When it comes to national pride, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society doesn’t do it quietly. It brought in a string quartet to play Canada’s royal and national anthems before presenting former prime minister Stephen Harper with its highest honour of a gold medal on Monday afternoon.

Much of the crowd sang along to O Canada. Standing silent would have felt out of place.

For the next half hour, Harper and former prime minister Jean Chrétien — one-time political rivals-turned-friends — sat side by side on stage in the Alex Trebek Theatre, answering questions posed by Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) CEO John Geiger on Canadian unity, Arctic sovereignty, the work of nation-building, among other topics.

Front-row attendees included Harper’s wife, Laureen, sporting a sleek, long bob with bangs, and Lois Mitchell, RCGS board of governors president and former lieutenant governor of Alberta. She presented Harper with the medal.

Harper, who led the country from 2006 to 2015, is in town to take part in a series of events commemorating the 20th anniversary of his election as prime minister.

Lois Mitchell, president of the board of governors for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and former prime minister Stephen Harper, who was awarded the organization’s highest honour — its gold medal — at a ceremony held at RCGS headquarters on Sussex Drive on Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

During his time in office, Harper emphasized the importance of Arctic sovereignty to Canada, foreshadowing recent geopolitical developments in that region. His government oversaw the creation of Canada’s first urban national park in the Rouge Valley, protected Sable Island as a national park reserve, expanded Nahanni National Park and created Nááts’ihch’oh National Park in the Northwest Territories, according to the RCGS.

Harper famously coined the phrase “use it or lose it” when it came to protecting the North.

Geopolitical circumstances led him to believe there were “quite serious” threats to Canada’s North. These concerns, he said yesterday, have been borne out. “I didn’t anticipate them being our southern neighbour,” he said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s talks of a larger American military presence in the Arctic, beginning with Greenland. “It turned out to be more timely than I thought.”

Harper spoke about the rise of nationalism and the need for more Canadians to embrace it. “There’s no reason this country shouldn’t be as nationalistic as anyone else. We have a lot to be proud of. It’s a tremendous country,” said Harper, who believes there’s been a tendency in Canada over the past decade to focus heavily on past mistakes, even while progress was being made to correct them.

Harper, quoting Chrétien, called Canada “the best country in the world”.

“Let’s be proud. ‘Proud’ doesn’t just have to be not liking Donald Trump. We should be proud of who we are as a people,” said Harper, who described one of “the best moments” of 2025 as Canada’s hockey win over the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-offs.

From left, former prime ministers Jean Chrétien, left, and Stephen Harper on stage with Royal Canadian Geographical Society CEO John Geiger in the Alex Trebek Theatre at RCGS headquarters on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 Photo by Caroline Phillips

Harper also spoke of the potential for “enormous opportunities” for Canada. “There’s a lot we can do that we haven’t done to make ourselves more competitive, more wealthy, more connected to the world, and this is an opportunity for us to take advantage of these circumstances. So, let’s do some nation-building.”

Chrétien didn’t hold back in his forecast: “It’s probably the beginning of the end of the American empire, and it has to come; all of the empires change. So now, you know, it’s accelerating.”

He was optimistic about Canada’s future. “We are in a very good position,” said Chrétien, who spoke of our country’s strengths, including its highly educated population and reputation for tolerance.

“At this moment, our friend from the south has created a mood that a Canadian has never been so proud to be Canadian,” said Chrétien, who is a former recipient of the RCGS gold medal.

The former leaders spoke about how, throughout history, Canadians from different backgrounds have united to defend and build the country. Harper’s fourth great-grandfather arrived in 1774, and was part of militia efforts in New Brunswick during both the American Revolution and War of 1812.

“The American Revolution and War of 1812 are better examples of Canadian unity than the Plains of Abraham,” quipped Harper, taking a dig at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent panned speech at the historic battlefield in Quebec City.

Chrétien responded with a joke that he wasn’t at that 1759 battle to wake French commander Louis-Joseph de Montcalm in the middle of the night, referring to the British forces’ stealthy advance.

From left, former prime ministers Jean Chrétien, left, and Stephen Harper appeared very relaxed together on stage during a discussion hosted by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society at its Ottawa headquarters on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Harper said the next generation must learn to navigate modern modes of communication, such as social media, while applying the mature lessons of political leadership. Whether in government or opposition, he suggested careful consideration of policy and messaging: “It’s not just, ‘Is it popular today?’ but ‘How is this going to look in a month, a year or five years?’ … You have to think long-term, and you have to pick your battles.

“On big issues, like Canadian sovereignty, we need to work together,” he added.

Afterward, guests were invited to a reception on the main floor, overlooking the Ottawa River, and were asked to consider making a donation to the True North Strong Fund in support of the work the RCGS has been doing for almost a century to support Canadian identity and sovereignty.

From left, former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper on stage with Royal Canadian Geographical Society CEO John Geiger in the Alex Trebek Theatre at RCGS headquarters on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 Photo by Caroline Phillips

Laureen Harper, wife of former prime minister Stephen Harper, was seen socializing during the reception portion of an event hosted by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) board governor and Ottawa-based international wildlife photographer Michelle Valberg, advancement committee volunteer Deborah Lehmann (The Ottawa Cancer Foundation), RCGS board president Lois Mitchell and Rosemary Thompson, vice president, external, for the RCGS, at a reception held at RCGS headquarters following the presentation of the society’s gold medal to former prime minister Stephen Harper. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Laureen Harper, StrategyCorp Ottawa principal Lisa Samson and her husband, journalist Paul Wells, of subscription-based paulwells.substack.com, at a reception held at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters following its presentation to Stephen Harper of its gold medal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Liberal Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester MP Mona Fortier and former prime minister Stephen Harper in conversation at a reception held at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters following its presentation to Harper of its gold medal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Kevin Chan, senior  director of global policy and campaign strategies at Meta; Ray Novak, who was formerly chief of staff to Stephen Harper when he was in office; and Rachel Curran, head of public policy in Canada for Meta, at a reception held at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters following its presentation to Harper of its gold medal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper enjoyed each other’s company on stage with Royal Canadian Geographical Society CEO John Geiger in the Alex Trebek Theatre at RCGS headquarters on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, former prime minister Stephen Harper in conversation with Spanish Ambassador Alfredo Martinez Serrano at a reception held at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters following its presentation to Harper of its gold medal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Rosemary Thompson welcomed guests to an event the Royal Canadian Geographical Society hosted on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 surrounding its awarding of its gold medal to former prime minister Stephen Harper.

From left, Lisa Samson from StrategyCorp Ottawa; Wayne Wouters, former Clerk of the Privy Council; Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe; and former Conservative cabinet minister Tony Clement at a reception held at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters following its presentation to Harper of its gold medal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Bruce Hartley, former executive assistant to Jean Chrétien, Royal Canadian Geographical Society CEO John Geiger and executive vice president John Hovland at a reception held at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters featuring a talk with Chrétien and Stephen Harper. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Liberal Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester MP Mona Fortier, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, alongside John Manley, former Liberal cabinet minister, deputy prime minister and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, and his wife, Judith Manley, at a reception held at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters honouring Stephen Harper with its gold medal. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, former deputy minister Christine Hogan, Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet Isabelle Mondou, and Meredith Lilly, professor and Simon Reisman Chair in International Economic Policy at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Royal Canadian Geographical Society governors Antoine Normandin, director of transportation planning with the National Capital Commission, and Akash Maharaj, director of policy for Nature Canada, alongside Maria Rosa Pañeda Usunáriz and her husband, Spanish Ambassador Alfredo Martinez Serrano. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A view of the Ottawa River at sunset during a reception hosted by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society at its scenic headquarters on Sussex Drive. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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