Changes

===Policy===

===Policy===

Policy priorities of the Conservatives under Harper have remained fairly consistent since 2006: fighting the [[Recession of 2008]]; aiding the ailing [[Automobile]] industry; improving accountability and ethics in government; lowering taxes; eliminating woman's pay equity; fighting crime; reinvesting in defense; running deficits; bolstering Canada's Arctic sovereignty; partisan politics; promoting national unity; and raising the profile of Canada's role abroad, through its combat mission in Afghanistan, contributions to stabilization in Haiti, and renewed partnership with Latin America.  Harper has been friendly with the U.S.,  despite growing Canadian annoyance with restrictions on border crossings. Harper has been a strong supporter of [[NAFTA]],  and works to increase Canada's oil exports to the U.S.

Policy priorities of the Conservatives under Harper have remained fairly consistent since 2006: fighting the [[Recession of 2008]]; aiding the ailing [[Automobile]] industry; improving accountability and ethics in government; lowering taxes; fighting crime; reinvesting in defense; bolstering Canada's Arctic sovereignty; promoting national unity; and raising the profile of Canada's role abroad, through its combat mission in Afghanistan, contributions to stabilization in Haiti, and renewed partnership with Latin America.  Harper has been friendly with the U.S.,  despite growing Canadian annoyance with restrictions on border crossings. Harper has been a strong supporter of [[NAFTA]],  and works to increase Canada's oil exports to the U.S.

[[Quebec]], with 23% of the national population, its distinctive French-language ("francophone") culture, and is perceived by the western provinces as wielding undue influence on the Federal Government. Until Albertan Stephen Harper became prime minister in 2006, the western provinces had sometimes expressed concern that Ottawa did not fully attend to their oil interests. Ontario, believes that it pays out significantly more to the Federal Government than it gets back in revenues, while the Atlantic Provinces seek to assert greater control over fishing and mineral rights off their shores. The Federal Government ceded some power in a few areas of provincial jurisdiction, while seeking to strengthen the federal role in many other areas such as inter-provincial trade and the regulation of securities.  

[[Quebec]], with 23% of the national population, its distinctive French-language ("francophone") culture, and is perceived by the western provinces as wielding undue influence on the Federal Government. Until Albertan Stephen Harper became prime minister in 2006, the western provinces had sometimes expressed concern that Ottawa did not fully attend to their oil interests. Ontario, believes that it pays out significantly more to the Federal Government than it gets back in revenues, while the Atlantic Provinces seek to assert greater control over fishing and mineral rights off their shores. The Federal Government ceded some power in a few areas of provincial jurisdiction, while seeking to strengthen the federal role in many other areas such as inter-provincial trade and the regulation of securities.