The jump in Denison's share [price, he added, was "an appropriate reaction, because it is a takeover candidate." But Mr. Goldie said Cameco is a "big exception." "Even if they were to eliminate the federal regulations on its ownership, the government of Saskatchewan owns a 'golden share,' and we understand that the effect of that would be to block any foreign [takeover]."
There was also a little pop in the shares of both ACE Aviation Holdings, the parent of Air Canada, Canada's biggest airline, and with those of smaller competitor WestJet Airlines of Calgary.
ACE's class B share jumped as far as $9.88, up 25 cents, while WestJet climbed 17 cents to a morning high of $14.97.
Both airlines applauded Mr. Harper's pledge.
"Air Canada has long advocated increased foreign ownership limitations for Canada's airline, and welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement," spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said. "Increased foreign ownership will provide Canada's airlines with enhanced access to capital."
"We support the increase to 49 per cent," WestJet spokesman Robert Palmer said. "In general, we support opportunities that enable additional investment in Canada."
Mr. Harper is taking his cue in some of these recommendations from a June 2008 report prepared for the federal government called Compete to Win that recommended giving foreign investors more room to invest in Canada as way to stimulate economic growth. The study, which had been commissioned by the Tory government, was chaired by Lynton (Red) Wilson, a former chairman of BCE Inc.
But the Tories are steering clear of any pledges on far more controversial ideas such as allowing bank mergers or opening up Canada's telecommunication sector to more foreign investment.
The Conservative Leader said he realizes the Wilson report also called for loosening restrictions on banks and phone companies, but he said he doesn't think Canada is ready for that.
"We understand why the Wilson report recommended proceeding with liberalization in the area of banking and telecommunications. We don't believe the marketplace is ready for that ... so we are not proposing to move forward with those recommendations," he said.
Mr. Harper also defended the tone he's set as Conservative Party leader and prime minister in light of two nasty attacks by Tories this week.
A senior staffer was suspended Thursday after he wrote CTV an email disparaging the father of a slain soldier as a Liberal partisan.
And on Tuesday, Mr. Harper was forced to apologize after his campaign broadcast an Internet ad of a bird defecating on Liberal rival Stéphane Dion's shoulder.
Asked if he regrets setting a bad example over the last few years by frequently responding to criticism with attacks on the critic, Mr. Harper rejected the premise of the question. He said he said he and his ministers have behaved better than opposition parties when it comes to debate in the House of Commons.
"I think if you look at Question Period objectively, day in and day out, there is much more substance for the most part in the replies than there is in the questions," Mr. Harper said.
He excused any fierce partisanship as the exception and "the cut and thrust of debate in the House of Commons."
Mr. Harper acknowledged he might have conducted himself differently in some cases but cut short any stock-taking of his behaviour.
"Would I do some individual things differently? Yeah. Maybe, but … I don't need to become my own critic and analyst," the Conservative leader said.
"I have the entire Press Gallery to do that job and you do such a wonderful job of it I wouldn't want to steal that occupation from you."
- With files from Gloria Galloway
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