Canada's rebound guy

Canada's long-running relationship with the Liberal Party ended after a spat over trustworthiness and fidelity. Almost in spite, angry voters have turned to the Conservative Party, but it might be a fleeting affair.

Stephen Harper could be the Rebound Guy, the quick romance after a nasty breakup. The Conservative Party leader from Alberta won a five-year term but he has a slim, minority hold on Parliament.

Harper is the perfect candidate to spite the Liberals. He has talked about tinkering with Canada's national health-care system, he is open to renewing talks about participation in the Bush administration's missile-defense system. Tax cuts are touted, and he wants to reconsider his nation's laws on same-sex marriage. He opposes abortion.

A lot of the positions that shaped the country's long-standing, unenthusiastic view of Harper were glossed over in the election. He blew a strong lead in a 2004 election, but he ran a cautious campaign two years later.

Voters were disgusted with the political and financial scandals that engulfed the Liberal Party, but it is far less clear voters have repudiated party values that kept Liberals in power for 13 years.

Canada is proud of its health-care system and far from enamored of the current occupant of the White House. The nation is increasingly urban and cities want more money returned home for local needs.

Harper might be the perfect foil for voter frustrations with the Liberals and Prime Minister Paul Martin, but Harper's party fell well short of a majority in Parliament.

Canada has a conservative leader for the first time since 1993, but it is not clear at all the country has shifted to the right.