Both Men Running Once Worked for Me: Stephen Harper

On April 7, 2025, at the largest political rally in Canadian history, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper endorsed Pierre Poilievre over Mark Carney.

“I am the only person who can say that both of the men running to be prime minister once worked for me,” he said.^[i]

“My choice without hesitation, without equivocation, without a shadow of a doubt, is Pierre Poilievre.”

This is significant for two reasons.

First, Stephen Harper makes few public appearances since he left office. That he chose to step into the spotlight before a massive crowd—estimates range from 12,000 to 15,000—to endorse Pierre Poilievre shows how critical this election is for all Canadians.

Second, Harper is setting the record straight on who really brought Canada through the 2008 financial crisis.

“I have listened, with increasing disbelief, to Mark Carney’s attempts to take credit for things he had little or nothing to do with back then,” Harper said in a letter to Conservative supporters.^[ii]

“He has been doing this at the expense of the late Jim Flaherty, among the greatest Finance Ministers in Canada’s history, who sadly is not here to defend his record. But let me be very clear: the hard calls during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis were made by Jim.”

The British Experience

Carney’s attempted stolen valor aside, Stephen Harper is not alone in calling Carney out for his mismanagement of a national bank.

Liz Truss, the former British prime minister, treasury secretary, and environment minister worked with Carney while he was Governor of the Bank of England.

“Mark Carney is one of the architects of the disastrous economic policies that have ruined the British economy.”^[iii]

“He [Carney] has already demonstrated that he does not have the economic knowledge that’s required to actually deliver growth. My advice to the Canadians would be, do not go down the British path. We are now in serious danger of a financial crisis where the British government won’t be able to fund its debt.”

Notable Quotes

Liz Truss: “I’m hoping for a Pierre Poilievre win.”

John Robson: “Of course he’s enormously talented. The problem is, he [Mark Carney] has all the wrong talents, wrong for making the world a better place and disastrously wrong for making Canada a better place.”^[iv]

Stephen Harper: “I believe that the challenge this country faces today from the United States — as real and serious as it is — should not be another excuse for Liberal failure.”

Pierre Poilievre: “The only difference between Trudeau and his economic advisor is the fact that Mark Carney is weaker and more out of touch, totally conflicted with millions of dollars invested in things that go against Canada’s national interest.”^[v]