Implementing the Reform Party agenda: the roots of Stephen Harper’s foreign policy

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the role of the Reform Party in the foreign policy of the Stephen Harper government. Through a comprehensive analysis of various Reform Party documents, called “Blue Books,” from the 1980s and 1990s, this paper assesses the degree to which the Harper government implemented these policy proposals in its foreign policy (foreign affairs, international trade, defense, foreign aid and immigration). It shows that, to a surprising degree, many of these Reform Party foreign policy proposals were implemented. An evaluation of the 10-year record of the Harper government shows that of the 31 priorities identified in the Blue Books, 15 were achieved, three were attempted, 11 were avoided, and two were not applicable.