Stephen Harper went into hostile political territory Saturday urging Newfoundlanders not to listen to Premier Danny Williams' "Anybody but Conservative" campaign.
Despite the popular Williams' constant anti-Harper rhetoric, the federal Tory leader was only greeted by a small group of protesters as he arrived in Newfoundland for a campaign stop in Harbour Grace.
About a dozen protesters met Harper there and one was detained by police for attempting to attend the speech without an invitation.
Some of the protesters used Newfoundland's pre-Confederation flag to voice their displeasure with Harper.
Harper's campaign speech went off without any problems.
"You are -- as the slogan says -- proud, strong, determined," Harper said to a crowd of about 150 people.
"I can't tell you how to vote. No one can tell a Newfoundlander or a Labradorian how to vote. Your vote is not about personality fights. Your vote is about your own best interests."
Earlier in New Brunswick, Harper said that: "Premier Williams has a vote -- like every other person in this country."
"But there's half a million other Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who will have their vote as well. And I'm convinced we've got a pretty good case to make to them."
Harper has downplayed the rift between his government and Williams.
"You know, it's not terribly unusual for provincial governments to have different positions from the federal government, even (a government) of their own stripe," he said in Fredericton, N.B. earlier Saturday.
Williams has accused Harper of breaking his word about an equalization agreement with Newfoundland over offshore oil resources. Just this past week, Williams warned Canadians about a Tory majority government.
"A majority government for Stephen Harper would be one of the most negative political events in Canadian history," Williams said.
Harper said Williams did not get along with the previous Liberal government either and noted that he is running against federal parties, not Williams. Harper added that his policies will appeal to many Newfoundlanders.
During his stop in New Brunswick, Harper claimed Canada has become a more conservative country. He said many Canadians have come to accept arguments for balanced budgets and freer trade, but he said his party will govern for all Canadians.
"(We) want to pull Canadians towards conservatism, but Conservatives also have to move towards Canadians if they want to continue to govern the country," Harper said.
He also promised modest tax cuts to small-business owners amounting to $220 million worth of savings over four years.
Harper said he would index the lifetime capital-gains exemption -- and increase the amount of income eligible for the reduced small-business tax rate -- to $500,000.
With files from The Canadian Press
