Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper
Harper in 2010
Stephen Harper
Born	Stephen Joseph Harper 30 4, 1959
Birthplace	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Occupation	Politician, author, consultant
Known for	22nd Prime Minister of Canada; co-founder and first leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Education	University of Calgary (BA, MA)
Awards	President's Medal (Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations), World Statesman Award

Stephen Joseph Harper (born April 30, 1959) is a Canadian politician and economist who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He remains the only prime minister to have led the modern Conservative Party of Canada, a party he co-founded in 2003 through the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Over a political career spanning more than two decades, Harper reshaped the Canadian right, guiding it from a period of fracture and regional protest into a unified national party capable of winning successive federal elections. His tenure as prime minister was defined by fiscal conservatism—including reductions to the goods and services tax and the elimination of the federal budget deficit—as well as an assertive foreign policy that included military operations in Libya, against ISIL, and in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea. After his defeat in the 2015 federal election, Harper largely withdrew from public life, though he remained active in international conservative politics as chairman of the International Democracy Union beginning in 2018. In February 2026, twenty years after his first election victory, Harper returned to the public spotlight for the unveiling of his official portrait in the Parliamentary Gallery, where he urged Canada's political parties to come together and "preserve Canada" amid growing continental pressures.

Early Life

Stephen Joseph Harper was born on April 30, 1959, in Toronto, Ontario. He grew up in the Toronto suburb of Leaside in an upper-middle-class family. His father, Joseph Harris Harper, was an accountant at Imperial Oil. Harper attended Richview Collegiate Institute in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, where he was a strong student.

As a young man, Harper moved to Alberta, a relocation that would profoundly shape his political outlook. He found in western Canada a political culture markedly different from that of central Canada—one characterised by a deep scepticism of federal government intervention and an emphasis on resource development and individual enterprise. This western perspective would later become central to his political identity and to the movements he helped build.

Harper's early political engagement was notable for its ideological evolution. Although he had briefly been a member of the Liberal Party of Canada in his youth, his exposure to western Canadian political culture and his academic study of economics drew him firmly to the right of the political spectrum. He became involved in the nascent western protest movement that would eventually coalesce into the Reform Party of Canada, founded by Preston Manning in 1987. Harper was present at the Reform Party's founding convention in Winnipeg and served as one of its early policy architects.

In 2001, Harper co-authored an open letter known as the "Alberta Agenda" or "Firewall Letter," addressed to Ralph Klein, the Premier of Alberta, urging the province to take steps to assert greater autonomy within Confederation. The letter called for Alberta to establish its own pension plan, collect its own revenue, and take other measures to limit the influence of the federal government in provincial affairs. This document, though controversial, reflected Harper's long-standing views on western alienation and decentralised federalism.

Education

Harper studied economics at the University of Calgary in Alberta, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 and a Master of Arts degree in 1991. His graduate work focused on economic policy, and the analytical framework he developed during his academic career informed his later approach to governance, particularly his emphasis on tax reduction, fiscal discipline, and trade liberalisation. The University of Calgary's economics department at the time was known for its market-oriented orientation, and Harper's academic training there reinforced his commitment to free-market principles.

Prior to completing his master's degree, Harper had already begun his political career, working as a legislative assistant and policy advisor. His academic background in economics distinguished him from many of his contemporaries in Canadian politics and became a defining feature of his public persona.

Career

Reform Party and Early Parliamentary Career

Harper was a founding member of the Reform Party of Canada, the western-based populist and fiscal conservative party established by Preston Manning in 1987. He served as the Reform Party's chief policy officer and helped shape the party's platform, which emphasised deficit reduction, democratic reform, and opposition to official bilingualism and multiculturalism policies.

In the 1993 Canadian federal election, Harper was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Calgary West. The 1993 election was a watershed moment in Canadian politics: the governing Progressive Conservatives were reduced from a majority government to just two seats, while the Reform Party and the Bloc Québécois emerged as major forces. Harper served as a Reform Party MP during a period of significant realignment on the Canadian right.

Harper chose not to seek re-election in the 1997 Canadian federal election. He left Parliament and became president of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC), a Canadian conservative advocacy and lobbying organisation. During his time at the NCC, Harper continued to advocate for fiscal conservatism, lower taxes, and democratic reform, while maintaining his profile as a prominent voice on the Canadian right.

Leadership of the Canadian Alliance

In 2002, Harper returned to active party politics by entering the leadership race for the Canadian Alliance, the successor party to Reform. He defeated the incumbent leader, Stockwell Day, and became leader of the Canadian Alliance, thereby also becoming Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. Harper won a by-election to return to Parliament and immediately began working to consolidate the fractured Canadian right.

The Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada had spent years competing against each other, a division that had allowed the Liberal Party of Canada to dominate federal politics through the 1990s and early 2000s. Harper recognised that reuniting the right was essential to defeating the Liberals.

Founding the Conservative Party of Canada

In 2003, Harper and Progressive Conservative leader Peter MacKay negotiated the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party to form the Conservative Party of Canada. The merger was ratified by the memberships of both parties, and Harper was elected as the new party's first leader in March 2004. This was arguably Harper's most consequential political achievement prior to becoming prime minister, as it ended more than a decade of division on the Canadian right and created a party capable of competing nationally against the Liberals.

2004 Federal Election

Harper led the Conservatives into the 2004 Canadian federal election, facing the Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin. Despite strong early polling numbers, the Conservative campaign faltered in its final weeks, and the Liberals won a minority government. Harper remained as leader of the Opposition and continued to build the party's national infrastructure and policy platform.

Prime Minister of Canada (2006–2015)

First Minority Government (2006–2008)

In November 2005, the Martin government was defeated in a vote of no confidence, triggering the 2006 Canadian federal election. Harper led a disciplined campaign focused on government accountability, tax reduction, and crime. The Conservatives won 124 seats, enough to form a minority government, and Harper was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada on February 6, 2006.

Harper's first term was marked by several significant legislative accomplishments. He introduced and passed the Federal Accountability Act, which tightened rules on political donations, lobbying, and government transparency. He reduced the goods and services tax (GST) from 7% to 6%, with a further reduction to 5% following the 2008 election. He also guided the passage of the Québécois nation motion, a parliamentary resolution recognising that the Québécois formed "a nation within a united Canada." His government also enacted the Veterans' Bill of Rights.

During this period, Harper's government faced the In and Out scandal, a controversy over alleged violations of election spending limits during the 2006 campaign.

Second Minority Government (2008–2011)

Harper led the Conservatives to a larger minority government in the 2008 Canadian federal election, increasing the party's seat count. Shortly after the election, however, the opposition Liberal, NDP, and Bloc Québécois parties announced a plan to form a coalition government to replace Harper's Conservatives. In response, Harper advised Governor General Michaëlle Jean to prorogue Parliament, which she granted, thereby preventing the opposition coalition from defeating the government in a confidence vote. The prorogation was highly controversial and prompted a national debate about the proper exercise of executive power in the Westminster system.

In response to the Great Recession, Harper's government introduced the Economic Action Plan, a stimulus package consisting of personal income tax cuts and infrastructure investments. The plan was credited by supporters with helping Canada weather the global financial crisis more effectively than many other advanced economies, though critics argued the government's initial response had been too slow. Harper also introduced the tax-free savings account (TFSA), a new savings vehicle that became one of the most widely used financial instruments among Canadian households.

During this period, Harper authorised Canadian military participation in the international intervention during the First Libyan Civil War in 2011.

The government also faced the Robocall scandal, in which automated phone calls were used to misdirect voters in the 2011 election, leading to investigations by Elections Canada.

Majority Government (2011–2015)

In March 2011, Harper's government became the first in Canadian history to be found in contempt of Parliament, after the opposition parties voted that the government had failed to provide Parliament with sufficient financial information. The resulting 2011 Canadian federal election produced a decisive result: the Conservatives won 166 seats, giving Harper his first majority government.

With a majority in the House of Commons, Harper pursued a more ambitious legislative agenda. He repealed the Canadian long-gun registry, fulfilling a long-standing promise to rural and western Canadian voters. He privatised the Canadian Wheat Board, ending its monopoly on western Canadian wheat and barley marketing. He enacted the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, which expanded the powers of Canadian security agencies. His government also reduced the federal budget deficit from $55.6 billion in 2009—incurred during the recession stimulus—to $2.9 billion by 2015.

In foreign policy, Harper withdrew Canada from the Kyoto Protocol, arguing that the agreement was ineffective and economically harmful. He introduced Canada's Global Markets Action Plan to expand trade relations and negotiated several free trade agreements, most notably the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union. He launched Operation Impact against ISIL and Operation UNIFIER in support of Ukraine following the Russian annexation of Crimea.

Harper's final term was also overshadowed by the Canadian Senate expenses scandal, in which several senators appointed by Harper were found to have improperly claimed living expenses. The scandal dominated Canadian political coverage for much of 2013 and 2014 and contributed to public dissatisfaction with the government.

Harper and his government also confronted the Idle No More movement, a grassroots Indigenous protest movement that criticised the government's approach to Indigenous rights and environmental protection.

2015 Federal Election and Departure

In the 2015 Canadian federal election, Harper's Conservatives were defeated by the Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau. The Liberals won a majority government with 184 seats, while the Conservatives were reduced to 99. Harper resigned as leader of the Conservative Party on election night, though he remained the MP for Calgary Heritage until he formally resigned his seat in 2016.

Post-Political Career

After leaving office, Harper largely withdrew from the Canadian public stage. He established Harper & Associates Consulting, a global consultancy firm, and published a book on international affairs and trade policy. In 2018, he was elected chairman of the International Democracy Union (IDU), an international organisation of centre-right and conservative political parties.

In February 2026, Harper returned to the public eye for the unveiling of his official portrait in the Parliamentary Gallery in Ottawa. At the ceremony, he delivered remarks urging Canadian political parties to come together and "preserve Canada's independence" in the face of growing pressures from the United States, a statement that attracted significant media coverage given the context of escalating trade tensions between the two countries. The event was widely covered as a significant moment in Harper's post-political legacy, with commentators noting the contrast between his earlier reputation for partisanship and his more conciliatory tone at the ceremony.

Personal Life

Harper married Laureen Teskey in 1993. The couple have two children. Harper is known to be a devoted fan of ice hockey and has a well-documented interest in the history of the sport; he authored a book on the subject, A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and the Rise of Professional Hockey, published in 2013. He is also a recreational pianist and has performed publicly on several occasions, including a notable performance at a National Arts Centre gala in 2009 where he sang and played The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends."

Harper is a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, an evangelical Protestant denomination. He has cited his faith as an important part of his personal life, though he was generally reticent about discussing religion in the political arena.

Recognition

Harper received several notable honours during and after his time in office. In December 2008, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations awarded Harper its International Leadership Award in recognition of his support for Israel and his outspoken opposition to antisemitism. In a 2009 speech, Harper described antisemitism as "the oldest, most pernicious form of hatred" and pledged that his government would confront it wherever it appeared. His relationship with the Israeli government and the Canadian Jewish community was a defining feature of his foreign policy, as noted by commentators at the time of his portrait unveiling in 2026.

The unveiling of Harper's official portrait in the Parliamentary Gallery in February 2026 was itself a significant ceremonial event, attended by parliamentarians from multiple parties. In his remarks, Harper reflected on the importance of Canadian sovereignty and independence, themes that resonated broadly at a time of heightened concern about Canada's relationship with the United States.

Legacy

Harper's legacy in Canadian politics is multifaceted and continues to be debated. His most enduring structural achievement is the creation of the Conservative Party of Canada itself. By merging the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party in 2003, Harper ended more than a decade of vote-splitting on the Canadian right that had allowed the Liberal Party to govern largely without effective opposition. The unified Conservative Party has remained the principal alternative to the Liberals in every subsequent federal election.

As prime minister, Harper's fiscal record—particularly the reduction of the GST and the elimination of the deficit following the Great Recession—remains a point of pride for his supporters. His introduction of the tax-free savings account became one of the most widely adopted personal finance tools in Canada. His trade agenda, including the negotiation of CETA, expanded Canadian economic ties with Europe and other markets.

Critics point to Harper's prorogation of Parliament in 2008 as a troubling precedent for executive power, and his government's finding of contempt of Parliament in 2011 remains unique in Canadian history. The Senate expenses scandal and the Robocall scandal eroded public trust during his final years in office. His withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol and his government's approach to environmental regulation drew sustained criticism from environmental groups and opposition parties.

In the broader context of Canadian conservatism, Harper shifted the movement's centre of gravity westward and established economic management and trade liberalisation as its defining themes. His international role as chairman of the International Democracy Union has kept him connected to global conservative movements.

Twenty years after his first election victory, Harper's February 2026 portrait unveiling and his call to "preserve Canada's independence" suggested a figure increasingly viewed through the lens of history rather than partisan politics. As CBC reported, Harper had "largely retreated from public life" after his 2015 defeat, making his return to the spotlight a notable moment in Canadian political culture. Paul Wells, a prominent Canadian political journalist who covered Harper's entire career, reflected that the passage of time had altered public perceptions of Harper's premiership in complex ways.