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Jack Layton’s death changes political landscape for Stephen Harper

Since the death of Jack Layton, Stephen Harper's political reality has changed dramatically.

If there was anything that kept the prime minister up at night, it would have been Layton's challenges to Tory policies, whether on crime or the economy, coupled with his strong public support on the left.

"The new leader of the Official Opposition was a potent politician. Genuinely charismatic, likable, engaging, articulate in English and French," noted Ottawa Citizen columnist Dan Gardiner.

"It seemed impossible the NDP could seriously challenge the Conservatives for government, but if anyone could make it happen, Jack Layton could."

Without Layton, the NDP goes from a potential "government-in-waiting" to an unlikely government at all.

The Liberals are consumed with rebuilding their brand and picking a new leader, and the Bloc and its cadre of sovereignists have been all but eliminated.

Even within his own party, Harper has little to worry about. The Conservative leader doesn't have any serious challengers for his job as Jean Chretien did with Paul Martin.

So, who or what is Harper biggest foe now?

Gloria Galloway of The Globe and Mail suggests it's the economy.

"Canada has weathered the latest downturn better than most other western economies," she wrote. "But the poor economic times that have beset other countries are expected to take their toll here eventually. Economists predict Canada's second quarter GDP will show a slight contraction when the data is released next week."

But even with the economy, the Harper government is in a good position relative to other countries.

The nation's balance sheets are strong, its financial institutions are among the most resilient in the world, and Canada isn't marred with the same levels of debt and deficit that other countries possess.

With no real political competitors and a relatively strong economy, Harper should be sleeping like a baby.

(Reuters Photo)