“Canada’s back" announced the victorious Liberal Party in October 2015. After almost ten years of Conservative Party rule, the Harper era in Canadian foreign policy was over, suggesting a return to the priorities of gentler, more cooperative Liberal governments. But was the Harper era really so different? And if so, why?This comprehensive analysis of Canada’s foreign policy during the Harper years addresses these questions. The chapters, written by leading scholars and analysts of Canadian politics, provide an excellent overview of the government’s foreign policy in a number of different policy areas – from energy policy and the environment to Israel and Afghanistan. They also offer differing interpretations as to whether the transition from minority to majority government in 2011 shaped the way that the Harper Conservatives conceived of, developed, and implemented international policy. The analysis is gripping and the findings surprising, particularly the contention that the government’s shift to majority status was far less important to Canadian foreign policy in the Harper era than it had been under previous minority governments. The reasons why reveal important insights into the Harper decade of foreign policy. | The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy by Adam Chapnick, Hardcover | Indigo Chapters