OTTAWA — Conservatives are gathering in downtown Ottawa tonight for a gala dinner marking the 20th anniversary of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s government.
The event is taking place at the Rogers Centre and Harper is expected to deliver remarks at around 8:30 p.m.
Guests at the event include Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, former foreign affairs minister John Baird and Peter MacKay, co-founder of the modern Conservative Party of Canada.
Other dignitaries include ambassadors and high commissioners from 20 different countries, senators, former ministers, current and former premiers and former prime ministers of Australia and Ireland.
The event kicked off with a clip from Harper’s election-night speech in 2006 and the crowd cheered as tributes, photos and videos of Harper throughout his years as prime minister played on a large projector.
Poilievre delivered remarks at the event, describing Harper as a mentor.
He said Harper was an “iron strong leader” and said the former prime minister united a movement into a political party dedicated to serving people.
Harper was sworn in as prime minister in February 2006 and served in the role until November 2015, when he stepped down after his party was defeated by Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.
The Harper years brought some sweeping changes to Canada, including a cut to bring the GST to five per cent and some controversial tough-on-crime policies.
Harper also successfully introduced a motion in the House of Commons in 2006 that recognized the Québécois as “a nation within a united Canada” and formally apologized in 2008 on behalf of Canadians for the residential schools system.
The gala is one of several events being held in the nation’s capital this week for what has been described by some as the “Harperpalooza.”
Harper’s official portrait, painted by Canadian artist Phil Richards, was unveiled Tuesday in front of a crowd of ministers, premiers, current and former MPs and other dignitaries.
On Monday, Harper received a gold medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in recognition of his career in public service and later spoke about Arctic sovereignty during a “fireside chat” with fellow former prime minister Jean Chrétien.
Poilievre posted on social media before the gala that Canada thanks Harper for his “steady leadership and lasting legacy of principled, competent government.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2026.
Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
