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"This does remind us why Canadian armed forces personnel have been deployed to Afghanistan, to deny al-Qaida and organizations like it the use of Afghanistan where the 9/11 attack was conceived and planned." he said. "We will continue to stand firm with our allies against the threat of global terrorism. "
The U.S. government announced Sunday its special forces had killed the terrorist mastermind at a compound in Pakistan, ending a decade-long search.
Canada entered Afghanistan in 2002 as part of the operation to find bin Laden, suppress terrorism and take out the Taliban threat to stable government.
The Conservatives and Liberals have both pledged to continue our military's post-combat training role in Afghanistan, while NDP Leader Jack Layton has promised a government led by him would bring the troops home.
The question about whether Harper's words were meant for political gain, at a time when most would expect him to be a statesman, is up for debate.
Norman Ruff, a political scientist at the University of Victoria, told Yahoo! Canada News Harper's statement was "legitimately within his general role as prime minister."
"If (Bin Laden's death) has any impact whatsoever it would be in Quebec where the anti-war sentiment seems to run strongest," said Ruff.
"Mega impacts certainly in the USA, but only a ripple here."
Dennis Pilon, a political scientist also at the University of Victoria, told Yahoo! News that even if this event was politicized by Harper, it won't necessarily result in more votes.
"I don't know how the bin Laden issue will play - it mostly plays to the Conservative base, which is already convinced that Harper is the choice," said Pilon
"Academic work suggests that foreign policy questions do not have that much influence on Canadian elections."
The other leaders also released statements about bin Laden's death.
The Globe and Mail quoted Layton calling it a "turning point in the war on terrorism."
"Tonight, as we recall the horrific events of September 11, we re-commit ourselves to promote Canada's role in the international community as a leading contributor to the world's peace, security, and prosperity," Layton said in a statement.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff concurred with the other leaders but warned that Canadians need to remain "vigilant."
Comments online generally agreed the death of bin Laden will have little effect on the outcome of the election.
"Considering bin Laden came along under the previous Liberal watches, his death shouldn't affect any vote today either pro or con, all Harper did was continue our NATO commitment and begin the timetable for bringing our people home," wrote Bob D.
"No - Harper was very careful in his speech not to appear to be making an election speech. It was a factual announcement from the leader of the country. He did stress that the role of government was to safeguard the well-being of its citizens - but that hardly counts as electioneering." added Old Lady.
It's likely even a prime minister looking for a majority can't count on the death of terrorist to bump up numbers, especially when that person is the No. 1 most wanted south of the border.
U.S. President Barack Obama on the other hand may have just got himself reelected.
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