[JURIST] In the final run-up to next Monday's Canadian federal election that is expected to bring his Conservative Party [party website] to power after 13 years in the political wilderness, leader Stephen Harper [CBC profile] has backpedaled after suggesting that a Conservative government could not have a "true majority" [CP report] because the Canadian courts would still be staffed by judges appointed by the long-governing Liberal Party [party website]. Opponents immediately accused Harper of "showing contempt" for the judiciary [Liberal press release], forcing him to acknowledge Wednesday that "some [judges] are, some [judges] aren't" activists handing down decisions based on their own personal agendas. The Globe and Mail has local coverage.