Reality check: How did the crackdown on taxpayer-funded partisan ad campaigns go, Mr. Harper?

Would the Stephen Harper of a decade ago recognize himself? The same man who promised responsible government and attacked government waste would have a hard time looking in the mirror without crying.
Today, the Conservatives laid the groundwork for the largest pre-election advertising blitz since the Liberals were in power.
What did Stephen Harper have to say about Liberal spending sprees on advertising?

”Of course, Mr. Speaker, this advertising, this information just happens to be the same as the government's own election platform… the same priorities the Prime Minister mentioned in his speech on Friday. Will the Prime Minister explain this curious coincidence?"
–Hansard, April 19, 2004

Harper must get a little misty-eyed when remembering the days when he could still be considered a ‘small-c’ conservative.