Stephen Harper

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Stephen Harper

Harper in 2014
22nd Prime Minister of Canada
In office
February 6, 2006 – November 4, 2015
MonarchElizabeth II
Governor
General
Preceded byPaul Martin
Succeeded byJustin Trudeau
Chairman of the
International Democrat Union
Assumed office
February 21, 2018
Preceded byJohn Key
Additional offices held
Leader of the Opposition
In office
March 20, 2004 – February 5, 2006
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterPaul Martin
Preceded byGrant Hill
Succeeded byBill Graham
In office
May 21, 2002 – January 8, 2004
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime Minister
Preceded byJohn Reynolds
Succeeded byGrant Hill
Leader of the Conservative Party
In office
March 20, 2004 – October 19, 2015
PresidentDon Plett
John Walsh
DeputyPeter MacKay
Preceded byJohn Lynch-Staunton (interim)
Succeeded byRona Ambrose (interim)
Leader of the Canadian Alliance
In office
March 20, 2002 – December 7, 2003
Preceded byJohn Reynolds (interim)
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Member of Parliament
for Calgary Heritage
Calgary Southwest (2002–2015)
In office
June 28, 2002 – August 26, 2016
Preceded byPreston Manning
Succeeded byBob Benzen
Member of Parliament
for Calgary West
In office
October 25, 1993 – January 14, 1997
Preceded byJim Hawkes
Succeeded byRob Anders
Personal details
Born
Stephen Joseph Harper

(1959-04-30) April 30, 1959 (age 64)
Toronto, ON, Canada
Political partyConservative (2003–present)
Other political
affiliations
Spouse(s)
Laureen Teskey (m. 1993)
Children2
ResidenceCalgary, AB, Canada
Alma mater
ProfessionEconomist
Signature

Stephen Joseph Harper PC CC (born April 30, 1959) is a Canadian economist, entrepreneur, and retired politician. He was the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He is a member and the former leader of the Conservative Party, after being elected in 2004. He was elected in February 2006 and replaced Paul Martin as Prime Minister.

Harper was born in 1959 in Toronto, Ontario and lives in Calgary, Alberta. He is married to Laureen Teskey and has two children. He is the third Prime Minister, after Pierre Trudeau and John Turner, to send their children to Rockcliffe Park Public School, in Ottawa. Stephen Harper was Prime Minister for nine years, during which Canada hosted both the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games. Harper also hosted the G8 and G20 meetings.

Harper is a conservative and supports cutting government spending and taxes. As Prime Minister, he has cut the goods and services tax and approved a budget that would cut funding to several government programs. He has also shown support for the military and a bigger Canadian military presence in the northern part of Canada. Harper is an evangelical Christian.[1]

Even though Harper did win the seat in the riding of Calgary Heritage during the October 19, 2015 federal election,[2] the Conservative Party was defeated by the Liberal Party of Canada, which was led by Justin Trudeau and who succeeded Harper as Prime Minister.[3][4] It was thereafter announced Harper would resign as party leader and had requested an interim leader be chosen to serve until a leadership election can be held.[5]

References[change | change source]

  1. "From 'Bible Bill' to Stephen Harper, the evolution of faith-based politics". CBC News. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  2. "Conservative leader Stephen Harper wins Calgary Heritage riding". Global News. Global News. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  3. "Liberals projected to win majority". Toronto Star. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  4. "Justin Trudeau to be prime minister as Liberals surge to majority". CBC News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  5. "Stephen Harper resigns as Conservative leader". CTV News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.