of themselves.We don't need the practice.


DON
said

So does CANADA MR HARPER. When are you going to step down for the good of CANADA.


Colin R
said

@danR Harper is talking about the peace treaties they've signed with Israel.Everyone on this board needs to calm down. All of you saying we should stay out of their business belong in the 1930s. Isolationism doesn't work anymore. Every country across the world is saying what Harper said.


kenl77
said

Leaping Lizards! Canadians want free and fair elections in Canada.No more of this government for 5 years with 37% crap.


Jim - North Saanich, BC
said

While some obviously find Prime Minister Harper's remarks offensive, those pundits might wish to contemplate the words of Hillary Clinton a few days ago when she described the political situation in the enitre Middle East as having the makings for "The Perfect Storm". While I often disagree with Mrs. Clinton, I have to totally agree with her on this point.

For those who suggest that this is an uprising by those supporting democracy, I can recall the same words expressed in the late 1970s with the ouster of Shah in Iran which was described by some at the time as a "bold move in support of democracy". Given past history, I, like most, hope that we do see "true" democracy thrive and Egypt uphold exising treaties and that free elections are carried out because if it goes the way it did in Iran in the 1970s, we will indeed have, as Mrs. Clinton put it, "The Perfect Storm".


ruby
said

I am sure the Egyptian people are breathing a huge sigh of relief now that harper has thrown in his two cents worth.

NOT.


Green
said

Free and fair?

Like Canada? Where over 1 million votes for a political party results in 0 (zero) seats?


David Hill
said

We as the Canadian people should ask the Egyptians what they would like and how we can help them ! Let us help with whatever we are able to give them. God bless Canada ! God bless the free Egyptian people ! :)


MS in Ottawa
said

Great so Mubarak is gone, but I think we should fear more what will take his place. If that Islamist Muslim Brotherhood takes over and imposes its own stone age ideals Egyptians may end up being worse off.


Catwoman 38
said

I agree with Jenna, let Egyptians decide on who they want as a leader.Lets stay out of there elections.


J
said

We should not forget that the people were let to hold the demonstration by the police and army. They were not bombed or shot like some other countries have been doing. Even though all sorts of emergency rules in place the forces obeyed decently. It is great.


JENNA
said

Canada should stay the hell out of Egypt's (and everyone else's) affairs!! MYOB! What right do we have imposing our first world style of goverance and democractic process on other countries? The ppl of Egypt were managing their own affairs long before the country of Canada was ever even dreamt of. Do we see Egypt telling us how to run our elections?


Ray, Mississauga
said

If nobody gives a damn about what you want, isn't it better to just be quiet?


PBW
said

The question is not what Canada or Canadians want, but what they Egyptian people want. However, that is tempered by what the army wants. Would the army permit free and open elections if the result were to be a fundamentalist Islamic party in power, a la Iran? Or would they be more inclined towards a more secular type of government? I shall follow this with interest.


Gary
said

If Mubarek really wanted to cling to power and was entirely without a moral compass he could have prorogued government until the unrest settled down.


Linda in Vancouver
said

What could be better than a freedom and democracy in Egypt? That would be huge for the entire world,and help stabalize the middle east.I think we all agree that those people deserve basic human rights,and the dignity that comes with them. But the victory that comes with the departure of Mubarak does not guarantee a better future for Egypt.That will only come after the people see who will be in charge now,and how they can make their lives better.Many people have freed themselves from a dictator,only to find they are in even deeper water when a group of religous wing nuts took control. I will breathe a lot easier when I see who is in the running to govern Egypt. This is not a decision PM Harper or President Obama should have any say in what-so-ever.We can all hope for a particular result, but it's Egyptians that have to sort this out. Obviously it is not easy to remain neutral through this.Especially when we believe in human rights and democracy.But not interfering is the right thing to do.We can encourage an orderly process,but we can't be seen as a natio interfering or imposing our values on Egypt.


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ RGBrook: And if the "Exalted Grand Poobah" didn't promptly come forth and say anything with regard to this momentous event in Egypt, then you'd surely be among the first habitual partisan whiners to complain, and suggest that PM Harper embarrassed Canada (supposedly again). "Tricks are for kids." ...Thanks for another bowl.


Jeremy Clarke
said

I love seeing the two sided comments from the left and right... people just don't understand that it has nothing to do with OUR political parties. The fact is that Harper should have supported the people, who have been suppress for many years, from the start of the protests. you cannot deny the wrongdoing the Egyptian government has put its people through for 30 years and to top it off the 18 day uprising where many were killed and injured during peaceful protests. We all know that Harper is very against peaceful protesting as we saw from the g20 summit in Toronto.


danR
said

Peace treaties? We were at war with Egypt, Mr. Harper?

We have a lot of treaties here in Canada. Dozens of treaties. Broken treaties. Decades of treaties.

Clean up our own back yard.


Doug ^^^ BC
said

Once again the usual collection of Harper Haters crawl out from under their rocks.And one again,they got it WRONG. ANY western government who took a strong stand for or against either side in this domestic matter would be a fool.This is a matter for the people of Egypt to decide.The protestors said that themselves. It is to simplistic to say that we believe in human rights and democracy,so we must stand with the protestors.But then,simplistic answers are the trademarks of the Harper Haters. Personally,I'm glad Mubarak is gone.But the real challenge is still ahead.Who will now form a government.Can a diverse collection of people opposed to Mubarak,unite enough to build a democratic government that will provide peace, order and good government.And build Egypt to all it;'s citizens can be proud? That,I am sorry to say,remains to be seen.We will not know that for quite some time. For now,the protestors have won a battle.The war is ongoing.Supporting EITHER side in this revolution would be seen as meddling.If the people of Egypt fail to form a sound government, people who supported the protestors will be seen as villans.People who encouraged they Egyptians to out a dictator,but were unable to help build a new government. PM Harper was more right that Obama on this file.His words were few,but "an ordely process to a democratic government".A process undertaken by the people of Egypt. Many people in Iran know this could still turn out badly.We hope not.But,if it does,if the people of Egypt think we are responsible for this revolt, however noble the intent,we would be the ones blamed for that failure.Supporting a process is the right thing.Supporting one side,not so much. Sorry "reece",et al.I think you are just plain WRONG!.


James Smith
said

Not congratulations. No words of support for the people of Egypt. Not from our PMThis was a real democratic revolution that brought down a dictator, and brought freedom to a country in the Middle East... and they didn't need us (or a military invasion) to do it.


danR
said

Peace treaties, Mr. Harper? Were we at war with Egypt?

We have dozens of broken treaties here in Canada, take care of those FIRST.

Let the Egyptians take care of their priorities first— rights, free-speech/assembly, religion, education, court justice, freedom from prorogation, etc.—before waving a hypocritical finger under the poor Egyptians' noses.

You did nothing to bolster their 30-year quest for freedom (neither did Ignatieff, either), you will not lecture them now.


Jim in Ottawa
said

Well, in fairness to Mr Harper: shame also on Mr Martin, Mr Chretien, Ms Campbell, Mr Mulroney, Mr Turner, and Mr Trudeau for not condemning this man once over the past 30 years of his dictatorship. Lots of blame to go around. But all of the credit lies exclusively with the Egyptian people.


RGBrook
said

More speculative gibberish from the overly-defensive prof. And he talks about tirades? We know Prof... We know... Liberals (2 legs) bad, Conservatives (4 legs) good. "Yawn".


CS
said

It is not what Canada or the US wants; it's what the Egyptian people want that matters, . It's their country, their future. Today's development proves the power of peaceful protest and I hope the extremists learn from this example.


NS in NB
said

I hope Harper doesn't ask for an open and transparent government . It's not nice to ask for things we don't have.


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

And if PM Harper had stood up in the beginning (or the middle), harshly condemned Mubarak, and "ordered" him to leave, all the partisan pumpkinheads whose vocation it is to criticize the Conservatives and every breath that they take would be flopping on the ground, in political convulsions, and blowing a cranial gasket over him, supposedly, being completely foolish and irresponsible for, allegedly, encouraging the anarchic collapse of Egypt and the possibility that the "Muslim Brotherhood" orchestrates a ruling takeover. Give us a break, and spare us the goofy anti-Harper tirades and diatribes.


RGBrook
said

I'm sure that everyone in Egypt was waiting with bated-breath for Harper's opinion (I mean who doesn't?). They can now proceed accordingly knowing our Exalted Grand Poobah hath spoken... LOL


toon in toon
said

Some of you idiots out there who criticize the Prime Minister for not saying enough earlier are the same idiots who would criticize him if he said too much. You can't have it both ways.


Raj
said

The one thing Mubarak said, was NO to FOREIGN influence, that would not make him leave.I think Obama could have done with a little less pressure, our PM said just the right things. There was no need to go overboard.Egypt has been a friend to Israel,and I fully support both countries.Our PM is right! well done sir


Carl
said

The PM resisted the kind of precipitous change that can lead to instability and insecurity, while urging a genuine democratic transformation. We have yet to see whether the sudden resignation of Mubarak is a good thing. Having the army in power is not a step down the path toward democracy. Mubarak's resignation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for democracy. I think the PM is being very prudent and wise in his approach to this issue.


Lucas
said

To bad that money rules here, the Israeli Puppet Harper says what he is told by Israel to him.


Tim
said

Queue the Harper haters who will post attacks against Harper that absolutely nothing to do with the story. The lefties are very predictable when it comes to this.


Scott_G
said

Great Words from Our PM.I also support the People's Choice in Egypt and hope for them all the best as they Peacefully Force Change and in the future.


MHB
said

Shame on you Mr. Harper! Just a week ago, you supported the dictator in his attempts to stay in power based on request from your Israeli friends! Now that you know that he is falling, you suddenly change your position? Now that the dictator of Egypt has fallen, it is about time that you rethink your immoral foreign policies! Thanks to the NDP and the Liberals for supporting the Egyptian people in demonstrations and rallies! God Bless Egypt! God Bless Canada!


th3r3n3g4d3
said

Egyptians dont care what Canada says. Egyptians dont care what the USA says. Harper should look at his own country before dictating to other countries on democracy.


NS
said

Good call Mr Harper. Hopefully some of the wiser, young people of Egypt move themselves into government positions. Democracy and fair living for all people in Egypt, and an ending to dictatorship starving the masses.


j.brown
said

Perhaps Harper should have called Mubarak and instructed him on how to prorogue parliament. This could have given Mubarak a few months to compile a negative image campaign about his opposition and air it on television.In reality, any step toward democracy is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, dictatorship usually follows dictatorship. I hope the Egyptians get the government they so truly deserve.


Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
said

Good advice from our Prime Minister.


reece
said

After being such a wuss during the uprising - he now sticks his nose in it. Mind your own business Harper - your cowardice during this uprising is well noted. You wimped out BIG TIME. Where was the support for the people?


Michael
said

Unlike the opposition leader the Prime Minister isn't backwards at coming forward about what he believes needs to be done in Egypt.


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