Quotes from Prime Minister Stephen Harper during 2008

Some news-making quotes from Prime Minister Stephen Harper during 2008:

Afghanistan extension, Feb. 22: "It seems clear that we have moved significantly toward the kind of bipartisan consensus that can be presented to Parliament for ratification."

Residential schools, June 11: "The government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly. We are sorry."

Making Parliament work, July 31: "Canadians deserve to have a Parliament that works. They want the government to keep governing, to address the issues that matter to them, to keep the country moving forward. So Mr. Dion must decide to either fish or cut bait."

Election call, Sept. 7: "Between now and Oct. 14th, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble. They will choose between clear direction or uncertainty, between common sense or risky experiments and between steadiness or recklessness."

What type of vegetable? Sept. 9: "Let me say this: I would choose, if I had to, instead to be a fruit. Just what I am, sweet and colourful."

Recession I, Sept. 15: "My own belief is if we were going to have some kind of crash or recession, we probably would have had it by now."

Recession I, Sept. 16: "The Canadian economy's fundamentals are solid."

Cuts to arts funding, Sept. 23: "I think when ordinary working people come home, turn on the TV and see a gala of a bunch of people, you know, at a rich gala all subsidized by taxpayers claiming their subsidies aren't high enough when they know those subsidies have actually gone up -- I'm not sure that's something that resonates with ordinary people."

Recession II, Sept. 25: "The only way there is going to be a recession is if they're (the Liberals) elected and that's why they're not going to be elected."

Deficit I, Oct. 6: "There's nothing on the horizon -- notwithstanding the storm clouds, and they are significant -- (that) indicates to me that we should immediately go into deficit."

Market meltdown, Oct. 7: "I think there are probably some great buying opportunities emerging in the stock market as a consequence of all this panic."

Deficit II, Oct. 11: "This is a ridiculous hypothetical scenario. What it really comes down to is you're asking me to say what would Canada do if our economy went to hell in a handbasket. This government is running the economy so it can't go to hell in a handbasket."

Minority government I, Oct. 15: "This is a time for us all to put aside political differences and partisan considerations and to work co-operatively for the benefit of Canada."

Cabinet day, Oct. 30: "We will build a foundation of strength that will protect the earnings, savings and financial security of Canadians and ensure that Canada emerges from this time of global turmoil stronger than ever before."

Tory convention speech, Nov. 13: "We will have to be both tough and pragmatic, not unrealistic or ideological, in dealing with the complex economic challenges before us."

Deficit III, Nov. 22: "These are, of course, the classic circumstances under which budgetary deficits are essential."

Minority government II, Nov. 28: "While we have been working on the economy, the Opposition has been working on a backroom deal to overturn the results of the last election without seeking the consent of voters. They want to take power, not earn it."

Recession III, Nov. 29: "The financial crisis has become an economic crisis, and the world is entering an economic period unlike -- and potentially as dangerous as -- anything we have faced since 1929."

Minority government III, Dec. 3: "If (Stephane Dion) wants to take the unprecedented step of scrapping the results of an election campaign and forming for the first time in Canadian history a government entirely dependent on the support of separatists to run this country, then he has the responsibility not to hide behind parliamentary niceties or deals, but to go to the people of Canada."

Recession IV, Dec. 15: "The truth is, I've never seen such uncertainty in terms of looking forward to the future .... I'm very worried about the Canadian economy."