It seems to me PM Harper may be beginning to change to his new incarnation he wants to present to Canadians in the next election. I say so because against type for the first time he has appointed someone who was extremely critical of his government on the environment and the oil sands in Alberta and happens to be a strong environmentalist. That someone is the new Ontario Lt-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
The new Harper, if the change is real, at least from now to the next election polling day would never pick an unnecessary and ugly fight with the Chief Justice of Canada that he would be bruised by.
He has lived through the senate scandal, perhaps a little humbled but not down. Nigel Wright, the closest link to him in the senate scandal has not been charged and is safely beyond Canadian borders. The senate is no longer an issue an electorate with short memory will remember in the polling booth.
The temporary foreign worker program (FWP) has been changed for the better. As far as I am concerned one temporary foreign worker at a time or many is not the way to enhance and strengthen Canada. If we need workers, permanent immigrants who have a stake in the future of the country are the best way to go. Justin Trudeau says the revamped FWP hurts Alberta in particular. Unless something drastically wrong happens to his strength in Alberta Harper has an iron clad Alberta base which would go smoothly for him oiled literally as it is with oil. In an effort to appear equitable to all provinces and territories he can afford to be a little tough with Alberta.
All of that tells me the Liberals can't just coast on the old/current Harper persona but must contend with the new one for which the political surgery, cosmetic perhaps it may be, has just begun. The new Lt-Governor of Ontario is the first cut.
Trudeau is likable and new. Harper may be on the mend on both those fronts. Some may argue it may be too late for him in the likability or the newness department. I remember the 'blue sweater' Harper from one of the past election campaigns. Liberals will underestimate him at their own peril.
Come election time when people pay at least a little more attention to these things than in the off years , particularly the summers thereof, the new post-surgery Harper with a balanced budget and a smile may be tough to beat. I didn't say impossible!