Former prime minister Stephen Harper told guests at his portrait unveiling that Canada must be willing to make "any sacrifice necessary" to protect its independence amid perceived pressures from the United States. He urged Liberals and Conservatives to unite against external threats — citing rhetoric about Canada being a "51st state," tariff threats and the Greenland episode — and warned about rising separatist sentiment in Alberta. Mark Carney, former central bank governor, attended and praised Harper’s crisis-era economic leadership.
Harper: Canada Must Be Willing To Make "Any Sacrifice Necessary" To Defend Its Independence From The U.S.
Canada's former Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks during a ceremony for his official portrait unveiling in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
TORONTO — Former prime minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday that Canada should be prepared to make "any sacrifice necessary" to preserve its independence amid what he described as heightened external pressures from the United States.
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper is recognized in the House of Commons following Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Speaking at the unveiling of his official portrait, Harper — who led the Conservative government from 2006 to 2015 — characterized the moment as perilous and urged national unity across party lines.
Canada's Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagne, from left, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Speaker of the House of Commons Francis Scarpaleggia laugh as former prime minister Stephen Harper delivers his speech during a ceremony marking the unveiling of his official portrait in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
“We must make any sacrifice necessary to preserve the independence and the unity of this blessed land,” Harper said, calling on both major parties to come together “against external forces that threaten our independence.”
Canada's Speaker of the House of Commons Francis Scarpaleggia, left, looks on as former prime minister Stephen Harper unveils his official portrait during a ceremony in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Harper’s remarks referenced repeated comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump about treating Canada as a potential “51st state” and threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. He also alluded to the international unease that followed Trump’s reported interest in acquiring Greenland — an episode that raised concerns in Ottawa given Canada’s roughly 3,000-kilometre (1,864-mile) maritime boundary with Greenland in the Arctic.
Canada's former Prime Minister Stephen Harper listens to a speaker during a ceremony for his official portrait unveiling in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
In addition to external challenges, Harper warned about domestic risks to national cohesion. He flagged rising separatist sentiment in Alberta, noting that Premier Danielle Smith has put separatist support at around 30 percent and has been pressing both the federal government and British Columbia to approve a new oil pipeline to the Pacific.
Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and of the Bank of England, attended the ceremony and praised Harper’s record. Carney thanked Harper for denouncing threats to Canada’s sovereignty and applauded his economic stewardship during the global financial crisis.
“He called on us to build a stronger Canada less dependent on the U.S.,” Carney said, adding that Harper had demonstrated pragmatic leadership during the 2008 downturn by running deficits for several years to support the economy.
Harper also expressed hope that his portrait will hang alongside those of other prime ministers for generations to come — a prospect he said depends on political leaders setting aside differences to protect Canada’s unity and independence.
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