Stephen Harper to move back to Calgary following election defeat

Outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper, his wife, Laureen, and daughter, Rachel, will be moving back to Calgary, CBC News has learned.

Harper's son, Ben, will stay in Ontario while attending Queen's University in Kingston.

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Movers were seencarrying items from 24 Sussex, the official residence of Canada's prime minister, into a truck in Ottawa on Tuesday. One of the movers was carryinga guitarfromHarper's prized collection.

Harper's Conservatives were demoted to Opposition ranks following a Liberal majority win in last Monday's general election.

Harper, whowas elected in the Alberta riding of Calgary Heritage, resigned as Conservative Party leader but willstay on as an MP.

He willcommute to Ottawa from Calgary, a source told CBC News on condition of anonymity.

Harper spent much of the past week calling many members of his caucus, a second source said.

Conservatives will gather in Ottawa next week, a day after prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau appoints a new cabinet.

It is unclear at this point whether Harperwill attend his party'scaucus meeting.

He is expected to keep a low profile.

Four Conservatives Candice Bergen, Rob Nicholson, Erin O'TooleandDiane Finley are running forinterim leadership of the party.

While Harper has not spoken publicly since he gave his concession speech in Calgary last Monday, he attendeda public ceremony alongsideprime minister-designate JustinTrudeauinOttawa last week.

The two menput their political differencesaside to commemorate the lives of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, the two Canadian soldiers who were killed in separate attacks on Parliament Hill and inSaint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.,last October.

Harper stood side-by-side with Trudeauas the twolaid a wreath atthe National War Memorial.

He was also seen briefly leaving his office at the Langevin Block in Ottawa following a meeting with Trudeau, which theLiberal Party described as "positive"and "very generous."

Competing petitionsto renamethe Calgary International Airport after Harper sparked a heated exchange on Tuesday between thousands of Canadians who added their names to either side of the hypothetical debate.

This election marked a shift for Harper, who had in the past kept his children out of the public spotlight.

Unlike during past election campaigns, Ben and Rachel were seen frontandcentre at some of the Conservative leader's announcements and fundraising events.

Some party supporters attended campaign events just toget a peek atthe young Harpers.