Canadian PM urges British Columbians to vote for his Party

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper urged people of British Columbia on Wednesday to vote for his Conservative Party in next year's election, saying his government has achieved a lot in the past few years.

During a brief stop in Langley, British Columbia, on his annual tour to the North, Harper told about 200 people in a small gathering by local residents that under his leadership, the economy is going up, the unemployment rate and crime rate are going down.

In the campaign-style speech to supporters in a farmhouse in Langley, which is about 60 kilometers north of Vancouver, the prime minister also criticized the opposition parties for vague promises in their campaign.

He also said the murder of American journalist James Foley by Islamic State militants in Iraq was part of a "disgusting" terror campaign being carried out across the entire region.

"And frankly, this terrorist caliphate in our judgment represents an increasing long-term threat to the security of our own country. It is that serious," Harper said "We have been in ongoing contact with our principal allies, and we will be announcing some additional steps to take with them in the days ahead."

Islamic State militants beheaded Foley and posted a grisly video online entitled "Message to America."

This is Harper's ninth visit to the North and during his week-long trip he will visit all three territories to meet with the party faithful and to announce money for research into northern agriculture and telecommunications.