Stephen Harper

Stephen Joseph Harper PC CC (born 30 April 1959) is a Canadian economist, entrepreneur, and retired politician who is the 4th and current Chairman of the International Democracy Union since 2018. Harper was previously 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.

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper PC CC AOE
Harper in 2014
4th Chairman of the International Democracy Union
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 February 2018
Deputy	Tony Clement Brian Loughnane
Preceded by	John Key
22nd Prime Minister of Canada
In office 6 February 2006 – 4 November 2015
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Michaëlle Jean David Johnston
Deputy	Vacant
Preceded by	Paul Martin
Succeeded by	Justin Trudeau
Additional offices held 37th Leader of the Opposition In office 20 March 2004 – 6 February 2006 Monarch Elizabeth II Prime Minister Paul Martin Preceded by Grant Hill Succeeded by Bill Graham In office 21 May 2002 – 8 January 2004 Monarch Elizabeth II Prime Minister Jean Chrétien Paul Martin Preceded by John Reynolds Succeeded by Grant Hill 1st Leader of the Conservative Party In office 20 March 2004 – 4 November 2015 Deputy Peter MacKay Preceded by John Lynch-Staunton (Interim) Succeeded by Rona Ambrose (Interim) 4th Leader of the Canadian Alliance In office 20 March 2002 – 7 December 2003 Preceded by John Reynolds (Interim) Succeeded by Party abolished Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage Calgary Southwest (2002–2015) In office 13 May 2002 – 26 August 2016 Preceded by Preston Manning Succeeded by Bob Benzen Member of Parliament for Calgary West In office 25 October 1993 – 14 January 1997 Preceded by Jim Hawkes Succeeded by Rob Anders
Personal details
Born	(1959-04-30) 30 April 1959 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political party	Conservative (since 2003)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (until 1981) Progressive Conservative (1981–1986) Reform (1987–2000) Alliance (2000–2003)
Spouse(s)	Laureen Teskey ​ (m. 1993)​
Children	2
Residence	Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Alma mater	University of Toronto (no degree) University of Calgary (BA, 1985; MA, 1991)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Economist, Entrepreneur
Signature
Website	stephenharper.com

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.

Even though Harper did win the seat in the riding of Calgary Heritage during the 2015 federal election, the Conservative Party was defeated by the Liberal Party of Canada, which was led by Justin Trudeau and who succeeded Harper as Prime Minister. 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.