Yes. However, Mr Harper is dealing with a rather different cultural situation up here. The population here has different expectations from mainstream America, and only about 1/3 of the Canadian electorate traditionally supports what might be termed the "conservative" agenda. Canadian prime ministers must bear that in mind, lest they lose a vote of confidence in Parliament and be forced to call an election. That can happen at any time...not just at a set interval of every 4 years.

If the USA had such a system in place, Mr Bush would probably have been voted out some time ago.