born april canadian politician member parliament served 22nd prime minister canada february november prime minister come modern formed merger harper member parliament riding alberta previously known earlier calgary west representing founding members seek election federal election harper instead joined later led conservative group succeeded leader successor returned parliament reached agreement leader merger parties form elected party leader march federal election resulted minority government led harper 22nd prime minister canada proportion seats canada smallest minority government confederation despite longest serving minority government overall federal election won stronger minority showing small increase percentage popular vote increased representation seats dissolved march confidence vote deemed cabinet contempt parliament federal election followed conservatives won majority government federal election party won seats increase seats october election harper won seat october federal election defeated led sworn harper successor november harper resigned party leader october caucus chose interim leader november serve leadership election harper moved calgary alberta ottawa opposition member parliament early life education harper born raised toronto sons margaret née harper family traces ancestry yorkshire nova scotia later served justice peace area new_brunswick harper attended later central graduated member collegiate team reach television canadian high school students harper enrolled dropped months moved alberta found work mail room later advanced work company computer systems took post secondary studies completed bachelor degree economics later returned earn master degree economics completed harper kept strong links harper prime minister law degree political beginnings harper involved politics member high school later changed political allegiance disagreed liberal government chief aide later disillusioned party government especially administration fiscal policy inability fully left year recommended economist founder leader time harper didn politician told adding politics love manning invited participate party harper gave speech reform founding convention chief policy officer played major role drafting election platform credited creating reform campaign slogan west wants harper ran federal election appearing ballot losing wide margin employer reform candidate elected party election harper grey executive assistant chief adviser remained prominent national organization role policy chief encouraging party expand western base arguing strictly regional parties risk taken radical elements delivered speech national convention condemned views harper relationship manning strained conflicting strategies harper opposed accord principle ideological reasons manning initially open compromise harper criticized manning decision hire adviser believing anderson sufficiently committed principles resigned policy chief october harper stood office federal election defeated amid significant reform breakthrough campaign likely benefited print television campaign organized endorse harper directly reform harper emerged prominent member caucus active constitutional issues parliament played prominent role drafting strategy quebec referendum long standing opponent centralized stood montreal introduce point plan canada event victory harper later argued narrow worst case scenario won mandate change harper expressed socially conservative views issues opposed plans federal justice minister introduce benefits sex couples citing recent failure similar initiative ontario quoted saying hope learn important social economic issues mention unity question harper spoke possibility supreme_court changing federal policy matters policy convention harper small minority delegates voted restricting definition marriage union man woman actually opposed sex marriage mandated benefits sex couples argued political parties refrain taking official positions issues conscience harper reform support creation second reading later voted reading stage said time initially voted registry poll showing constituents supported added changed vote second poll showed opposite result reported april progressive conservatives opposed leadership wanted remove manning unite reform parties harper leadership despite prominent position party harper relationship leadership frequently strained early criticized party decision establish personal expense account manning time reform mps asked parliamentary formally reform executive council despite winning support mps relationship manning grew increasingly mid-1990s declined express opinion manning leadership interview friction indicative fundamental divide men harper strongly committed conservative principles opposed manning harper saw leading compromise core ideological matters tensions culminated late harper announced candidate federal election resigned parliamentary seat january day appointed vice president conservative think tank advocacy group promoted president later year april harper suggested drifting social ignoring principles economic lost seats managed retain narrow majority government federal election reform modest gains parliament soon leaving parliament harper authored opinion piece entitled dictatorship argued retained power dysfunctional political system divided opposition harper argued national conservative governments founded temporary alliances western quebec nationalists unable govern fundamental contradictions authors called alliance canada conservative parties suggested meaningful political change require electoral reforms proportional representation dictatorship commended purchase newspaper chain arguing provide editorial view counter liberal feminist approach previous management harper remained active constitutional issues prominent opponent calgary declaration national unity late describing strategy quebec nationalism called politicians reject strategy approach future constitutional talks position quebec problem need fixed late harper called federal government establish clear rules future quebec referendum sovereignty identified harper views influence government clarity act president harper launched ultimately unsuccessful legal battle federal election laws restricting party advertising led campaigns supported finance minister tax cuts positive step tax reform harper delivered controversial speech canadian identity conservative american think tank comments canada northern european welfare state worst sense term proud like americans know country makes probably country canadians kind proof devil lives affairs men statements public criticized election harper argued speech intended humour analysis harper considered campaigning leadership left federal politics encouraging candidacy senior aides ontario premier including eventually decided running arguing burn bridges worked years prevent alliance right wing parties taking shape harper initiative arguing serve consolidate manning hold party leadership expressed concern reform ideological focus created successor party reform harper predicted day defeat preston manning new party leadership expressed reservations day abilities accused day making adherence social views test determine party harper endorsed leadership arguing long best suited support day placed ballot harper said shifting party religious right death harper wrote editorial criticizing policies affected wrote embraced fashionable causes time variable enthusiasm differing results took pass issues truly defined century harper subsequently accused promoting socialism argued canadian governments restricted economic growth state poor showing election harper joined western conservatives document called alberta agenda letter called alberta reform publicly funded health care replace canada pension plan provincial plan replace provincial police force known letter called provincial government build alberta stop federal government wealth affluent regions alberta premier agreed letter recommendations distanced comments harper wrote editorial late arguing alberta rest canada embark ing potentially hostile paths defining country said alberta chosen best canada heritage combination american enterprise british traditions order operation canada appears content second tier country led second world appropriately suited task called stronger autonomous alberta rejecting calls alberta provincial election harper led vote liberal campaign articles period described possible successor harper endorsed private school tax credit proposed ontario government arguing save student attend union run public school education minister criticized saying government intent save money expense public education day leadership increasingly troubled summer party mps called resignation june newspaper reported reform organizing possible leadership challenge harper behalf harper announced resignation presidency august prepare campaign leadership day called new leadership race soon declared candidate harper emerged day main rival declared candidacy december eventually won support alliance mps including campaign harper reprised earlier warnings alliance quebec nationalists called party option quebec argued french language quebec opposed special status province canadian constitution accordingly endorsed greater provincial autonomy said operate progressive conservatives long led social issues harper argued parental rights use corporal punishment children supported raising age sexual consent described potential support base similar tapped tone leadership contest turned hostile february harper described day governance party campaign team argued day attempting win election building narrow support base different groups religious right day campaign accused harper attacking ethnic religious minorities early march candidates especially debate leadership vote held march harper elected ballot support day candidates split remainder winning party leadership harper announced intention run parliament election recently vacated chosen riding alliance candidate declared stand aside harper later liberals field candidate following parliamentary tradition allowing opposition leaders enter house_of_commons unopposed candidate chose withdraw harper elected difficulty new democrat harper told reporter campaign declined debate harper officially later month said atlantic provinces trapped culture defeat overcome result policies designed governments atlantic politicians condemned remark unanimously approved motion condemning harper comments criticized premier federal leader harper refused apologize said canada trapped attitude march speeches favour gaining traction parliament wrote letter wall_street_journal condemned canadian government participate invasion iraq leadership january harper announced resignation run leadership harper elected leader ballot majority march harper victory included strong ontario quebec atlantic_canada federal election harper led conservatives federal election initially new prime minister held large lead polls eroded scandal came result sponsorship program province quebec involving scandals surrounding government liberals attempted counter early election conservatives time consolidate merger martin weak performance leader debate unpopular provincial budget liberal premier ontario moved conservatives lead time comments conservative mps leaked press releases prime minister controversial attack ads suggesting conservatives canada like united_states caused harper party lose momentum harper effort appeal voters quebec province merged party featured french language campaign ads liberals elected power minority government conservatives coming second place conservatives managed liberals ontario stronghold primarily province socially conservative central region shut quebec marking time centre right party win seats province harper personal decided stay party leader credited bringing short time fight close election agreement months federal election privately met leader leader montreal hotel september signed letter addressed governor general stating point opposition parties constitute majority house close consultation believe request dissolution arise cause constitutional practice determined consult opposition leaders consider options exercising constitutional authority day letter written party leaders held joint press conference expressed intent operate changing parliamentary rules request governor general consult deciding election news conference harper said parliament supposed run country largest party single leader party criticism canadians long long time opportunity start change time harper opposition leaders denied trying form coalition government harper said coalition operative effort month later october later appointed conservative senator harper said possible change prime minister having election conservatives wanted harper temporarily prime minister holding election day walked talks accusing trying replace harper prime minister conservative officials denied accusations march stated harper tried form coalition government response harper allegations liberals form coalition leader opposition policy convention held march montreal harper rumoured shifting ideology closer blue thought wanted party policies closer centre opposition abortion dropped conservative platform harper received endorsement delegates leadership review despite party centre party began drive sex marriage harper criticized group law professors arguing government provincial court sex marriage notwithstanding clause provision canada argued general lower taxes elected senate tougher stance crime closer relations united_states following april release damaging testimony liberals scandal opinion polls placed conservatives ahead liberals conservatives earlier vote budget avoid forcing election collapse liberal support controversial amendment budget party exerted significant pressure harper bring government harper announced government lost moral authority govern shortly conservatives united defeat government vote considered confidence motion motion requiring immediate test confidence house martin government accept interpretation argued vote procedural motion indicated bring forward revised budget confidence vote following week ultimately effort bring government failed following decision conservative cross floor vote amendment budget tied speaker house voting continue debate liberals stayed power time considered matter constitutional crisis harper criticized supporting caucus colleague produced tapes conversations chief staff claimed offered cabinet position exchange liberals support dropped report issued november harper introduced motion non confidence telling house_of_commons government lost confidence house_of_commons needs removed liberals lost support house refusing accept plan prevent health care confidence motion passed vote time canadian government toppled straight motion non confidence proposed opposition result parliament dissolved general election scheduled january february allegations surfaced officials offered ill independent million dollar life insurance policy exchange vote bring liberal government budget vote story proved true actions grounds charges criminal offence criminal code canada illegal bribe asked vancouver journalist alleged life insurance offer opposition leader states audio tape don know details know discussions goes offer replace financial considerations lose election harper stated told conservative party representatives unlikely succeed told time said mind february investigated allegations section provisions corruption criminal code violated concluded investigation stating evidence pressing charges harper denied wrongdoing subsequently filed civil libel suit libel laws apply statements house_of_commons basis lawsuit statements members outside house articles appeared web site accusations harper committed criminal act audio expert hired harper prove tape containing evidence reported tape recorded tape harper voice said don know details know discussions publication goes didn know details asked knew alleged offer federal election conservatives began campaign period policy day strategy contrary liberal plan holding major announcements christmas holidays harper dominated media coverage weeks election party showed modest movement polls harper personal numbers significantly trailed party began rise response liberals launched negative ads targeting harper similar attacks election tactics sufficient conservative advantage manage close point advantage public opinion harper personal numbers rose polls found considered better choice prime minister martin immediately prior christmas break letter candidate commissioner announced opened criminal investigation complaint appeared minister office leaked information leading insider trading making important announcement taxation income december confirmed information press release conclusion investigation civil servant charged criminal breach trust charges laid finance minister election gave largest number seats house majority government shortly midnight january martin conceded defeat later day martin informed governor general resign prime minister jean asked harper form government harper sworn canada 22nd prime minister february address parliament head government harper opened paying tribute queen canada elizabeth_ii lifelong dedication duty self sacrifice said canada canada united_kingdom joined golden circle crown links majestic past takes corpus petition rights english common law journalist said toronto star harper speech speeches canadian prime minister given analysis suggests political realignment underway based harper government election conservative party charged improper election spending case known scandal dragged years took plea deal admitting improper spending records hide prime minister federal election october week long campaign won federal election increased number seats parliament dissolution previous parliament actual popular vote canadians dropped slightly votes result lowest voter turnout canadian electoral history represented eligible canadian voters lowest level support winning party canadian history number opposition liberal mps fell seats mps required form majority government canada seat parliament parliamentary dispute december harper asked governor general parliament avoid vote confidence scheduled following monday canadian prime minister request granted jean lasted january opposition coalition dissolved shortly conservatives winning liberal supported confidence vote january december harper announced request governor general parliament effective immediately december winter olympics lasting march harper stated necessary canada economic plan jean granted request interview member parliament accused prime minister shutting democracy mentor chief staff questioned harper reasoning stating think government talking points haven entirely credible government explanation real issue harm opposition parties trying canadian issue small demonstrations took place january canadian cities towns cities countries facebook protest group attracted members poll released january found respondents opposed supported believed harper inquiry agreed harper explanation necessary economically senate appointments harper january advised governor general appoint new conservative senators fill senate quebec newfoundland new_brunswick ontario new senators quebec ontario ontario newfoundland new_brunswick changed party standings senate previously dominated liberals conservatives liberals vote non confidence harper cabinet defeated confidence vote march found contempt parliament harper accordance constitutional convention advised governor general general election occurrence commonwealth history government westminster parliamentary tradition losing confidence house_of_commons grounds contempt parliament confidence motion carried vote favour motion election week campaign harper led conservatives consecutive election victory time centre right party accomplished half century conservatives increased standing parliament dissolution previous parliament resulted centre right majority government won majority conservatives received greater number total votes election ended years minority governments time relegated liberals place time brought canada member parliament reduced seats election conservatives accused cheating scandal mainly suppressing votes directing voters polling stations complaints canada person charged conservative convicted jailed election canada elections act general election place later october august harper request governor general dropped election october election defeated having won seats previous election mainly collapse conservative support southern ontario region swung heavily lost seats toronto won seats shut atlantic_canada time decades centre right mps region harper reelected essentially version riding hours conceding defeat election night harper resigned leader time remain new parliament harper resigned prime minister meeting governor general accepted resignation invited form government november conservative departure politics harper returned ottawa conservative addressed meeting conservative caucus included defeated mps november interim leader stated harper house key votes member earned right low profile service prime minister harper announced plans resign seat house_of_commons summer fall session parliament month harper delivered speech conservative party convention accomplishments party leader prime minister honoured party december harper set corporation lists director alongside close associates domestic policy constitutional issues political year time prime minister post accord prime ministers harper hand forced reopen quebec sovereignty debate opposition introduce motion house called recognition quebec nation november harper introduced motion recognize form nation united canada days later harper motion passed margin parties supported harper said remains dumping ground favoured prime minister time harper prime minister names governor general appointment senate resulting senate october election exception harper took office directed governor general appoint senate cabinet arguing government needed representation city montreal precedent action canadian history appointment led criticism opponents claimed harper push elected senate gave senate seat sought election member parliament defeated large margin incumbent october election harper named senate reform priority december recommended appointment senators provided additional people appointment senators appointed close ties including campaign manager critics accused harper liberals coined term conservative senator defended harper appointments said way senate filled having people loyal prime minister appointing economic management january federal deficit risen billion claimed certain conservatives raised canada deficit largest country history time canada lowest debt ratio economies economist magazine stated canada come recession stronger rich country canada came generate employment opportunities canadians census ahead canada census government announced long form collects detailed demographic information longer mandatory according minister industry change privacy related complaints consulting canada privacy commissioner reported receiving complaints according report canada chief appointed harper advice resigned july protest government change policy chief canada criticized government decision saying vulnerable poor new immigrants likely respond voluntary form information demographic opposed governmental non governmental organizations federation canadian municipalities city toronto canadian evangelical fellowship canada opposed change supported change provincial governments ontario quebec new_brunswick opposed change veterans annual budget increased billion billion quantity veterans served declined returned billion funding federal treasury offices closed positions phased department minister veterans affairs stated moving services online locations harper implemented new veterans charter passed party support previous liberal government charter turned previous lifetime veteran pension system sum payments harper canadian government spent fighting class action lawsuit brought group wounded veterans argued new charter statement defence filed federal lawyers argued government obligation social contract veterans foreign policy term harper dealt foreign policy issues relating united_states war terror arab israeli conflict free trade china africa reduced defence spending canadian harper visited china visit chinese premier publicly harper visiting earlier pointing meeting chinese premier canadian prime minister years harper response said years president country prime minister criticized harper missing opening ceremonies summer olympics beijing response spokesperson harper called remarks pointing attended olympic opening ceremonies years prime minister september harper visited australia addressed parliament january harper addressed israeli jerusalem harper repeatedly voiced opinion russia excluded association group nations russia support russian speaking ukrainian june harper said place table don believe leader defend having place criticized harper cutting foreign aid africa million falling short cutting african countries list priority aid recipients afghanistan march harper surprise trip afghanistan personnel deployed nato led late visit troops theatre support efforts demonstration government commitment reconstruction stability region harper choice foreign visit closely guarded press arrival afghanistan citing security concerns seen marking significant change relationship government military harper returned afghanistan surprise day visit included visiting canadian troops forward operating base located kilometres south making harper prime minister visited lines combat operation israeli jewish affairs harper shown admiration early 1990s friends colleagues describe views product thinking reading deeply middle_east toronto accompanied harper israel said sense harper sees israel manifestation justice historical especially light holocaust outset israel lebanon conflict harper defended israel right defend described military campaign lebanon measured response arguing release soldiers key ending conflict speaking situation lebanon july harper said wanted resolution thing happen recognize israel right exist harper blamed civilian deaths asserted objective destroy israel violence media noted harper allow reporters opportunities ask questions position canadians including arab canadians criticized harper description israel response december conference presidents major american jewish organizations recognized harper support israel inaugural international leadership award pointing harper decision boycott anti racism conference government support israel efforts israel march harper spoke parliament hill ceremony organized honour jewish victims mumbai attacks included attack expressed murder mumbai centre wife harper described killings values unite people harper added quick instalment new centre mumbai signal jewish people bow violence hatred canada lost bid seat initially blaming loss rival harper later said pro israeli stance harper said pro israeli stance matter political cost canada criticized harper stance mistake saying canada better able defend israel pointed determine sanctions imposed iran accused harper steering discussion away implementing state solution instead rendering discussion competition israel best friend free trade june conservative government announced finalized free trade negotiations agreement canada increased trade ties iceland norway switzerland value trade partners billion canada originally begun negotiations october talks broke disagreement subsidies shipyards atlantic_canada united_states shortly congratulated victory harper ambassador criticizing conservatives plans assert canada sovereignty waters armed forces harper meeting prime minister president occurred end march government received american news coverage democratic_party presidential details conversation barack_obama economic advisor canadian diplomat revealed canadians obama comments potentially political rhetoric actual policy accuracy reports debated obama campaign news came key time nearing ohio texas perceptions democratic voters benefits agreement dubious appearance obama completely attacked opponent hillary_clinton reported harper chief staff responsible details reaching hands media harper denied responsible leak launched investigation find source opposition democratic criticized government issue stating trying help republicans helping hillary_clinton win democratic nomination instead obama alleged leak hurt relations united_states obama president obama elected president november february obama foreign visit president ottawa affirmed support free trade canada complimenting canada involvement afghanistan environmental policy harper government took office canadian greenhouse gas emissions fell carbon dioxide equivalent previous liberal government greenhouse gas emissions increased reduction corresponded canada decreased economic output great recession emissions began increasing slightly economy began recovering significant factors canada decreased emissions prime minister harper time office initiatives carbon tax british_columbia cap trade system quebec ontario coal fired power plants clean air regulatory agenda emissions automobiles light trucks canada introduced address air pollution greenhouse gas emissions law clean air regulatory agenda established support efforts reduce greenhouse gas air emissions order improve environment health canadians december harper administration announced canada formally withdraw protocol environment minister stated clear path forward global solution climate change december canada formally withdraw protocol energy federal initiatives include loan guarantee scheduled completion hydroelectric installations combined capacity ability provide electricity year reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent taking million vehicles road year public transit harper administration invested billion public transit projects canada federal government provided million september finance minister invested federal contribution million supreme_court appointments harper chose following appointed justices governor general march august september present present present present present present keeping harper election promise change appointment process appointment involved review parliamentary committee following nomination prime minister short listed candidates committee convened previous liberal government harper choice harper appear hoc non partisan committee members parliament committee empowered block appointment called members september harper nominated nova scotia court appeal fill supreme_court seat left vacant departure large nomination received selection dissent noted surrounding nomination harper bypassed parliament supreme court selection panel supposed produce list candidates choose second newfoundland justice minister criticized appointment citing newfoundland government belief constitutional convention named court rotation atlantic canadian supreme court representation october harper announced nomination supreme court replace retiring morris fish appointment challenged ontario lawyer provincial government quebec contrary appointment criteria section supreme_court act response harper referred criteria issue supreme court question government amendments criteria constitutional supreme court subsequently ruled reference supreme court act appointment invalid federal government amend supreme_court act harper subsequently nominated position instead honours harper received october public service calgary awards ceremony held convention centre calgary place victory speech time magazine named canada year wrote prime minister dismissed experience government emerged warrior power june harper awarded international canadian awarded medal july harper honoured alberta blood tribe honorary chief ceremony recognized making official apology behalf residential schools abuse harper issued apology chief tribe explained believes apology officially started healing rebuilding relations federal native councils prime ministers canada awarded honorary title september harper received world statesman year award award offered group faith representatives occurred black tie banquet new_york previous recipients canada honorary degrees israel personal life harper married december married new children benjamin rachel harper prime minister send children ottawa member evangelical christian missionary alliance attends church east gate alliance church ottawa according party literature learning spanish avid follower ice hockey fan childhood communities toronto published book great game forgotten chronicles growth professional hockey particularly toronto writes articles occasionally subject harper appeared broadcast canada russia final world junior ice hockey championships interviewed expressed views state hockey preference overtime period lieu shoot february harper interviewed charity event harper taped cameo appearance episode television aired march reportedly owns large vinyl record collection fan beatles october joined stage gala performed little help friends accompanied ottawa band regularly received standing ovation providing piano accompaniment lead vocals song october harper taped cameo appearance episode television aired july fourth season harper feet inches tall prime minister employ personal stylist duties range coordinating clothing preparing hair makeup speeches television appearances public payroll paid time harper family cats stanley gypsy fostered cats harper longer prime minister family moved calgary alberta seat parliament electoral record electoral information taken expenditures refer submitted totals presented final reviewed totals available
Stephen Harper