By Canadian Press

Some of what was said Friday about Stephen Harper’s decision to resign seat

Aug 26, 2016 | 1:30 PM

OTTAWA — Former prime minister Stephen Harper resigned his House of Commons seat Friday. Some quotes:

“As I bid farewell to the Parliament of Canada and prepare for the next chapter of my life, my eternal thanks to the constituents of Calgary Heritage, to the members of the Conservative party and to all Canadians for having given me the honour of serving the best country in the world.” — Harper, in his resignation statement.

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“Friends, we did a lot together, but I know the best is yet to come.” — Harper.

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“On behalf of Canadians, I thank Stephen Harper for his long & dedicated service to our country. My best wishes to you and your family today.” — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter.

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“As a prime minister who’s also a father, I can understand the sacrifices that have to be made in terms of having a young family while upholding this responsibility for Canadians.” — Trudeau.

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“I understand what it is to be the son of a prime minister, and therefore I’m thinking of Ben, Laureen and Rachel in the support that they’ve given Stephen Harper through many years of politics and I wish them all a very happy and productive and successful number of years away from the political spotlight.” — Trudeau.

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“I do have to say that from the moment I was elected on Oct. 19, Mr. Harper sat down with me and we talked through and we proceeded an orderly transition of power and he conducted himself with grace and with full respect, for not just the office but the country that we serve and love so well.” — Trudeau.

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“Thank you @StephenHarper for everything you have done for our party, and for Canada. #cdnpoli.” — Conservative party Twitter feed.

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“We’ve hardly ever seen eye-to-eye, but I thank @StephenHarper for his years of service in Parliament. Catherine and I wish him well.” — NDP Leader Tom Mulcair on Twitter.

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“In 2003, Stephen Harper was at the forefront of the movement to unite conservative Canadians across this country under one banner. It would mark the beginning of more than a decade of his principled leadership.” — Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose.

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“The record prime minister Harper leaves in office is a proud one.” — Ambrose.

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“Stephen’s brilliant leadership led to a renaissance of the conservative movement and Conservative Party in Canada.” — Former cabinet minister Jason Kenney.

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“Through force of character, great wisdom, and endless work he managed to reunite conservative Canadians and fellow travellers to create a coalition that formed the longest-serving Conservative national government since Sir John A. Macdonald in the nineteenth century.” — Kenney.

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“There’s no question, there is a legacy there.” — Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

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“His statement of apology to former students of Indian residential schools in 2008 was an important step on the road to healing and reconciliation with Canada’s indigenous peoples — a road we continue to travel today.” — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.

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“Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s leadership made him a first-class prime minister. His tenacious economic savoir faire, determination to balance the budget and robust policies that protected Canadians from veritable dangers at home and abroad, made Canada strong and unmistakably a leader on the world stage.” — Sen. Claude Carignan, Opposition leader in the Senate.

The Canadian Press

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