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Canada is blessed in many ways but, most unusually, we are fortunate in the quality of our alternate leaders. Last month, I had the chance to see both Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff in action among their own kind. Jaded observers of Parliament see the two men cut and thrust every day, of course, in Disneyland-on-the-Rideau, but that stuff is more akin to World Wrestling mayhem on television.

At their own partisan gatherings, the real person inside is more likely to come out. Mr. Harper spoke at a Preston Manning philosophy-of-conservatism conference in Ottawa. His address was in a closed session, but I think I am free to say (because he was quoted in the open sessions the next day) that he described the essence of Conservatism as "freedom, faith and the family," a nice triple play that attracts right-wingers, the religious and many new Canadians. In a spirited talk to repeated cheers, he smote the enemy and lauded the government.

That is standard, I suppose, but he did so with depth, intelligence and wit. His partisans are genuine enthusiasts and surround him like moths to the flame. There is much energy here, and numberless clever young ministerial operatives fuelled by the public purse and a sense of righteousness. They have the government, control of the agenda, and a formidable machine.

Mr. Ignatieff's more public gathering was a fundraiser in Vancouver. The old Liberal hubris is far from dead - the local MP introducing the leader said the party will soon take its "rightful place in Canada," a description nowhere to be found in the Constitution.

Mr. Ignatieff's talk was less passionate than workmanlike. That is no criticism - "workmanlike" is exactly where he should be these days. The real Mr. Harper is thought by the public to be the Ice Man; the real Mr. Ignatieff is thought by his party (the public has no fixed views as yet) as the passionate one. Both are hiding their candles in the period before this minority government is defeated.

Meantime, Mr. Harper has his strong party and Mr. Ignatieff is building his. His standard speech is part regional, part attack on the Tories and part Liberal philosophy. The partisans love it, and the Stéphane Dion vacuum is being filled.

The "Liberal philosophy" is a strong point because there actually is one. According to Mr. Ignatieff, this is the party of compassion. Liberals like government to do things (with someone else's money, of course, though Mr. Ignatieff also came out against deficits encumbering the next generation). By contrast, he says of the Tories: "We're into a government that doesn't believe in government." The size of the current deficit would belie this a bit, but there is a point here.

At the Manning conference on conservatism, there was much discussion of philosophy but no agreement. At one point, Mr. Preston asked: "Where is the common ground?" There was no coherent response. The Libertarians, social conservatives, Red Tories, Reformers and so on all had their say. Tom Flanagan, long-time adviser to Mr. Harper, preferred to define Conservatives simply as those who want to beat the Liberals. This nicely finesses an embarrassing question, but will it fly in the long run?

For those who hate elections, they need not worry overmuch for now. The Harper government can only be defeated by the combined strength of the Liberals, the Bloc Québécois and the NDP. The latter two are likely to see their ranks decimated next time around, according to current polls. They know that, and will keep Mr. Harper in office as long as they decently can.

But, while Mr. Harper controls the parliamentary agenda, he doesn't control what Harold Macmillan replied when asked his worst fear: "Events, dear boy, events." Something will come along to precipitate the next national battle, and "events" generally favour the opposition.

When that happens, I return to the beginning: We will be blessed by a choice between two fine minds at the peak of their powers. The TV networks, no doubt, will curse us with the usual boring debates of four or five leaders. But I hope they'll spare at least an hour for a fiery one-on-one between Mr. Harper and Mr. Ignatieff.

ggibson@bc-home.com