PM Carney praises Stephen Harper and his policies at portrait hanging this week

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Calgary — Pierre Poilievre’s convention success here last week and the Stephen Harper celebrations in Ottawa this week pose an old-as-Laurier question for Canada’s Conservatives: What is the party for?

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Poilievre’s triumph in Calgary came after the bitter disappointment of losing the federal election and his own seat last April. He thus returned (retreated?) to Alberta to run in a byelection and consolidate his leadership.

Yet consider this: What Poilievre was trying to do had never been done. In the history of Canada, with the sole exception of the highly unusual King-Byng affair of 1926, whenever the Liberals have won three consecutive elections, they have never lost the fourth. Ever.

This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

The Liberals have won a fourth consecutive election five times (1908, 1949, 1972, 2004 and 2025). Twice they went on to win a fifth (1953, 1974). Blame Poilievre for this or that, but concede that no one has ever done what he was attempting to do. When Liberals get three, they always get four. Always.

In the election of 2006 — the 20th anniversary of which was marked by Harper’s portrait unveiling in Parliament on Tuesday — the Conservative leader achieved what only Sir Robert Borden had ever done before, namely deny the Liberals........

© National Post