Harper’s back in chatter as Canada’s former PM, amid US-Canada skirmishes and conservative leadership shifts reshaping the map. Born 1959, economist, PM 2006–2015.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has scheduled an Oct. 19 vote asking whether the province should stay in Canada or take legal steps to hold a binding referendum on leaving. Prime Minister Mark Carney has defended cooperation with Alberta and emphasised federal work on a Pacific oil pipeline to address provincial concerns.