Harper talks economy in front of Sask. supporters, continues campaign trail in Saskatoon

Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered a speech to supporters in Saskatoon on Tuesday.

Hundreds crammed into the Nu-Fab Building Products shop area to take in the event. Saskatoon Conservative candidates Randy Donauer, Brad Trost and Kevin Waugh were also front-and-centre in the audience.

The prime minister focused most of his speech on the economy.

“There are no better economic fundamentals, there are no better economic prospects, there is no better place to be than our country — Canada,” said Harper to an ovation from the crowd.

Harper also touched on security issues, promising continued support for Israel and Ukraine and continued Canadian involvement in the fight against the ISIS terror group.

That stance sat well with Conservative supporter Robert Urotzky,

“It doesn’t make sense to abandon all our allies — this is not some Iraq-style invasion … this is clearly something that’s defensive, where millions of people are being driven from their home, which is unbelievably sick. Someone needs to stand up for those people,” he said.

While the supporters cheered inside the building for Harper’s speech, outside was a different picture. More than 100 people held up signs reading “Stop Harper” in protest against the Harper government. Among them was 47-year-old construction worker James Pelletier. He said he made time to come protest over Harper’s record on the environment.

“Everybody needs water to live, we need trees, we need air — everything that (Harper’s) doing, a lot of people aren’t going to stand for that,” he said.

Harper’s visit to Saskatoon was his second of the 2015 election campaign. The Conservative Party leader continues his tour in Saskatoon with a photo opportunity with Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek candidate Kelly Block at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Clear Tech at 1500 Quebec Avenue, followed by another rally at Handy Special Events located at 2642 Millar Avenue.