Canada's incoming leader receives call from Bush

TORONTO — President Bush telephoned Canada's Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper on Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory in parliamentary elections as ties between the world's largest trading partners were expected to improve.

The Conservative leader's win in Monday's vote ended nearly 13 years of Liberal Party rule that saw strained U.S.-Canadian relations as outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin and his predecessor, Jean Chrétien, opposed the war in Iraq and other Bush administration positions.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush congratulated Harper, but he declined to be more specific about the conversation when asked if the two leaders discussed any specifics such as the new leader's campaign positions on strengthening the military or re-examining Canada's position on the Kyoto Protocol on limiting greenhouse-gas emissions.

Harper criticized his country for not joining the United States and Britain in the Iraq war, and his ideology runs parallel to that of the Bush administration. While he's opposed to abortion, Harper has said his party would not propose legislation to overturn it, although he may give Parliament another vote on same-sex marriage.

The 46-year-old economist failed to win a majority and will be constrained in his policies by the need for an alliance to push through legislation, which could limit his ability to move Canada to the right.

His victory was seen largely as a backlash against corruption scandals and a mandate to cut taxes and be tougher on crime and security.

Many Canadians would balk at any attempts to overturn rights to abortion and gay marriage, or to touch the universal health-care system, a hallmark of national pride.

Harper's victory also was welcomed by U.S. conservative groups.

"We are glad to see that Canadians have values-voters, too," said Bob Morrison of the Family Research Council, a Washington, D.C., group opposed to abortion and gay marriage.

New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton vowed to keep the Tories in check, hailing his left-of-center party's gains as a victory for "ordinary Canadians." The party saw its representation in Parliament go from 18 to 29 seats.

The Conservatives won 124 of 308 seats in the House of Commons, the Liberals 103, the Bloc Québécois 51 and one seat went to an Independent.

Martin stunned supporters Monday night by announcing he would step down immediately as party leader, although he will remain in Parliament.