Misplaced Pages

Stephen Harper: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 03:17, 8 July 2006 view source24.68.182.5 (talk) Staunton was an interim leader and as such doesn't count as leader any more than Bill Graham.← Previous edit Latest revision as of 08:28, 20 December 2024 view source Rushtheeditor (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users9,538 edits 2015 election 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Prime Minister {{Short description|Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015}}
{{Other people|Stephen Harper}}
| name=<small><small>]</small></small> Stephen Joseph Harper <small><small>,<br>], ], ]</small></small>
{{pp-move}}
| pre-name=]
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
| post-name=], ], ]
{{Good article}}
| image=Stephen Harper head.jpg <!-- Please do not replace a free image with a fairuse image. See ] point #1 -->
{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2021}}
| order=]
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
| term_start =], ]
{{Infobox officeholder
| term_end =
| predecessor =] | honorific_prefix = ]
| successor = | name = Stephen Harper
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|CC|AOE|size=100%}}
| birth_date =], ] <!-- some sources say 20th, but Parliament website biography says 30th -->
| image = Stephen Harper by Remy Steinegger Infobox.jpg
| birth_place =]
| alt = Photograph of Harper in 2010 wearing a dark suit, red tie, and a Canadian flag lapel pin.
| death_date =
| caption = Harper in 2010
| death_place =
| order1 = 22nd
| party=]
| office1 = Prime Minister of Canada
| spouse=]
| monarch1 = ]
| riding=]
| governor_general1 = {{plainlist|
}}<!--Before putting The Right Honourable in front of his name please read ] -->
* ]
'''Stephen Joseph Harper''' (born ], ]) is the 22nd and current ] and leader of the ]. He became Prime Minister after leading the Conservatives to a ] win in the ], which ended more than twelve years of ] government.
* ]
}}
| term_start1 = February 6, 2006
| term_end1 = November 4, 2015
| predecessor1 = ]
| successor1 = ]
| office2 = 4th ]{{efn|International Democrat Union until 2023.}}
| deputy2 = ]
| term_start2 = February 21, 2018
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = ]
| successor2 =
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Additional offices held|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey}}
| office3 = ]
| primeminister3 = Paul Martin
| term_start3 = March 20, 2004
| term_end3 = February 6, 2006
| predecessor3 = ]
| successor3 = ]
| primeminister4 = {{plainlist|
* ]
* Paul Martin
}}
| term_start4 = May 21, 2002
| term_end4 = January 8, 2004
| predecessor4 = ]
| successor4 = Grant Hill
| office5 = ]
| term_start5 = March 20, 2004
| term_end5 = October 19, 2015
| deputy5 = ]
| predecessor5 = ] (interim)
| successor5 = ] (interim)
| office6 = ]
| term_start6 = March 20, 2002
| term_end6 = December 7, 2003
| predecessor6 = John Reynolds (interim)
| successor6 = ''Position abolished''
| parliament7 = Canadian
| riding7 = ]<br />{{nobold|] (2002–2015)}}
| term_start7 = May 13, 2002
| term_end7 = August 26, 2016
| predecessor7 = ]
| successor7 = ]
| parliament8 = Canadian
| riding8 = ]
| term_start8 = October 25, 1993
| term_end8 = April 26, 1997
| predecessor8 = ]
| successor8 = ]
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| birth_name = Stephen Joseph Harper
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|04|30|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = ], ], Canada
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| party = ] (since 2003)
| otherparty = {{plainlist|
* ] (until 1981)
* ] (1981–1986)
* ] (1987–2000)
* ] (2000–2003)
}}
| spouse = {{marriage|]|December 11, 1993}}
| children = 2
| relatives =
| residence = ], ], Canada
| alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|]<br />(no degree)|]<br />(], 1985; ], 1991)}}
| signature = Stephen Harper Signature-rt.svg
| signature_alt = Vectorized signature of Stephen Harper.
| website = {{URL|stephenharper.com}}
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Stephen Harper voice.ogg|title=Stephen Harper's voice|type=speech|description=Recorded January 26, 2012}}
}}


'''Stephen Joseph Harper''' (born April 30, 1959) is a Canadian <!--DO NOT add economist before consensus is established at ] per ]-->politician who served as the 22nd ]<!--DO NOT capitalize prime minister, per ]--> from 2006 to 2015. He is the only prime minister to have come from the modern-day ], serving as the party's first ] from 2004 to 2015.
Harper has been the ] (MP) for the ] of ] in ] since 2002, having previously served as the MP for ] from 1993 to 1997. According to Canadian protocol, as Prime Minister, he is styled "]" for life.


As one of the founding members of the ], he ended his first stint as an MP to head the ]. After ] was ousted in 2002, Harper became leader of the ] and returned to Parliament as Leader of the Opposition. In 2003, he successfully reached an agreement with ] leader ] to merge the Canadian Alliance with the Progressive Conservative Party to form the Conservative Party of Canada. He was elected as the first party's leader in March 2004. Harper speaks both English and French. Harper studied economics, earning a bachelor's degree in 1985 and a master's degree in 1991 at the ]. He was one of the founders of the ] and was first elected in ] in ]. He did not seek re-election in the ], instead joining and later leading the ], a conservative lobbyist group. In ], he succeeded ] as leader of the ], the successor to the Reform Party, and returned to parliament as ]. In 2003, Harper negotiated the merger of the Canadian Alliance with the ] to form the Conservative Party of Canada and was elected as the party's first leader in ]. In the ], the new party lost its first election to the ] led by ].


The ] resulted in a ] led by the Conservative Party with Harper becoming prime minister of Canada. During his first term, Harper confronted the ], reduced the ] to five percent, and passed the '']'', the ], and the ]. After the ], in which the Conservatives won a larger minority, Harper ] to defeat a ], passed the ] of major personal income tax cuts and infrastructure investments in response to the ], introduced the ], and ordered ] during the ]. In March 2011, a ] found his government to be in ], triggering ] in which the Conservatives won a ]. During his third term, Harper ], launched ] in opposition to ], privatized the ], repealed the ], passed the '']'', launched ], and grappled with controversies surrounding the ] and the ].
==Background==


In the ], the Conservative Party lost power to the Liberal Party led by ]. Harper officially stepped down as party leader on October 19, 2015, and resigned his seat on August 26, 2016. Since then, Harper has taken on a number of international business and leadership roles, founding a global consulting firm, appearing in US and British media, and being elected leader of the ].
Stephen Harper is the eldest of three sons born to Margaret Johnstone and the late Joseph Harper (1927&ndash;2003), an ] who worked with ]. He was born and raised in ]. He attended ], a ] in Central ]. He graduated in 1978 as the top student of his graduating year.


==Early life and education==
Harper briefly studied at the ] before travelling to ], where he found employment in the ] as a ] in his early twenties. He later attended the ], receiving a ] in ]. His links to the University remain strong, and he has been a frequent lecturer there.
Harper was born and raised in ],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ballingall|first1=Alex|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/federal-election/2015/10/19/what-its-like-living-in-stephen-harpers-old-house.html |title=What it's like living in Stephen Harper's old house |work=Toronto Star |date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> a neighbourhood of ], Ontario, the first of three sons of Margaret (née Johnston) and Joseph Harris Harper, an accountant at ].<ref>William Johnson, ''Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada'', p. 7</ref> The Harper family traces its ancestral roots back to ], a village in ], ], with Harper's 4th great-grandfather Christopher having emigrated to ] in 1774, where he later served as ] in the area that is now ].<ref name="Globe And Mail">{{cite news|last1=MacGregor|first1=Roy|title=Tracing the Prime Minister's family tree|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/incoming/tracing-the-prime-ministers-family-tree/article4274405/|access-date=May 20, 2015|work=Globe & Mail}}</ref><ref>Al Smith, "", in ''The White Fence: Newsletter of the Tantramar Heritage Trust'', Issue # 45, April 2010. Accessed April 10, 2021.</ref>


Harper attended Northlea Public School and, later, ] and ], both in ], Toronto. He graduated from high school in 1978, and was a member of Richview Collegiate's team on '']'', a televised academic quiz show for high school students.<ref name=ReachForTheTop>O'Connor, Naoibh,{{cite web|url=http://www.vancourier.com/issues04/064104/news/064104nn11.html |title='Nerds' tops in Canada |access-date=October 9, 2006 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019191959/http://www.vancourier.com/issues04/064104/news/064104nn11.html |archive-date=October 19, 2006 }}, ''The Vancouver Courier'', August 5, 2004. Retrieved October 9, 2006.</ref> Harper studied at the ] ] before moving to Alberta.<ref name=Johnson>William Johnson, ''Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada'', p. 12</ref> In an attempt to establish independence from his parents, Harper dropped out of the University of Toronto and then moved to ], Alberta, where he found work in the mail room at Imperial Oil.<ref name=Johnson /> Later, he advanced to work on the company's computer systems. He took up post-secondary studies again at the ], where he completed a bachelor's degree in economics in 1985. He later returned there to earn a master's degree in economics, completed in 1991.<ref name = Historica>Harrison, Trevor W., (2012) "Stephen Harper." ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'' Historica Canada last ed. June 11, 2015.</ref> Throughout his career, Harper has kept strong links to the University of Calgary. Trained as an economist, Harper was the first prime minister with an economics degree since ] and the first prime minister without a law degree since ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 1, 2013|title=Politicians now more likely to be businessmen than lawyers|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/02/01/politicians_now_more_likely_to_be_businessmen_than_lawyers.html|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=thestar.com|language=en}}</ref>
Harper married ] in 1993. They have two children: Benjamin, born in 1996, and Rachel, born in 1999.


==Political beginnings==
Harper is an avid fan of ] and of the ], and is currently writing a history book about the sport.
Harper became involved in politics as a member of his high school's ].<ref name=canadiancontent1>{{cite web |url=http://www.canadiancontent.net/people/politics/Stephen-Harper.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028010046/http://www.canadiancontent.net/people/politics/Stephen-Harper.html |archive-date=2008-10-28 |title=Stephen Harper |website=Canadian Content |access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> He later changed his political allegiance because he disagreed with the ] (NEP) of Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government.<ref>William Johnson, ''Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada'', p. 19</ref> He became executive assistant to Progressive Conservative (PC) Member of Parliament (MP) ] in 1985 but later became disillusioned with the party and the government of ], citing the administration's economic policy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/alliance_race/harper1.html|title=Stephen Harper |website=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030214221241/http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/alliance_race/harper1.html |access-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-date=February 14, 2003 |quote=Harper had been involved with the Progressive Conservative party since 1981 and after graduating he took a job as executive assistant to Jim Hawkes, the Tories' MP for Calgary West. That lasted until 1986, when Harper experienced what Preston Manning called "profound disillusionment" with the Conservative government in Ottawa, especially their economic and fiscal policy.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgarian-longtime-tory-mp-jim-hawkes-has-died-at-84-1.5130506|title=Longtime Calgary MP Jim Hawkes has died at 84|website=CBC News|date=May 9, 2019|access-date=March 9, 2022}}</ref> He left the PC Party the next year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/alliance_race/harper1.html |website=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030214221241/http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/alliance_race/harper1.html |access-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-date=February 14, 2003 |quote=Harper had been involved with the Progressive Conservative party since 1981 and after graduating he took a job as executive assistant to Jim Hawkes, the Tories' MP for Calgary West. That lasted until 1986, when Harper experienced what Preston Manning called "profound disillusionment" with the Conservative government in Ottawa, especially their economic and fiscal policy.|title=CBC.CA - Stephen Harper profile }}</ref>


Harper was then recommended by the University of Calgary's economist Bob Mansell to ], the founder and leader of the ] ] ]. At that time, Harper "didn't see himself as a politician", Mansell told CBC News in 2002, adding, "Politics was not his first love."<ref name=cbc-bio>{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Schwartz|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/alliance_race/harper1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030214221241/http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/alliance_race/harper1.html|title=Stephen Harper|work=]|date=April 4, 2002|archive-date=February 14, 2003}}</ref>
Harper has been called a "]" by his friends and an "]" by his detractors. Observers have suggested that he has recently sought to refine his image to appear more moderate and to appeal to a wider range of the electorate.


Manning invited him to participate in the party, and Harper gave a speech at Reform's 1987 founding convention in ]. He became the Reform Party's chief policy officer, and he played a major role in drafting the 1988 election platform,<ref name=cbc-bio/> otherwise known as the Blue Book, which helped form the principles and policies of the party. Harper was influenced by his political mentor, ], when writing the book.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewalrus.ca/the-man-behind-stephen-harper/|title=The Man behind Stephen Harper|last=McDonald|first=Marci|date=October 12, 2004|website=The Walrus|language=en-US|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://contentdm.ucalgary.ca/digital/collection/reform/id/197/|title=Cover|website=contentdm.ucalgary.ca|language=en|access-date=November 10, 2019|archive-date=November 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110184621/https://contentdm.ucalgary.ca/digital/collection/reform/id/197/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bratt|first=Duane|date=January 2, 2018|title=Implementing the Reform Party agenda: the roots of Stephen Harper's foreign policy|journal=Canadian Foreign Policy Journal|volume=24|issue=1|pages=1–17|doi=10.1080/11926422.2017.1359195|s2cid=158332437|issn=1192-6422}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tory-candidates-anti-immigrant-rhetoric-an-act-of-self-destruction/article34220404/|title=Tory candidates' anti-immigrant rhetoric an act of self-destruction|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref> Harper is credited with creating Reform's campaign slogan, "The West wants in!"<ref>{{cite news|first=Rex|last=Murphy|url=http://www.cbc.ca/national/rex/2007/03/stephen_harpers_new_priority.html|title=Rex Murphy: Stephen Harper's new priority|publisher=cbc.ca|date=March 22, 2007|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref>
==Political beginnings==
He first became involved in politics in high school, serving as a member of the school's ]. However, Harper's political allegiance later changed in opposition to the ] ] government's ] (NEP), which he thought was harming Alberta's ]. He became chief aide to Tory MP ] in 1985, but quickly became disillusioned with the government of ] and the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party. Harper was especially critical of the government's ] and inability to fully revoke the NEP until 1986. He left the PC Party in 1986.


Harper ran for the House of Commons in the ] in Calgary West and losing by a wide margin to Hawkes, his former employer. After Reform candidate ] was elected as the party's first MP in a 1989 ], Harper became Grey's executive assistant, serving as her chief adviser and speechwriter until 1993.<ref name="Geoff White 1989">Geoff White, "Ottawa will be hearing from Reform MP", ''Calgary Herald'', April 21, 1989, pg. A5.</ref> He remained prominent in the Reform Party's national organization in his role as policy chief, encouraging the party to expand beyond its Western base and arguing that strictly regional parties were at risk of being taken over by radical elements.<ref>Paul Gessell, "The "other' parties are picking up big followings", '']'', October 26, 1990, A9.</ref> He delivered a speech at the Reform Party's 1991 national convention, in which he condemned extremist views.<ref>George Oake, "Reform Party tries to avoid appearance of extremism", ''Toronto Star'', April 6, 1991, pg. A12</ref>
He was then recommended to ], the founder and leader of the Reform Party, by one of Harper's professors, noted Western economist ]. Harper impressed Manning, who invited him to participate in the party. At age 28, he gave an important speech at Reform's 1987 founding convention in ]. He became the Reform Party's Chief Policy Officer, and played a major role in drafting the 1988 election platform and creating Reform's campaign slogan, "The West wants in!"


Harper's relationship with Manning became strained in 1992, because of conflicting strategies over the ]. Harper opposed the accord on principle for ideological reasons, while Manning was initially more open to compromise. Harper also criticized Manning's decision to hire ] as an adviser, believing that Anderson was not sufficiently committed to the Reform Party's principles.<ref>William Johnson, ''Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada'', (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 2005), pp. 179–83</ref> Harper resigned as the policy chief in October 1992.
In the ], Harper ran for a ] seat in Calgary West as '''Steve Harper'''. Despite finishing second, he lost by a wide margin to Hawkes, his former employer. Harper was named executive assistant to newly-elected Reform MP ] in 1989, and served as her chief advisor and speech writer until 1993.<ref>Geoff White, "Ottawa will be hearing from Reform MP", ''Calgary Herald'', ] ], A5.</ref> He also remained a prominent figure in the Reform Party's national organization through his role as policy chief. Harper encouraged the party to expand beyond its Western base in 1990, arguing that strictly regional parties are often at risk of being taken over by radical elements.<ref>Paul Gessell, "The "other' parties are picking up big followings", ''Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', ] ], A9.</ref> The following year, he delivered a speech condemning radical extremism at the Reform Party's national convention.<ref>George Oake, "Reform Party tries to avoid appearance of extremism", ''Toronto Star'', ] ], A12.</ref>


Harper stood for office again in the ] and defeated Jim Hawkes amid a significant Reform breakthrough in Western Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-robson-why-should-maxime-bernier-wait-havent-we-all-waited-long-enough|title=John Robson: Why should Maxime Bernier wait? Haven't we all waited long enough? {{!}} National Post|newspaper=National Post|date=August 28, 2018|language=en-CA|access-date=December 13, 2019}}</ref> The ] (NCC) ran a $50,000 print and television campaign against Hawkes but did not endorse Harper directly.<ref>Kenneth Whyte, "The right-wingers duke it out in the Calgary West corral", ''The Globe and Mail'', October 2, 1993, pg. D2</ref>
Harper's relationship with Manning became strained in 1992, as a result of conflicting strategies for the Reform Party's response to the ]. Harper opposed the Accord in principle for ideological reasons, while Manning was more open to compromise. Harper also opposed Manning's decision to hire ] as an advisor, believing that Anderson was not sufficiently committed to the principles of the Reform Party.<ref>William Johnson, ''Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada'', (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 2005), pp. 179-183.</ref> He resigned as policy chief in October 1992, and focused on his own campaign in Calgary West.


==Member of Parliament (1993–1997)==
Harper defeated Jim Hawkes in the ] amid a significant Reform breakthrough in Western Canada. His campaign benefited from a $50,000 print and television campaign organized by the ] against Hawkes, although the NCC did not endorse Harper directly.<ref>Kenneth Whyte, "The right-wingers duke it out in the Calgary West corral", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], D2.</ref>
Harper emerged a prominent member of the Reform Party caucus. He was active on constitutional issues and played a prominent role in drafting the Reform Party's strategy for the ]. A long-standing opponent of centralized ], he stood with Preston Manning in Montreal to introduce a twenty-point plan to "decentralize and modernize" Canada in the event of a "no" victory.<ref>Neville Nankivell, "Reform's voice will grow louder", ''Financial Post'', October 31, 1995, p. 23</ref> Harper later argued that the "no" side's narrow ] was a worst-case scenario, in that no-one had won a mandate for change.<ref>"Harris joins other leaders in calling for change", ''Hamilton Spectator'', October 31, 1995, pg. A1</ref>


Harper has expressed some ] views on certain issues.<ref>{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Dufour|url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/jan2006/harp-j20.shtml|title=Who is Stephen Harper, the Conservative poised to be Canada's next prime minister?|work=World Socialist Web Site|publisher=International Committee of the Fourth International|date=January 20, 2006|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> In 1994, he opposed plans by federal Justice Minister ] to introduce spousal benefits for same-sex couples. Citing the recent failure of a similar initiative in Ontario, he was quoted as saying, "What I hope they learn is not to get into it. There are more important social and economic issues, not to mention the unity question."<ref>Marta Gold, "Same-sex fight going to Ottawa", ''Hamilton Spectator'', June 10, 1994, pg. A3</ref> Harper also spoke against the possibility of the ] or the ] changing federal policy in these and other matters.<ref>Joan Crockett, "Robinson lays equality complaint", ''Hamilton Spectator'', June 22, 1994, pg. A12</ref>
==Reform MP==
Harper emerged a prominent member of the Reform Party caucus, and earned respect even from political opponents for his intellect and ideological commitment. Author ] once described him as the "one MP of substance" in the party.<ref>Mordecai Richler, "We're in trouble: There isn't even an illusion of choice in the upcoming federal election", ''Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', ] ], A11.</ref>


At the Reform Party's 1994 policy convention, Harper was part of a small minority of delegates who voted against restricting the definition of marriage to "the union of one man and one woman".<ref>], "Stephen Harper: a neo-con in a land of liberals", ''Globe and Mail'', March 23, 2002, A17.</ref> He opposed both ] and mandated benefits for same-sex couples, but argued that political parties should refrain from taking official positions on these and other "issues of conscience".<ref>Johnson, ''Stephen Harper'', p. 222</ref>
Harper was active on ]al issues during his first term in parliament, and played a prominent role in drafting the Reform Party's strategy for the ]. A long-standing opponent of centralized ], he stood with Preston Manning in ] to introduce a twenty-point plan to "decentralize and modernize" Canada in the event of a "no" victory.<ref>Neville Nankivell, "Reform's voice will grow louder", ''Financial Post'', ] ], p. 23.</ref> Harper later argued that the "no" side's narrow ] was a worst-case scenario, in that no-one had won a mandate for change.<ref>"Harris joins other leaders in calling for change", ''Hamilton Spectator'', ] ], A1.</ref>


Harper was the only Reform MP to support the creation of the ] at ] in 1995, although he later voted against it at ] stage. He said at the time that he initially voted for the registry because of a poll showing that most of his constituents supported it, and added that he changed his vote when a second poll showed the opposite result. It was reported in April 1995, that some Progressive Conservatives opposed to ]'s leadership wanted to remove both Charest and Manning, and unite the Reform and Progressive Conservative parties under Harper's leadership.<ref>Susan Delacourt, "Charest, Manning dismiss reports of parties' merging", ''Globe and Mail'', April 4, 1995, pg. A5</ref>
Although not associated with the Reform Party's radical wing, Harper expressed ] views on some issues. In 1994, he opposed plans by federal ] ] to introduce spousal benefits for ]s. Citing the recent failure of a similar initiative in ], he was quoted as saying, "What I hope they learn is not to get into it. There are more important social and economic issues, not to mention the unity question".<ref>Marta Gold, "Same-sex fight going to Ottawa", ''Hamilton Spectator'', ] ], A3.</ref> Harper also spoke against the possibility of the ] or the ] changing federal policy in these and other matters.<ref>Joan Crockett, "Robinson lays equality complaint", ''Hamilton Spectator'', ] ], A12.</ref>


Despite his prominent position in the party, Harper's relationship with the Reform Party leadership was frequently strained. In early 1994, he criticized a party decision to establish a personal expense account for Manning at a time when other Reform MPs had been asked to forego parliamentary perquisites.<ref>Geoffrey York, "Reform MPs snarl at party rebuke", ''Globe and Mail'', April 8, 1994, pg. A4</ref> He was formally rebuked by the Reform executive council despite winning support from some MPs. His relationship with Manning grew increasingly fractious in the mid-1990s, and he pointedly declined to express any opinion on Manning's leadership during a 1996 interview.<ref>Edward Greenspon, "Reform's renewal off to slow start", ''Globe and Mail'', August 1, 1996, A4; Edward Greenspon, "Manning seeks to repeat party's surge", ''Globe and Mail'', August 2, 1996, pg. A4</ref> This friction was indicative of a fundamental divide between the two men: Harper was strongly committed to conservative principles and opposed Manning's inclinations toward ], which Harper saw as leading to compromise on core ideological matters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Whyte |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Whyte |title=That Manning and Harper would clash has always been a safe bet |newspaper=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto |date=April 9, 1994|page=D2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ibbitson |first=John |author-link=John Ibbitson |title=Who is Stephen Harper? |date=January 14, 2006 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060114.wxibbitson14/BNStory/specialNewTory2006/national/?pageRequested=all |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116025756/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060114.wxibbitson14/BNStory/specialNewTory2006/national/?pageRequested=all |archive-date=January 16, 2009 }}
At the Reform Party's 1994 policy convention, Harper was part of a small minority of delegates who voted against restricting the definition of marriage to "the union of one man and one woman".<ref>Edward Greenspon, "Stephen Harper: a neo-con in a land of liberals", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A17.</ref> He actually opposed both ] and mandated benefits for same-sex couples, but argued that political parties should not take official positions on these and other issues of conscience.<ref>Johnson, ''Stephen Harper'', p. 222.</ref>
</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Harper, Manning and the path to power|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/harper-manning-and-the-path-to-power/article762818/|access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref>


These tensions culminated in late 1996 when Harper announced that he would not be a candidate in the ]. He resigned his parliamentary seat on January 14, 1997, the same day that he was appointed as a vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC), a conservative think-tank and advocacy group.<ref>"Stephen Harper named A NCC Vice-President", ''Canada NewsWire'', January 14, 1997</ref> He was promoted to NCC president later in the year.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The old Stephen Harper was preferable|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/the-old-stephen-harper-was-preferable/article725045/|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref>
Harper was the only Reform MP to vote for a bill establishing the ] at second reading stage in 1995, although he voted against it at third reading. He made his initial decision after concluding that a majority of his constituents supported the measure, but later decided that there was substantial opposition to the law.<ref>Dan Lett, "Outlaw Grits say no to party's gun bill", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', ] ] and "Gun bill advances despite three rebels", ''Hamilton Spectator'', ] ], A6; David Vienneau, "Torn MPs face high noon on gun law", ''Toronto Star'', ] ], A21.</ref> It was reported in April 1995 that some Progressive Conservatives opposed to ]'s leadership wanted to remove both Charest and Manning, and unite the Reform and Progressive Conservative parties under Harper's leadership.<ref>Susan Delacourt, "Charest, Manning dismiss reports of parties' merging", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A5.</ref>


In April 1997, Harper suggested that the Reform Party was drifting toward social conservatism and ignoring the principles of ].<ref>Thomas Walkom, No title , ''Toronto Star'', April 6, 1997, pg. A1</ref> The Liberal Party lost seats but managed to retain a narrow majority government in the 1997 federal election, while Reform made only modest gains.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilson-Smith|first=Anthony|title=Distinct Societies {{!}} Maclean's {{!}} June 9, 1997|url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1997/6/9/distinct-societies|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=Maclean's {{!}} The Complete Archive|language=en-US|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221310/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1997/6/9/distinct-societies}}</ref>
Despite his prominent position in the party, Harper's relationship with the Reform Party leadership was sometimes strained. In early 1994, he criticized a party decision to establish a personal expense account for Preston Manning, at a time when other Reform MPs had been asked to forego parliamentary ].<ref>Geoffrey York, "Reform MPs snarl at party rebuke", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A4.</ref> Harper's criticism proved divisive, and he was formally rebuked by the Reform executive council (despite winning support from some other MPs). His relationship with Manning grew increasingly fractious in the following years, and he pointedly declined to express any opinion on Manning's leadership during a 1996 interview.<ref>Edward Greenspon, "Reform's renewal off to slow start", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A4; Edward Greenspon, "Manning seeks to repeat party's surge", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A4.</ref> The open friction between Harper and Manning was indictative of a more fundamental divide between the two men. Harper was strongly committed to conservative principles and opposed Manning's inclinations toward ], which he saw as leading to compromise on core ideological matters.<ref>Kenneth Whyte, "That Manning and Harper would clash has always been a safe bet", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], D2; , ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], online edition.</ref>


==Out of parliament (1997–2001)==
These tensions culminated in late 1996 when Harper announced that he would not be a candidate in the ]. He resigned his parliamentary seat on ], ], the same day that he was appointed as a vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC), a conservative think-tank and advocacy group.<ref>"Stephen Harper named A NCC Vice-President", ''Canada NewsWire'', ] ], 10:51 report.</ref> He was promoted to NCC president later in the year.
Soon after leaving Parliament, Harper and Tom Flanagan co-authored an opinion piece entitled "Our ]", which argued that the Liberal Party only retained power through a dysfunctional political system and a divided opposition. Harper and Flanagan argued that federal conservative governments between 1917 and 1993 were founded on temporary alliances between Western populists and ], and were unable to govern because of their fundamental contradictions. The authors called for an alliance of Canada's conservative parties, and suggested that meaningful political change might require electoral reforms such as ]. "Our Benign Dictatorship" also commended ]'s purchase of the ] newspaper chain, arguing that his stewardship would provide for a "pluralistic" editorial view to counter the "monolithically liberal and ]" approach of the previous management.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harper|first1=Stephen|last2=Flanagan|first2=Tom|title=Our benign dictatorship|url=http://www.nextcity.com/main/town/6dictat.htm|website=Next City|access-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980529111958/http://www.nextcity.com/main/town/6dictat.htm|archive-date=May 29, 1998|date=1997}}</ref>


Harper remained active in constitutional issues. He was a prominent opponent of the ] on national unity in late 1997, describing it as an "appeasement strategy" against Quebec nationalism. He called for federalist politicians to reject this strategy, and approach future constitutional talks from the position that "Quebec separatists are the problem and they need to be fixed".<ref>Susan Delacourt, "Seeds planted for opposition to unity plan", ''Globe and Mail'', September 18, 1997, pg. A1</ref> In late 1999, Harper called for the federal government to establish clear rules for any future Quebec referendum on sovereignty.<ref>Stephen Harper, "Why Chrétien mustn't flag", ''Globe and Mail'', December 2, 1999, pg. A17</ref> Some have identified Harper's views as an influence on the Chrétien government's '']''.<ref>Chantal Hebert, "Harper takes pragmatic approach to Quebec", ''Toronto Star'', April 26, 2002, pg. A25</ref>
In April 1997, Harper suggested that the Reform Party was drifting toward social conservatism and ignoring the principles of economic conservatism.<ref>Thomas Walkom, No title , ''Toronto Star'', ] ], A1.</ref> The Liberal Party won a second majority government in the ], while Reform made only modest gains.


As president of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC) from 1998 to 2002, Harper launched an ultimately unsuccessful ] against federal election laws restricting third-party advertising.<ref>Daniel Leblanc, "Groups vow to fight new election bill", ''Globe and Mail'', June 8, 1999, pg. A4; "Gagged by statute", ''National Post'', June 8, 2000, pg. A19</ref> He led the NCC in several campaigns against the ],<ref>National Citizen's Coalition, "NCC To Back New Court Challenge To Wheat Board Monopoly", ''Canada NewsWire'', February 9, 1998, 11:15 report; National Citizen's Coalition, "NCC to blitz prairies with anti-Wheat Board radio ads", ''Canada NewsWire'', August 25, 1999</ref> and supported Finance Minister ]'s 2000 tax cuts as a positive first step toward tax reform.<ref>no title, ''Toronto Star'', February 29, 2000, p. 1</ref>
==Out of parliament==


In 1997, Harper delivered a controversial speech on ] to the ], a conservative American ]. He made comments such as "Canada is a Northern European ] in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it", "if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians", and "the ] is kind of proof that the Devil lives and interferes in the affairs of men."<ref>, CTV.ca, December 14, 2005</ref> These statements were made public and criticized during the ]. Harper argued that the speech was intended as humour, and not as serious analysis.<ref>Susan Riley, "Harper's suspect evolution", December 16, 2005, pg. A18</ref>
===1997-2000===


Harper considered campaigning for the Progressive Conservative Party leadership in 1998, after Jean Charest left federal politics. Among those encouraging his candidacy were senior aides to Ontario ] ], including ] and ].<ref>Jack Aubry, "Battle lines being drawn up for ideological heart of Tories", ''Hamilton Spectator'', April 7, 1998, pg. C3; ] was also mentioned as a possible supporter.</ref> He eventually decided against running, arguing that it would "burn bridges to those Reformers with whom I worked for many years" and prevent an alliance of right-wing parties from taking shape.<ref>Scott Feschuk, "Harper rejects run at Tory leadership", ''Globe and Mail'', April 10, 1998, pg. A1</ref> Harper was sceptical about the Reform Party's ] initiative in 1999, arguing that it would serve to consolidate Manning's hold on the party leadership.<ref>Rosemary Spiers, "Preston Manning's fork in the road", ''Toronto Star'', February 18, 1999, p. 1; "But who will lead it?", ''Globe and Mail'', February 22, 1999, pg. A10</ref> He also expressed concern that the UA would dilute Reform's ideological focus.<ref>Michael Taube, "United Alternative needs policy, not Reform party lite", ''Hamilton Spectator'', February 25, 1999, pg. A14</ref>
Soon after leaving parliament, Harper and Tom Flanagan co-authored an opinion piece entitled "Our Benign Dictatorship", which accused the Liberal Party of retaining power through a dysfunctional political system and a divided opposition. Harper and Flanagan argued that national conservative governments between 1917 and 1993 were founded on temporary alliances between Western populists and Quebec nationalists, and were unable to govern because of their fundamental contradictions. The authors called for an alliance of Canada's conservative parties, and suggested that meaningful political change might require electoral reforms such as ]. "Our Benign Dictatorship" also commended ]'s purchase of the ] newspaper chain, arguing that his stewardship would provide for a "pluralistic" editorial view to counter the "monolithically liberal and ]" approach of the previous management.<ref>, ''Next City'', Winter 1997.</ref>


When the United Alternative created the Canadian Alliance in 2000 as a successor party to Reform, Harper predicted that ] would defeat Preston Manning for the new party's leadership. He expressed reservations about Day's abilities, however, and accused Day of " adherence to his social views a ] to determine whether you're in the party or not".<ref>Tim Harper, "Bible belts", ''Toronto Star'', June 17, 2000, p. 1</ref> Harper endorsed Tom Long for the leadership, arguing that Long was best suited to take support from the Progressive Conservative Party.<ref>"That sound you hear is the shifting of conservative ground", April 21, 2000, ''Globe and Mail'', pg. A12</ref> When Day placed first on the first ballot, Harper said that the Canadian Alliance was shifting "more towards being a party of the ]".<ref>Paul Adams, "Front-runner rides tide of religious conservatism", ''Globe and Mail'', June 26, 2000, pg. A1</ref>
Harper remained active in constitutional issues. He was a prominent opponent of the ] on national unity in late 1997, describing it as an "appeasement strategy" against Quebec nationalism. He called for federalist politicians to reject this strategy, and approach future constitutional talks from the position that "Quebec separatists are the problem and they need to be fixed".<ref> Susan Delacourt, "Seeds planted for opposition to unity plan", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A1.</ref> In late 1999, Harper called for the federal government to establish clear rules for any future Quebec referendum on sovereignty.<ref>Stephen Harper, "Why Chrétien mustn't flag", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A17.</ref> Some have identified Harper's views as an influence on the Chrétien government's ].<ref>Chantal Hebert, "Harper takes pragmatic approach to Quebec", ''Toronto Star'', ] ], A25.</ref>


After the death of Pierre Trudeau in 2000, Harper wrote an editorial criticizing Trudeau's policies as they affected Western Canada. He wrote that Trudeau "embraced the fashionable causes of his time, with variable enthusiasm and differing results", but "took a pass" on the issues that "truly defined his century".<ref>Stephen Harper, "On second thought", ''National Post'', October 5, 2000, pg. A18</ref> Harper subsequently accused Trudeau of promoting "unabashed socialism", and argued that Canadian governments between 1972 and 2002 had restricted ] through "state corporatism".<ref>Stephen Harper, "Get the state out of the economy", ''National Post'', February 8, 2002, pg. A14</ref>
As NCC leader, Harper launched an ultimately unsuccessful ] against federal election laws restricting third-party advertising.<ref>Daniel Leblanc, "Groups vow to fight new election bill", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A4; "Gagged by statute", ''National Post'', ] ], A19.</ref> He also led the NCC in several campaigns against the ],<ref>National Citizen's Coalition, "NCC To Back New Court Challenge To Wheat Board Monopoly", ''Canada NewsWire'', ] ], 11:15 report; National Citizen's Coalition, "NCC to blitz prairies with anti-Wheat Board radio ads", ''Canada NewsWire'', ] ], 14:29 report.</ref> and supported ] ]'s 2000 ]s as a positive first step toward tax reform.<ref>no title, ''Toronto Star'', ] ], p. 1.</ref>


After the Canadian Alliance's poor showing in the ], Harper joined with other Western conservatives in co-authoring a document called the "]". The letter called on Alberta to reform publicly funded health care, replace the ] with a provincial plan and replace the ] with a provincial police force. It became known as the "firewall letter", because it called on the provincial government to "build firewalls around Alberta" to stop the federal government from redistributing its wealth to less affluent regions.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041118224309/http://www.albertaresidentsleague.com/How/AlbertaAgendaLetter.htm |date=November 18, 2004 }}, ''National Post'', January 26, 2001, A14.</ref> Alberta ] ] agreed with some of the letter's recommendations, but distanced himself from the "firewall" comments.<ref>Jill Mahoney, "No 'firewall' needed around Alberta, Klein says", ''Globe and Mail'', February 8, 2001, A9.</ref>
In 1997, Harper delivered a controversial speech on ] to the ], a conservative American ]. He made comments such as "Canada is a Northern European ] in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it", "if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians", and "the ] is kind of proof that the Devil lives and interferes in the affairs of men." These statements were publicized and criticized during the ]. Harper argued that the speech was intended as humour, and not as serious analysis.<ref>, CTV.ca, ] ]; Susan Riley, "Harper's suspect evolution", ] ], A18.</ref>


Harper also wrote an editorial in late 2000 arguing that Alberta and the rest of Canada were "embark on divergent and potentially hostile paths to defining their country". He said that Alberta had chosen the "best of Canada's heritage—a combination of American enterprise and individualism with the British traditions of order and co-operation" while Canada "appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country&nbsp;... led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for the task". He also called for a "stronger and much more autonomous Alberta", while rejecting calls for ].<ref>Stephen Harper, "Separation, Alberta-style: It is time to seek a new relationship with Canada", ''National Post'', December 8, 2000, A18.</ref> In the ], Harper led the NCC in a "Vote Anything but Liberal" campaign.<ref>National Citizens Coalition, "NCC Ad Campaign Urges Albertans Not to Vote Liberal", ''Canada NewsWire'', February 13, 2001, 11:45 report.</ref> Some articles from this period described him as a possible successor to Klein.<ref>Chantal Hebert, "Alberta, Quebec sing from same complaint book", ''Toronto Star'', February 14, 2001, p. 1.</ref>
Harper considered campaigning for the Progressive Conservative Party leadership in 1998, after Jean Charest left federal politics. Among those encouraging his candidacy were senior aides to Ontario ] ], including ] and ].<ref>Jack Aubry, "Battle lines being drawn up for ideological heart of Tories", ''Hamilton Spectator'', ] ], C3. ] was also mentioned as a possible supporter.</ref> He eventually decided against running, arguing that it would "burn bridges to those Reformers with whom I worked for many years" and prevent an alliance of right-wing parties from taking shape.<ref>Scott Feschuk, "Harper rejects run at Tory leadership", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A1.</ref> Harper was skeptical about the Reform Party's ] initiative in 1999, arguing that it would serve to consolidate Manning's hold on the party leadership.<ref>Rosemary Spiers, "Preston Manning's fork in the road", ''Toronto Star'', ] ], p. 1; "But who will lead it?", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A10.</ref> He also expressed concern that the UA would dilute Reform's ideological focus.<ref>Michael Taube, "United Alternative needs policy, not Reform party lite", ''Hamilton Spectator'', ] ], A14.</ref>


Harper and the NCC endorsed a private school ] proposed by Ontario's ] government in 2001, arguing that it would "save about $7,000 for each student who does not attend a ]-run public school". ] ] criticized this, saying that her government's intent was not to save money at the expense of public education.<ref>Richard Mackie, "School tax-credit plan hailed as a money saver", ''Globe and Mail'', June 19, 2001, A5.</ref>
===2000-2001===


Day's leadership of the Canadian Alliance became increasingly troubled throughout the summer of 2001, as several party MPs called for his resignation. In June, the '']'' newspaper reported that former Reform MP ] was organizing a possible leadership challenge on Harper's behalf.<ref>Sheldon Alberts, "Harper mounts campaign to lead the right: Behind the scenes", ''National Post'', June 30, 2001, pg. A06</ref> Harper announced his resignation from the NCC presidency in August 2001, to prepare a campaign.<ref>National Citizen's Coalition, "Stephen Harper to Step Down as NCC President", ''Canada NewsWire'', August 13, 2001</ref>
When the United Alternative created the ] in 2000 as a successor party to Reform, Harper predicted that ] would defeat Preston Manning for the new party's leadership. He expressed serious reservations about Day's abilities, however, and accused him of " adherence to his social views a ] to determine whether you're in the party or not".<ref>Tim Harper, "Bible belts", ''Toronto Star'', ] ], p. 1.</ref> Harper endorsed ] for the leadership, arguing that Long was best suited to take support from the Progressive Conservative Party.<ref>"That sound you hear is the shifting of conservative ground", ] ], ''Globe and Mail'', A12.</ref> When Day placed first on the first ballot, Harper said that the Canadian Alliance was shifting "more towards being a party of the ]".<ref>Paul Adams, "Front-runner rides tide of religious conservatism", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A1.</ref>


==Leader of the Canadian Alliance (2002–2003)==
After ]'s death in 2000, Harper wrote an editorial criticizing Trudeau's policies as they affected Western Canada. He wrote that Trudeau "embraced the fashionable causes of his time, with variable enthusiasm and differing results", but "took a pass" on the issues that "truly defined his century".<ref>Stephen Harper, "On second thought", ''National Post'', ] ], A18.</ref> Harper subsequently accused Trudeau of promoting "unabashed ]", and argued that Canadian governments between 1972 and 2002 had restricted ] through "state corporatism".<ref>Stephen Harper, "Get the state out of the economy", ''National Post'', ] ], A14.</ref>
Stockwell Day called a new Canadian Alliance leadership race for 2002, and soon declared himself a candidate. Harper emerged as Day's main rival, and declared his own candidacy on December 3, 2001. He eventually won the support of at least 28 Alliance MPs,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Number 28 for Harper|publisher=Canada NewsWire|date=March 6, 2002}}</ref> including ], ]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Six Alliance MPs declare or reaffirm support for Harper's leadership bid|agency=]|date=December 7, 2001}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Five More MPs endorse Harper|publisher=Canada NewsWire|date=February 20, 2002}}</ref> During the campaign, Harper reprised his earlier warnings against an alliance with Quebec nationalists, and called for his party to become the federalist option in Quebec.<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Harper|title=A vision of federalism for all Canadians|newspaper=National Post|date=January 19, 2002|page=A18}}</ref> He argued that "the French language is not imperilled in Quebec", and opposed "special status" for the province in the ] accordingly.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Arpon|last=Basu|title=Alliance candidate Stephen Harper says French not threatened in Quebec|publisher=Canadian Press|date=January 19, 2002}}</ref> He also endorsed greater provincial autonomy on ], and said that he would not co-operate with the Progressive Conservatives as long as they were led by Joe Clark.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Brian|last=Laghi|title=Harper launches campaign|work=The Globe and Mail|date=December 4, 2001|page=A8}}</ref> On social issues, Harper argued for "parental rights" to use ] against their children and supported raising the age of sexual consent.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Brian|last=Laghi|title=Harper campaigns on social issues|work=The Globe and Mail|date=February 21, 2002|page=A4}}</ref> He described his potential support base as "similar to what ] tapped".<ref>{{Cite news|first=Ian|last=Hunter|title=The cult of policy|work=The Globe and Mail|date=March 7, 2002|page=A19}}</ref>


The tone of the leadership contest turned hostile in February 2002. Harper described Day's governance of the party as "amateurish",<ref>"No more Mr. Nice Guy in Alliance leadership race", ''Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', February 4, 2002, pg. A3</ref> while his campaign team argued that Day was attempting to win re-election by building a narrow support base among different groups in the religious right.<ref>Robert Fife, "Day accused of courting evangelicals", ''National Post'', February 9, 2002, pg. A06</ref> The Day campaign accused Harper of "attacking ethnic and religious minorities".<ref>Campbell Clark, "Harper attacking minorities, Day leadership camp charges", ''Globe and Mail'', February 12, 2002, pg. A12</ref> In early March, the two candidates had an especially fractious debate on ].<ref>Brian Laghi, "Harper, Day swap insults in debate", ''Globe and Mail'', March 8, 2002, pg. A4</ref> The leadership vote was held on March 20, 2002. Harper was elected on the first ballot with 55% support, against 37% for Day. Two other candidates split the remainder.
After the Canadian Alliance's poor showing in the ], Harper joined with other Western conservatives in co-authoring a document called the "]". The letter called on Alberta to reform publicly-funded health care, replace the ] with a provincial plan and replace the ] with a provincial police force. It became known as the "firewall letter", because it called on the provincial government to "build firewalls around Alberta" in order to stop the federal government from redistributing its wealth to less affluent regions.<ref>, ''National Post'', ] ], A14.</ref> Alberta ] ] agreed with some of the letter's recommendations, but distanced himself from the "firewall" comments.<ref>Jill Mahoney, "No 'firewall' needed around Alberta, Klein says", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A9.</ref>


After winning the party leadership, Harper announced his intention to run for parliament in a by-election in Calgary Southwest, recently vacated by Preston Manning. ] had been chosen as the riding's Alliance candidate and declared that he would not stand aside for Harper; he later reconsidered.<ref>Dawn Walton, "Rookie Levant ready to run", ''Globe and Mail'', March 28, 2002, pg. A8; Sheldon Alberts, "'Troubled' Levant lets Harper run", ''National Post'', March 29, 2002, pg. A01</ref> The Liberals did not field a candidate, following a parliamentary tradition of allowing opposition leaders to enter the House of Commons unopposed. The Progressive Conservative candidate, ], also chose to withdraw.<ref>"Alliance leader won't face Tories in byelection bid", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', March 31, 2002, pg. A8</ref> Harper was elected without difficulty over |New Democrat ], a former ] moderator. Harper told a reporter during the campaign that he "despise" Phipps, and declined to debate him.<ref>Jeffrey Simpson, "He makes Harper think uncharitable thoughts", ''Globe and Mail'', May 7, 2002, pg. A19; Phipps later said that he was "shocked" by Harper's language. See Louise Elliott, "NDP candidate slams Alliance leader for personal comment, refusal to debate", ''Canadian Press'', May 9, 2002,</ref>
Harper also wrote an editorial in late 2000 arguing that Alberta and the rest of Canada were "embark on divergent and potentially hostile paths to defining their country". He said that Alberta had chosen the "best of Canada's heritage -- a combination of American enterprise and individualism with the British traditions of order and co-operation" while Canada "appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for the task". He also called for a "stronger and much more autonomous Alberta", while rejecting calls for separatism.<ref>Stephen Harper, "Separation, Alberta-style: It is time to seek a new relationship with Canada", ''National Post'', ] ], A18.</ref> In the ], Harper led the NCC in a "Vote Anything but Liberal" campaign.<ref>National Citizens Coalition, "NCC Ad Campaign Urges Albertans Not to Vote Liberal", ''Canada NewsWire'', ] ], 11:45 report.</ref> Some articles from this period described him as a possible successor to Klein.<ref>Chantal Hebert, "Alberta, Quebec sing from same complaint book", ''Toronto Star'', ] ], p. 1.</ref>


Harper officially became the ] in May 2002. Later in the same month, he said that the ] were trapped in "a culture of defeat" which had to be overcome, the result of policies designed by Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments. Many Atlantic politicians condemned the remark as patronizing and insensitive. The ] unanimously approved a motion condemning Harper's comments,<ref>Brian Laghi, "Motion by MLAs condemns Harper", ''Globe and Mail'', May 31, 2002, pg. A5; The motion was brought forward by Nova Scotia NDP leader ].</ref> which were also criticized by ], ], federal Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark and others. Harper refused to apologize, and said that much of Canada was trapped by the same "can't-do" attitude.<ref>Louise Elliott, "Harper calls Canada a nation of defeatists, defends remark about easterners", ''Canadian Press'', May 29, 2002, 17:23 report; Brian Laghi, "Premiers tell Harper his attack was wrong", ''Globe and Mail'', May 30, 2002, pg. A8</ref>
Harper and the NCC endorsed a ] ] proposed by Ontario's ] government in 2001, arguing that it would "save about $7,000 for each student who does not attend a ]-run ]". ] ] criticized this, saying that her government's intent was not to save money at the expense of public education.<ref>Richard Mackie, "School tax-credit plan hailed as a money saver", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A5.</ref>


In March 2003, their speeches in favour gaining no traction in Parliament, Harper and Stockwell Day co-wrote a letter to '']'' in which they condemned the Canadian government's unwillingness to participate in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=771117 |title=Edited Hansard * Table of Contents * Number 074 (Official Version) |publisher=Parl.gc.ca |access-date=May 21, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=David|last=Beers|url=http://www.tommydouglas.ca/news/2006/01/24/no-bush-please-were-canadian|title=No Bush, please&nbsp;— we're Canadian|agency=Salon.com|publisher=Tommy Douglas Research Institute|date=January 25, 2006|access-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602123220/http://www.tommydouglas.ca/news/2006/01/24/no-bush-please-were-canadian|archive-date=June 2, 2008}}</ref>
Day's leadership of the Canadian Alliance became increasingly troubled throughout the summer of 2001, as several party MPs called for his resignation. In June, the '']'' newspaper reported that former Reform MP ] was organizing a possible leadership challenge on Harper's behalf.<ref>Sheldon Alberts, "Harper mounts campaign to lead the right: Behind the scenes", ''National Post'', ] ], A06.</ref> Harper announced his resignation from the NCC presidency in August 2001, to prepare a campaign.<ref>National Citizen's Coalition, "Stephen Harper to Step Down as NCC President", ''Canada NewsWire'', ] ], 13:43 report.</ref>


As party leader, Harper sought to merge the Alliance with the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) to create a united ] party. The possibility of a united conservative party increased after ] was ] Progressive Conservative leader in May 2003. On October 16, 2003, Harper and Mackay agreed to merge the two parties to form the ]. After 95 percent of Alliance members voted in favour of merging with the PCs and 90 percent of 2,486 PC delegates voted in favour of merging with the Alliance, the Conservative Party of Canada was founded on December 7, 2003.<ref>{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Unite the right: Timeline |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/conservativeparty/uniteright_timeline.html |website=CBC News |access-date=July 11, 2022}}</ref>
==Canadian Alliance leadership==


==Leader of the Conservative Party ==
Day bowed to pressure, and called a new Canadian Alliance leadership race for 2002. He later announced that he would be a candidate to succeed himself. Harper emerged as Day's main rival, and declared his own candidacy on ], ]. He eventually won the support of at least twenty-eight Alliance MPs,<ref>"Number 28 for Harper", ''Canada NewsWire'', ] ], 13:11 report.</ref> including ], ]<ref>"Six Alliance MPs declare or reaffirm support for Harper's leadership bid", ''Canadian Press'', ] ], 17:55 report.</ref> and ].<ref>"Five More MPs endorse Harper", ''Canada NewsWire'', ] ], 14:25 report.</ref> During the campaign, Harper reprised his earlier warnings against an alliance with ] nationalists, and called for his party to become the federalist option in Quebec.<ref>Stephen Harper, "A vision of federalism for all Canadians", ''National Post'', ] ], A18.</ref> He argued that "the French language is not imperilled in Quebec", and opposed "special status" for the province in the ] accordingly.<ref>Arpon Basu, "Alliance candidate Stephen Harper says French not threatened in Quebec", ''Canadian Press'', ] ], 17:34 report.</ref> He also endorsed greater provincial autonomy on ], and said that he would not co-operate with the Progressive Conservatives as long as they were led by ].<ref>Brian Laghi, "Harper launches campaign", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A8.</ref> On social issues, Harper argued for "parental rights" to use ] against their children and supported raising the age of sexual consent.<ref>Brian Laghi, "Harper campaigns on social issues", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A4.</ref> He described his potential support base as "similar to what ] tapped".<ref>Ian Hunter, "The cult of policy", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A19.</ref>
{{see also|2004 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election}}
On January 12, 2004, Harper announced his resignation as the leader of the Official Opposition in order to run for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. Harper was elected the first leader of the Conservative Party, with a first ballot majority against ] and Tony Clement on March 20, 2004. Harper's victory included strong showings outside of Western Canada.<ref name="cpac092613">{{cite news |title=2004 Conservative Leadership Convention |url=https://www.cpac.ca/en/2004-conservative-leadership/# |access-date=October 29, 2020 |work=CPAC |date=September 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name="2004ridings">{{cite web |title=Breakdown by riding |url=http://www.conservative.ca/display.asp?doc_id=65 |publisher=Conservative Party of Canada |access-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040324015621/http://www.conservative.ca/display.asp?doc_id=65 |archive-date=March 24, 2004}}</ref>


===2004 federal election===
The tone of the leadership contest turned hostile in February 2002. Harper described Day's governance of the party as "amateurish",<ref>"No more Mr. Nice Guy in Alliance leadership race", ''Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', ] ], A3.</ref> while his campaign team argued that Day was attempting to win re-election by building a narrow support base among different groups in the religious right.<ref>Robert Fife, "Day accused of courting evangelicals", ''National Post'', ] ], A06.</ref> The Day campaign accused Harper of "attacking ethnic and religious minorities".<ref>Campbell Clark, "Harper attacking minorities, Day leadership camp charges", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A12.</ref> In early March, the two candidates had an especially fractious debate on ].<ref>Brian Laghi, "Harper, Day swap insults in debate", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A4.</ref> The leadership vote was held on ], ]. Harper was elected on the first ballot with 55% support, against 37% for Day. Two other candidates split the remainder.
{{main|2004 Canadian federal election}}
Harper led the Conservatives into the 2004 federal election. Initially, new prime minister Paul Martin held a large lead in polls, but this eroded because of infighting, ] (a ] that came as a result of a ] "] program" in the province of Quebec and involving the Liberal Party of Canada) and other scandals surrounding his government. The Liberals attempted to counter this with an early election call, as this would give the Conservatives less time to consolidate their merger.<ref name="nasty2004">{{cite news |last1=Wells |first1=Paul |title=The Inside Story Of Canada's Nastiest Campaign |url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2004/7/12/the-inside-story-of-canadas-nastiest-campaign |access-date=October 22, 2020 |work=Maclean's |date=July 12, 2004 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026180511/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2004/7/12/the-inside-story-of-canadas-nastiest-campaign }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Copps's battle a symptom of Liberal infighting|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/coppss-battle-a-symptom-of-liberal-infighting/article4086237/|access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 2005|title=2004 General Election|url=https://www.elections.ca/res/eim/pdf/insight_2005_01_e.pdf}}</ref>


This, along with an unpopular provincial budget by Liberal Premier ] in Ontario, moved the Conservatives into a lead for a time.<ref name=nasty2004/> However, comments by Conservative MPs, leaked press releases accusing the then prime minister of supporting ], as well as ]s suggesting that the Conservatives had a secret agenda, caused Harper's party to lose some momentum.<ref name="np042111">{{cite news |title=Are MP's remarks like 2004 again for Harper? |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/are-mps-remarks-like-2004-again-for-harper/ |access-date=October 22, 2020 |work=National Post |publisher=Postmedia |date=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref name="cbc062004">{{cite news |title=Stephen Harper's campaign mistake - CBC Archives |url=https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/stephen-harpers-campaign-mistake |access-date=October 22, 2020 |date=June 20, 2004 |work=CBC Television |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref name="po030106">{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Johnathan |title=The Liberals reap what they sow: why their negative ads failed |url=https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/the-prime-minister/the-liberals-reap-what-they-sow-why-their-negative-ads-failed/ |access-date=October 22, 2020 |work=Policy Options |date=March 1, 2006}}</ref>
After winning the party leadership, Harper announced his intention to run for parliament in a ] in ], recently vacated by Preston Manning. ] had already been chosen as the riding's Alliance candidate and initially declared that he would not stand aside for Harper; he subsequently reconsidered.<ref>Dawn Walton, "Rookie Levant ready to run", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A8; Sheldon Alberts, "'Troubled' Levant lets Harper run", ''National Post'', ] ], A01.</ref> The Liberals did not field a candidate, following a parliamentary tradition of allowing opposition leaders to enter the House of Commons unopposed. The Progressive Conservative candidate, ], also chose to withdraw.<ref>"Alliance leader won't face Tories in byelection bid", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', ] ], A8.</ref> Harper was elected without difficulty over ] ], a former ] moderator. Harper told a reporter during the campaign that he "despise" Phipps, and declined to debate him.<ref>Jeffrey Simpson, "He makes Harper think uncharitable thoughts", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A19. Phipps later said that he was "shocked" by Harper's language. See Louise Elliott, "NDP candidate slams Alliance leader for personal comment, refusal to debate", ''Canadian Press'', ] ], 17:23 report. </ref>


The Liberals were re-elected to power with a minority government, with the Conservatives coming in second place. The Conservatives managed to make inroads into the Liberals' Ontario stronghold, primarily in the province's socially conservative central region. However, they were shut out of Quebec, marking the first time that a centre-right party did not win any seats in that province. Harper, after some personal deliberation, decided to stay on as the party leader.<ref name="cbc120319">{{cite news |last1=Barton |first1=Rosemary |author-link1=Rosemary Barton |title=Why Scheer's defenders are pointing to the 2004 election now — and why the argument doesn't hold up |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/andrew-scheer-1.5382443 |access-date=October 21, 2020 |work=CBC News |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 1, 2004|title=What should the Conservatives do next?|url=https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/the-2004-federal-election/what-should-the-conservatives-do-next/|access-date=April 13, 2021|website=Policy Options|language=en}}</ref>
Harper officially became ] in May 2002. Later in the same month, he courted controversy by saying that the ] were trapped in "a culture of defeat" which had to be overcome, the result of policies designed by Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments. Many Atlantic politicians condemned the remark as patronizing and insensitive. The ] unanimously approved a motion condemning Harper's comments,<ref>Brian Laghi, "Motion by MLAs condemns Harper", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A5. The motion was brought forward by Nova Scotia NDP leader ].</ref> which were also criticized by ] ] ], ] Progressive Conservative leader ] and others. Harper refused to apologize, and said that much of Canada was trapped by the same "can't-do" attitude.<ref>Louise Elliott, "Harper calls Canada a nation of defeatists, defends remark about easterners", ''Canadian Press'', ] ], 17:23 report; Brian Laghi, "Premiers tell Harper his attack was wrong", ''Globe and Mail'', ] ], A8.</ref>
His first 18 months as opposition leader were largely devoted towards consolidating the fractured elements of the Canadian Alliance and encouraging a union of the Canadian Alliance and the federal Progressive Conservatives. The aim of this union was to present only one right-of-centre national party in the next federal election, thus preventing the vote-splitting of the past. In undertaking the merger talks, PC leader Peter MacKay reversed his previous agreement with leadership opponent ] not to merge with the Alliance. After reaching an agreement with MacKay in October 2003, the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada officially merged in December, with the new party being named the "]".


====Agreement with the BQ and the NDP====
==Conservative Party of Canada leadership==
Two months after the federal election, Harper privately met ] leader ] and New Democratic Party leader ] in a Montreal hotel.<ref name=gazetteCo-Opposition/> On September 9, 2004, the three signed a letter addressed to the ], ], stating, "We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blocquebecois.org/dossiers/campagne-2011/documents/9-09-2004-lettre_des_chefs_au_Gouverneur_general.pdf |access-date=April 25, 2011 |title=Letter to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328212803/http://www.blocquebecois.org/dossiers/campagne-2011/documents/9-09-2004-lettre_des_chefs_au_Gouverneur_general.pdf |archive-date=March 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/deception-thy-name-is-harper-118898409.html|work=Winnipeg Free Press|author=Frances Russell|title=Deception, thy name is Harper|date=March 30, 2011|access-date=April 25, 2011}}</ref> On the same day the letter was written, the three party leaders held a joint press conference at which they expressed their intent to co-operate on changing parliamentary rules, and to request that the governor general consult with them before deciding to call an election.<ref name=Harpercoalition>{{cite news|last=Chung|first=Andrew|title=Bloc leader accuses Harper of lying about coalition|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/962240--bloc-leader-accuses-harper-of-lying-about-coalition?bn=1|access-date=March 27, 2011|newspaper=]|date=March 26, 2011}}</ref> At the news conference, Harper said, "It is the Parliament that's supposed to run the country, not just the largest party and the single leader of that party. That's a criticism I've had and that we've had and that most Canadians have had for a long, long time now so this is an opportunity to start to change that." At the time, Harper and the two other opposition leaders denied trying to form a ].<ref name=gazetteCo-Opposition>{{cite news|title=Harper, Layton, Duceppe sought 'co-opposition' in 2004 letter to GG |url=http://www.canada.com/news/Harper+Layton+Duceppe+sought+opposition+2004+letter/4511865/story.html#ixzz1Htw6yDVP |newspaper=] |date=March 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401200203/http://www.canada.com/news/Harper%2BLayton%2BDuceppe%2Bsought%2Bopposition%2B2004%2Bletter/4511865/story.html |archive-date=April 1, 2011 }}</ref> Harper said, "This is not a coalition, but this is a co-operative effort."<ref name=Harpercoalition/>
On ], ], Harper announced his resignation as Leader of the Opposition, in order to run for the leadership of the ]. Harper won the ] easily, with a first ballot majority against ] and ] on ], ]. Harper's victory included strong showings in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.


On October 4, ], who was later appointed as a Conservative senator by Harper, said: "It is possible that you could change prime minister without having an election." He added that some Conservatives wanted Harper to temporarily become prime minister without holding an election. The next day, Layton walked out on talks with Harper and Duceppe, accusing them of trying to replace Paul Martin with Harper as prime minister. Both Bloc and Conservative officials denied Layton's accusations.<ref name=gazetteCo-Opposition/> On March 26, 2011, Duceppe stated that Harper had tried to form a coalition government with the Bloc and NDP in response to Harper's allegations that the Liberals may form a coalition with the Bloc and the NDP.<ref>{{cite news|last=Payton|first=Laura|title=Harper wanted 2004 coalition: Duceppe|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harper-wanted-2004-coalition-duceppe-1.1118390|access-date=March 26, 2011|newspaper=CBC News|date=March 26, 2011}}</ref>
{{seealso|Stephen Harper Leadership Team}}


===2004 federal election=== ===Leader of the Opposition===
The Conservative Party's first policy convention was held from March 17 to 19, 2005, in ]. Harper had been rumoured to be shifting his ideology closer to that of a ], and many thought he'd wanted to move the party's policies closer to the centre. Any opposition to abortion or bilingualism was dropped from the Conservative platform. Harper received an 84% endorsement from delegates in the ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 14, 2012|title=Looking Down From Canada: The Most Important Leader in the Free World: Stephen Harper|url=https://www.ottawalife.com/article/looking-down-from-canada-the-most-important-leader-in-the-free-world-stephen-harper}}</ref>
Harper led the Conservatives during the ], where it was widely believed he had a chance to defeat Liberal Prime Minister ]. After an immensely damaging release by ] ] regarding the ] of the 1990s, and voter anger in Ontario against Liberal Premier ] for breaking a promise not to raise taxes, polls showed the Conservatives in a dead heat with the Liberals.


Despite the party abandoning debate over the two controversial issues, they began a concerted drive against same-sex marriage. Harper was criticized by a group of law professors for arguing that the government could override the provincial court rulings on same-sex marriage without using the "]", a provision of the '']''.<ref name="gm011905">{{cite news |title=Tories to launch anti-gay marriage ads |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/tories-to-launch-anti-gay-marriage-ads/article1113195/ |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=January 19, 2005}}</ref> He also argued, in general, for lower taxes, an elected ], a tougher stance on crime, and closer relations with the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sarro|first=Douglas|date=2013|title=Breaking the Bargain: A Comment on the Constitutional Validity of Bill C-7, the Proposed Senate Reform Act|url=https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1254&context=clpe}}</ref>
Late in the campaign, the Conservatives began to attract negative attention for controversial remarks made by MPs and candidates regarding ], ] and ]. Additionally, the Liberal Party began airing controversial TV ]s suggesting that the Conservatives would make Canada more like the United States. Harper was also criticized for his position supporting the American-led ]. The term "hidden agenda", used commonly in the 2000 election to refer to Stockwell Day, began surfacing with increasing regularity with regard to Harper's history of supporting privatized health care. Further damaging the Conservative campaign was a press release from Conservative headquarters that said that Paul Martin supported ]. The momentum began to swing against his party, although some polls suggested it was neck and neck right up until election day.


Following the April 2005 release of ]'s damaging testimony at the ], implicating the Liberals in the scandal, opinion polls placed the Conservatives ahead of Liberals.<ref name="sink42505">{{cite news |last1=Geddes |first1=John |title=The Incredible Sinking Prime Minister |url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2005/4/25/the-incredible-sinking-prime-minister |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=Maclean's |date=April 25, 2005 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026224443/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2005/4/25/the-incredible-sinking-prime-minister }}</ref> The Conservatives had earlier abstained from the vote on the ] to avoid forcing an election.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Palmer|first=Randall|date=March 13, 2008|title=Canadians don't want election now, opposition says|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/canada-confidence-can-col-idCAN1331774120080313|access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref> With the collapse in Liberal support and a controversial NDP amendment to the budget, the party exerted significant pressure on Harper to bring down the government.<ref name="cbc062405">{{cite news |title=Commons amends budget in surprise midnight vote |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/commons-amends-budget-in-surprise-midnight-vote-1.558125 |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=CBC News |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=June 24, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=June 1, 2011|first=Tom|last=Flanagan |title=The emerging Conservative coalition|url=https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/the-winner/the-emerging-conservative-coalition/|access-date=April 13, 2021|website=Policy Options|language=en}}</ref> In May, Harper announced that Martin's Liberals had lost the "moral authority to govern".<ref name="nyt051105">{{cite news |last1=Krauss |first1=Clifford |title=Canadian Leader Rejects a No-Confidence Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/11/world/americas/canadian-leader-rejects-a-noconfidence-vote.html |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=May 11, 2005}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois united to defeat the government on a vote that some considered to be either a ] or else a motion requiring an immediate test of the confidence of the House.<ref name="dam53005">{{cite news |last1=Bryden |first1=Joan |title=Damaged Goods |url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2005/5/30/damaged-goods |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=Maclean's |date=May 30, 2005 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027145912/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2005/5/30/damaged-goods }}</ref> The Martin government did not accept this interpretation and argued that vote had been on a procedural motion, although they also indicated that they would bring forward their revised budget for a confidence vote the following week. Ultimately, the effort to bring down the Martin government failed following the decision of Conservative MP Belinda Stronach to ] to the Liberal Party. The vote on the NDP amendment to the budget tied, and with the ] voting to continue the debate, the Liberals stayed in power. At the time, some considered the matter to be a ].<ref name=dam53005/><ref name="Heard, Andrew, The Confidence Convention and the May 2005 Vote on the Public Accounts Committee Report">{{cite web|url=https://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/conventions.html|title=The Confidence Convention and the May 2005 Vote on the Public Accounts Committee Report|publisher=Sfu.ca|access-date=April 20, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Bliss, Michael">{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=65646089-29b3-4e73-a227-01b1032257cd|title=National Post, May&nbsp;14, 2005|publisher=Canada.com|access-date=April 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425105414/http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=65646089-29b3-4e73-a227-01b1032257cd|archive-date=April 25, 2011}}</ref>
The Conservative Party was successful in gaining seats in Ontario, where the Reform Party and Canadian Alliance had never been able to make significant gains, but Martin was re-elected with a minority government and 135 seats. The Conservatives finished in second-place with 99 seats. While the Conservatives had improved on the 72 seats they held entering the election, the party took 29.6% of the popular vote, down from the 37.7% combined total of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives in 2000 Harper, after some personal deliberation, decided to stay on as the party leader. Many credited him with bringing the Progressive Conservative Party and Canadian Alliance together to fight a close election in a short time.


Harper was also criticized for supporting his caucus colleague MP ].<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=O'Neil|url=http://www.freedominion.com.pa/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=40089|title=Is he telling the truth? Doubts linger about Gurmant Grewal|location=Ottawa|publisher=Free Dominion|date=May 28, 2005|access-date=February 15, 2009|archive-date=January 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108180705/http://www.freedominion.com.pa/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=40089}}</ref> Grewal had produced tapes of conversations with ], Paul Martin's chief of staff, in which Grewal claimed he had been offered a cabinet position in exchange for his defection.<ref name=cbc053105>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/grewal-releases-secret-tapes-1.546243 |title=Grewal releases secret tapes |date=May 31, 2005 |work=CBC News |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=October 25, 2020}}</ref>
{{seealso|Conservative Party of Canada Campaign Chairs}}


The Liberals' support dropped sharply after the first report from the Gomery Commission was issued, but rebounded soon after.<ref name=flawless6>{{cite journal |publisher=American Political Science Association |title=Flawless Campaign, Fragile Victory: Voting in Canada's 2006 Federal Election |date=October 2006 |last1=Clarke |first1=Harold D. |last2=Kornberg |first2=Allan |last3=Scotto |first3=Thomas |last4=Twyman |first4=Joe|journal=PS: Political Science and Politics |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=815–819 |doi=10.1017/S1049096506060987 |doi-broken-date=November 1, 2024 |jstor=20451824 |s2cid=154724826 |issn = 1049-0965}}</ref> Later that month, Harper introduced a motion of no confidence on the Martin government, telling the House of Commons "that this government has lost the confidence of the House of Commons and needs to be removed". As the Liberals had lost NDP support in the house by refusing to accept an NDP plan to prevent health care privatization, the no-confidence motion was passed by a vote of 171–133. It was the first time that a Canadian government had been toppled by a straight motion of no confidence proposed by the opposition. As a result, Parliament was dissolved and a general election was scheduled for January 23, 2006.<ref name=flawless6/><ref name=jack1255>{{cite news |url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2005/12/5/my-name-is-jack |title=My Name is Jack |date=December 5, 2005 |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=Maclean's |last1=Geddes |first1=John |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027173639/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/2005/12/5/my-name-is-jack }}</ref><ref name=cbc112805>{{cite news |work=CBC News |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 28, 2005 |title=Liberals Lose Confidence of the House |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/liberals-lose-confidence-of-the-house-1.555183 |access-date=October 25, 2020}}</ref>
===Harper as Conservative leader and Leader of the Opposition===
The Conservative Party's first policy convention was held from ]-19, 2005, in Montreal. A more moderate party stance was demonstrated, in accordance with what many viewed as Harper's goal. Any opposition to abortion or bilingualism was dropped from the Conservative platform, though the party was still opposed to same-sex marriage. Harper received an 84% endorsement from delegates in the leadership review.


On February 27, 2008, allegations surfaced that two Conservative Party officials offered terminally ill, independent MP ] a million-dollar life insurance policy in exchange for his vote to bring down the Liberal government in a May 2005, budget vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080227.wcadmann0227/BNStory/National/home |title=Tories tried to sway vote of dying MP, widow alleges |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |access-date=February 27, 2008 |last1=Galloway |first2=Brian |last2=Laghi |first1=Gloria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302105906/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080227.wcadmann0227/BNStory/National/home |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }}</ref> If the story had been proved true, the actions may have been grounds for charges as a criminal offence as under the '']'', it is illegal to bribe an MP.<ref name=cbc-2008-02-27>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/conservatives-made-million-dollar-offer-to-mp-cadman-book-1.752439|title=Conservatives made million-dollar offer to MP Cadman: book|publisher=CBC News|date=February 27, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref>
The party soon began a controversial fight against ]. Harper was criticized by a group of law professors for arguing that the government could not over-ride the provincial court rulings without using the "]", a provision of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Harper and constitutional lawyer/Conservative Justice Critic ] suggest that this clause does not have to be used to enshrine the traditional definition of marriage.


When asked by Vancouver journalist Tom Zytaruk about the alleged life insurance offer then-opposition leader Stephen Harper states on an audio tape "I don't know the details. I know there were discussions"<ref name=investigate1>{{cite web|title=Liberals to RCMP: Investigate Tory bribe claims|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/liberals-to-rcmp-investigate-tory-bribe-claims-1.279487|publisher=CTV|date=February 28, 2008|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref> and goes on to say "The offer to Chuck was that it was only to replace financial considerations he might lose due to an election".<ref name=investigate1/> Harper also stated that he had told the Conservative Party representatives that they were unlikely to succeed. "I told them they were wasting their time. I said Chuck had made up his mind."<ref name=investigate1/><ref name=articlenews1>{{cite news|title=PM files libel suit, Dion refuses to apologize|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/pm-files-libel-suit-dion-refuses-to-apologize-1.282511|publisher=]|date=March 13, 2008|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref> In February 2008, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigated the allegations that Section 119's provisions on bribery and corruption in the ''Criminal Code'' had been violated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sympatico.msn.ca/Harper+heard+on+tape+discussing+financial+inducements+for+late+MP/National/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=64918030&feedname=CP-NATIONAL&show=True&number=5&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True |title=Harper heard on tape discussing financial inducements for late MP |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=February 28, 2008 |last=Panetta |first=Alexander |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317003523/http://news.sympatico.msn.ca/Harper%2Bheard%2Bon%2Btape%2Bdiscussing%2Bfinancial%2Binducements%2Bfor%2Blate%2BMP/National/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=64918030&feedname=CP-NATIONAL&show=True&number=5&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True |archive-date=March 17, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www3.thestar.com/static/PDF/080228_leblanc_letter.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324195038/http://www3.thestar.com/static/PDF/080228_leblanc_letter.pdf |archive-date=March 24, 2009 |title=Letter requesting investigation to RCMP Commissioner William Elliot |newspaper=The Toronto Star |access-date=March 1, 2008 |last=Leblanc |first=Dominic }}</ref> The RCMP concluded their investigation stating that there was no evidence for pressing charges.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/no-charges-to-be-laid-in-cadman-affair-rcmp-1.710397|title=No charges to be laid in Cadman affair: RCMP|publisher=CBC|date=May 16, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref>
Following the April 2005 release of ]'s damaging testimony at the ], implicating the Liberals in the scandal, opinion polls placed the Conservatives ahead of Liberals. The Conservatives had earlier abstained from the vote on the ] to avoid forcing an election. With the collapse in Liberal support and a controversial NDP amendment to the budget, the party exerted significant pressure on Harper to bring down the government. In May, Harper announced that the government had lost the "moral authority to govern", with the support of the '']''. The effort failed following the decision of Conservative MP ] to ] to the Liberal Party. The vote on the NDP amendment to the budget tied, and with the ] voting to continue debate, the Liberals stayed in power.


Harper denied any wrongdoing and subsequently filed a civil ] suit against the Liberal Party. Because libel laws do not apply to statements made in Parliament, the basis of the lawsuit was that statements made by Liberal Party members outside the House of Commons and in articles which appeared on the Liberal Party web site made accusations that Harper had committed a criminal act.<ref name=articlenews1/><ref>{{cite news|title=Canada PM sues opposition for libel |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hAikrxtRRwV2q1-T8iS9LAvWpFxw |agency=] |date=March 13, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520125758/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hAikrxtRRwV2q1-T8iS9LAvWpFxw |archive-date=May 20, 2011 }}</ref>
Harper was also criticized for supporting his caucus colleague MP ]. Grewal had produced tapes of conversations with ], Paul Martin's chief of staff, in which Grewal claimed he had been offered a cabinet position in exchange for his defection. Some experts analyzed the tapes and concluded that a digital copy of the tapes had been edited.


The audio expert hired by Harper to prove that the tape containing the evidence was doctored reported that the latter part of the tape was recorded over, but the tape was unaltered where Harper's voice said "I don't know the details, I know that, um, there were discussions, um, but this is not for publication?" and goes on to say he "didn't know the details" when asked if he knew anything about the alleged offer to Cadman.<ref name=cbctape>{{cite news|agency=The Canadian Press|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/audio-expert-says-cadman-tape-not-altered-1.700925|title=Audio expert says Cadman tape not altered|publisher=cbc.ca|date=October 10, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref>
On ], ], Harper introduced a ] on the Liberal government. As the Liberals had lost ] support in the house by refusing to accept an NDP plan to prevent health care privatization, the no confidence motion was passed by a vote of 171-133. As a result, Parliament was dissolved and a general election was scheduled for ], 2006.


==2006 federal election== ===2006 federal election===
{{main|2006 Canadian federal election}}
] after winning the ].]]
] after the ] won the ].]]
{{main|Canadian federal election, 2006}}
The Conservatives began the campaign period with a policy-per-day strategy, contrary to the Liberal plan of holding off major announcements until after the Christmas holidays, so Harper dominated media coverage for the first weeks of the election. Though his party showed only modest movement in the polls, Harper's personal numbers, which had always significantly trailed those of his party, began to rise. In response, the Liberals launched ], similar to their attacks in the 2004 election. However, their tactics were not sufficient to erode the Conservative's advantage, although they did manage to close what had been a ten-point advantage in public opinion. As Harper's personal numbers rose, polls found he was now considered not only more trustworthy, but a better choice for prime minister than Martin.<ref>{{cite news|author=CTV.ca News Staff|title=Harper seen as most trusted leader, poll finds|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060111/ELXN_poll_060111/20060111?s_name=election2006&no_ads=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212082550/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060111/ELXN_poll_060111/20060111?s_name=election2006&no_ads=|archive-date=February 12, 2006|work=CTV.ca|date=January 11, 2005|access-date=September 21, 2006}}</ref>
Harper started off the first month of the campaign with a policy-per-day strategy, which included a GST reduction and a child-care allowance. The Liberals opted to hold any major announcements until after the Christmas holidays; as a result, Harper dominated media coverage for the first weeks of the campaign and was able to define his platform and insulate it from expected Liberal attacks. Though his party showed only modest movement in the polls, Harper's personal numbers, which had always trailed his party's significantly, began to rise.


On ], ], the ] announced it was investigating allegations that Liberal ] ]'s office had engaged in ] before making an important announcement on the taxation of ]s. The income trust scandal dominated news coverage for the following week and prevented the Liberals from making their key policy announcements, allowing Harper to refocus his previous attacks about corruption within the Liberal party. The Conservatives soon found themselves leading in the polls. By early January, they made a major breakthrough in Quebec, pushing the Liberals to second place. Immediately prior to the Christmas break, in a faxed letter to NDP candidate ], ] ] announced the RCMP had opened a criminal investigation into her complaint that it appeared Liberal Finance Minister ]'s office had leaked information leading to ] before making an important announcement on the taxation of ]s. On December 27, 2005, the RCMP confirmed that information in a press release. At the conclusion of the investigation, Serge Nadeau, a top civil servant in the ], was charged with criminal breach of trust. No charges were laid against Goodale.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/personalfinance/incometrust-probe-faqs.html|title=The Income Trusts Probe: FAQs|publisher=CBC.ca|date=February 15, 2007|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref>


The election gave Harper's Conservatives the largest number of seats in the House, although not enough for a majority government, and shortly after midnight on January 24, Martin conceded defeat. Later that day, Martin informed Governor General ] that he would resign as prime minister, and at 6:45&nbsp;p.m. Jean asked Harper to form a government. Harper was sworn in as Canada's 22nd prime minister on February 6, 2006.
In response to the growing Conservative lead, the Liberals launched ], similar to their attacks in the 2004 election. However, their tactics had little effect this time since the Conservatives had much more momentum and had opened up a ten point advantage. Harper's personal numbers had risen considerably and polls found he was now considered not only more trustworthy, but he would also make a better Prime Minister than Martin. As their lead solidified, ] of the Conservatives was much more positive, while Liberals found themselves increasingly criticized for running a poor campaign and making numerous gaffes.<ref></ref>


In his first address to Parliament as prime minister, Harper opened by paying tribute to the ], ], and her "lifelong dedication to duty and self-sacrifice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Pub=Hansard&Mee=3&Language=e&Parl=39&Ses=1 |title=39th Parliament, First Session, Edited Hansard, No. 003, Wednesday, April&nbsp;5, 2006 |publisher=Parl.gc.ca |access-date=January 30, 2011}}</ref> He also said before the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce that Canada and the United Kingdom were joined by "the golden circle of ], which links us all together with the majestic past that takes us back to the ], the Plantagenets, the ], '']'', petition of rights, and English ]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1168 |title=Prime Minister Harper introduces Australian counterpart to Parliament |publisher=Pm.gc.ca |access-date=April 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329125220/http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1168 |archive-date=March 29, 2010 }}</ref> Journalist Graham Fraser said in the '']'' that Harper's speech was "one of the most monarchist speeches a Canadian prime minister has given since ]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1155937810919&call_pageid=968332188774&col=Columnist969907621570|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929121000/http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar%2FLayout%2FArticle_Type1&c=Article&cid=1155937810919&call_pageid=968332188774&col=Columnist969907621570|archive-date=September 29, 2007|last=Fraser|first=Graham|work=Toronto Star|title=PM shucks Reform roots for a royal connection|date=August 19, 2006|access-date=April 20, 2010}}</ref> An analysis by ] suggested that a political realignment might be underway, based on the continuance of Harper's government.<ref>Michael D. Behiels, "Stephen Harper's Rise to Power: Will His 'New' Conservative Party Become Canada's 'Natural Governing Party' of the Twenty-First Century?", ''American Review of Canadian Studies'' Vol. 40, No. 1, March 2010, pp. 118–145</ref>
On ], the Conservatives won 124 seats against 103 for the Liberals. Martin conceded defeat at midnight on ], and at 9:45 a.m. that morning, announced his intention to resign as Prime Minister. At 6:45 p.m., ] ] asked Harper to form a government. He was sworn in as Canada's 22nd Prime Minister on ], ]. Harper is the first Prime Minister elected to office not representing a Quebec riding since ] in 1979.


After the election, the Conservative party were charged with improper election spending, in a case that became known as the ]. It dragged on for years, but in 2012 they took a plea deal, admitting both improper spending and falsifying records to hide it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Payton|first=Laura|date=November 10, 2011|title=Conservative Party fined for breaking election laws|work=]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-party-fined-for-breaking-election-laws-1.1076877|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref>
==Prime Minister==


==Prime Minister of Canada (2006–2015)==
===Cabinet===
{{Conservatism in Canada|Politicians}}
Although the majority of Conservative seats were from the Western provinces, Harper selected the majority of his Ministers from Ontario and Quebec in the interests of regional balance. The new Conservative cabinet was substantially smaller than the prior Martin administration because it did away with junior ministers (known as Ministers of State and previously Secretaries of State). Several pundits in the media have described Harper's cabinet as moderate, and a tempering of the Conservative Party's roots in the Canadian Alliance and Reform.
{{main|Premiership of Stephen Harper}}
In July 2019, a group of independent academics published an assessment of past prime ministers of Canada based on the number of campaign pledges and promises fulfilled. According to the study, the Harper government fulfilled 85 per cent of its pledges (including partially-completed pledges). When factoring only completed, realized pledges, the Harper's government, in their last year, kept 77 per cent of promises. The study found that the governments led by Harper, in addition to the government led by his successor, ], had the highest rates of follow-through for campaign promises of any Canadian government in the last 35 years.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Birch|editor1-first=Lisa|editor2-last=Pétry|editor2-first=François|title=Assessing Justin Trudeau's Liberal Government. 353 promises and a mandate for change |date=July 2019 |publisher=Presses de l'Université Laval |location=Quebec City |isbn=978-2-7637-4443-8 |page=262 |edition=first |url=https://www.pulaval.com/produit/assessing-justin-trudeau-s-liberal-government |access-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013172816/https://www.pulaval.com/produit/assessing-justin-trudeau-s-liberal-government }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blatchford |first1=Andy |title=New book examines Trudeau government's record of living up to pledges |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-book-examines-trudeau-governments-record-of-living-up-to-pledges/ |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref>


===Elections===
Two of Harper's selections generated some controversy. He chose outgoing Liberal ] ] as ] and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the ], and ], a senior Conservative Party operative and campaign strategist, as ] and he was also appointed to the ]. Emerson had been re-elected to parliament as a Liberal only weeks earlier, while Fortier did not contest the previous election at all. Harper argued that the appointments were necessary to provide two of Canada's largest cities (] and ]) with cabinet representation, as the Conservatives did not win seats in these cities. Critics countered that no such concessions were made for Canada's largest city, ], where the conservatives also failed to win a seat, but proponents of the Prime Minister contest that MP and Finance Minister ] representing the nearby city of ] will represent Torontonians in cabinet.
====2008 federal election====
{{main|2008 Canadian federal election}}
On October 14, 2008, after a 5-week-long campaign, the Conservatives increased their seat count in Parliament to 143, up from 127 at the dissolution of the previous Parliament; however, the actual popular vote among Canadians dropped slightly by 167,494 votes. As a result of the lowest ] in Canadian electoral history, this represented only 22% of eligible Canadian voters, the lowest level of support of any winning party in Canadian history.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.macleans.ca/2009/08/28/governing-with-consent|magazine=Maclean's|date=August 28, 2009|title=Governing with consent|access-date=January 30, 2011}}</ref> Meanwhile, the number of opposition Liberal MPs fell from 95 to 77 seats. 155 MPs are required to form a majority government in Canada's 308-seat parliament, relegating Harper to minority government once again.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fox|first=Graham|date=November 2009|title=MAKING MINORITY GOVERNMENT WORK|url=http://irpp.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/po/health-care/fox.pdf|access-date=May 31, 2021|page=64}}</ref>


====2008 parliamentary dispute and prorogation====
Opposition politicians and other critics attacked the appointment of Emerson as hypocritical as several members of the Conservative Party had criticized former Conservative MP ] for crossing the floor to the Liberals and receiving a Cabinet appointment in 2005 shortly before a critical budgetary vote that amounted to a confidence motion for the then-ruling Liberal party. Emerson's decision was also met with opposition in his riding, where the Conservative candidate had received less than 20% of the vote in the previous campaign, although Emerson himself was re-elected by a large margin over the NDP runner-up. The Harper government defended Emerson's appointment as tapping a politician with previous federal cabinet experience. Emerson himself suggested that it would help the Conservatives move to the middle of the political spectrum.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jim | last=McCrae | url=http://www.brandonsun.com/story.php?story_id=18921 | title=Tories left with lots of lemons to squeeze | publisher=Brandon Sun | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref>
{{main|2008–2009 Canadian parliamentary dispute}}
On December 4, 2008, Harper asked Governor General Michaëlle Jean to ] Parliament to avoid a vote of confidence scheduled for the following Monday, becoming the first Canadian prime minister to do so.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=f38b74ff-43a0-4a67-b419-020a95933dd4|title=Harper running away from Parliament|newspaper=The Province|access-date=December 5, 2008|date=December 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215010951/http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=f38b74ff-43a0-4a67-b419-020a95933dd4|archive-date=February 15, 2012}}</ref> The request was granted by Jean, and the prorogation lasted until January 26, 2009. The opposition coalition dissolved shortly after, with the Conservatives winning a Liberal supported confidence vote on January 29, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canadian Federal Election of 2011|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Canadian-Federal-Election-of-2011|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>


====2010 prorogation====
Harper's appointment of Fortier was also controversial, as the Conservatives had previously criticized the ] as an unelected body. Both Harper and Fortier have stated that the Senate appointment is temporary, and that Fortier will vacate his position at the next federal election to run for a seat in the House of Commons.
{{see also|2010 Canada anti-prorogation protests|Prorogation in Canada}}
] ] at ] Heads of State Reception.]]


On December 30, 2009, Harper announced that he would request the governor general to prorogue Parliament again, effective immediately on December 30, 2009, during the 2010 Winter Olympics and lasting until March 3, 2010. Harper stated that this was necessary for Canada's economic plan. Jean granted the request. In an interview with ], ] Liberal MP ] accused the prime minister of "shutting democracy down".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news2/pointofview/2009/12/parliament-prorogued-neccessary-move-or-an-insult-to-democracy.html|title=Parliament prorogued: Necessary move or undemocratic?|date=December 30, 2009|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pm-shutting-democracy-down-says-easter-1.829799|title=PM 'shutting democracy down', says Easter|date=December 31, 2009|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref> Tom Flanagan, Harper's University of Calgary mentor and former chief of staff, also questioned Harper's reasoning for prorogation, stating that "I think the government's talking points haven't been entirely credible" and that the government's explanation of proroguing was "skirting the real issue—which is the harm the opposition parties are trying to do to the Canadian Forces" regarding the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/gov-t-not-credible-on-proroguing-ex-harper-advisor-1.472953|title=Gov't not 'credible' on proroguing: ex-Harper advisor|publisher=CTV News|date=January 12, 2010|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref> Small demonstrations took place on January 23 in 64 Canadian cities and towns and five cities in other countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/746068|title=Grassroots fury greets shuttered Parliament|last=Delacourt|first=Susan|author2=Richard J. Brennan |date=January 5, 2010|access-date=January 20, 2010|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> A ] protest group attracted over 20,000 members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/thousands-protest-parliament-s-suspension-1.866970|title=Thousands protest Parliament's suspension|date=January 23, 2010|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=January 24, 2010}}</ref>
Other choices were met with greater support. Toronto mayor ] has called Harper's selection of ] to cabinet as a "very positive step" and "a signal Mr. Harper's serious about reaching out to cities".<ref>{{cite news | first=Anne | last=Mroczkowski | url=http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20060206-006/page.asp | title=Positive Start | publisher=CityNews | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref> Harper appointed ] as an elected MP to represent the city along with the ] (GTA). Flaherty represents the riding of ], in the ] of the eastern GTA, and his selection as ] was viewed positively by the ] business community.<ref>{{cite news | first=
Paul | last=Vieira | url=http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2574& | title=Bay Street likes economic ministers | publisher=National Post | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref>


A poll released by ] on January 7, found that 53 per cent of respondents were opposed to the prorogation, while 19 per cent supported it. 38 per cent believed Harper used the prorogation to curtail the Afghan detainee inquiry, while 23 per cent agreed with Harper's explanation that the prorogation was necessary economically.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prorogation hurtles 'out of dusty law texts into the mainstream'|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/prorogation-has-hit-a-nerve/article1422003|date=January 7, 2010|work=The Globe and Mail|first=Gloria|last=Galloway|access-date=August 22, 2017|archive-date=April 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401003528/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/prorogation-has-hit-a-nerve/article1422003/}}</ref>
On ], ], Ethics Commissioner ] announced that he was launching a preliminary inquiry into conflict-of-interest allegations against Emerson and Harper. Shapiro said that he would look into what influence may have been wielded in the decision by Emerson to cross the floor.<ref>{{cite news | first=CTV.ca News Staff | last= | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060301/emerson_election_060303/20060303?hub=TopStories | title=Harper to be investigated by ethics commissioner | publisher=CTV | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=CBC News | last= | url=http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/03/emerson_060303.html | title=
Harper 'loath' to co-operate with ethics commissioner | publisher=CBC News | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref> Conservatives criticized Shapiro's probe as partisan and accused him of applying a double standard since he was an apointee of the former Liberal government and had turned down earlier requests in 2005 to investigate Stronach's floor-crossing in which she received a cabinet post as well as a questionable land sale by Hamilton area Liberal MP ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | url= | title=It's a political issue, not an ethical one | publisher=Globe and Mail | pages= | page=A22 | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref> Shapiro had also been under fire from former NDP leader ] for "extraordinarily serious credibility problems".<ref>{{cite news | first=Canadian Press | last= | url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1141383321201&call_pageid=968332188492 | title=Ethics czar to probe Emerson defection | publisher=Toronto Star | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref> While agreeing with Harper that Shapiro's investigation was inappropriate, Broadbent and opposition MPs have criticized Harper for overruling the commissioner. Mr Shapiro concluded that a minister crossing the floor to take a cabinet position would only have been inappropriate if said cabinet position was offered to prevent the government from falling on a confidence vote. Emerson's appointment did not fall under those conditions and Shapiro cleared both Harper and Emerson of any wrongdoing on ] ]. Shapiro declined to launch any investigation into Belinda Stronach's floor-crossing.


===Deputy Prime Minister and succession=== ====2011 vote of no confidence====
Harper's Cabinet was defeated in a no-confidence vote on March 25, 2011, after being found in contempt of Parliament. Harper thus, in accordance with constitutional convention, advised the governor general to call a ].<ref>. ''CBC News'', March 25, 2011</ref> This was the first occurrence in ] of a government in the Westminster parliamentary tradition losing the confidence of the ] on the grounds of contempt of parliament. The no-confidence motion was carried with a vote of 156 in favour of the motion and 145 against.<ref>. 40th Parliament, 3rd Session&nbsp;– Edited Hansard, No. 149, March 25, 2011. The motion presented by the Leader of the Opposition was "That the House agree with the finding of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs that the government is in contempt of Parliament, which is unprecedented in Canadian parliamentary history, and consequently, the House has lost confidence in the government."</ref>
Unlike his recent predecessors, Harper did not name one of his colleagues to the largely honorific post of ]. Various observers had expected him to name MacKay, the former leader of the ] and his deputy party leader, or ], as a ], to the post. Harper did, however, name an order of succession to act on his behalf in certain circumstances, starting with Cannon, then ], then the balance of his cabinet in ].


===Policy=== ====2011 federal election====
{{main|2011 Canadian federal election}}
Harper's government has identified five policy priorities, in the areas of federal accountability, tax reform, crime, child care and health care.
On May 2, 2011, after a five-week campaign, Harper led the Conservatives to their third consecutive election victory—the first time a centre-right party has accomplished this in half a century. The Conservatives increased their standing in parliament to 166, up from 143 at the dissolution of the previous parliament. This resulted in the first centre-right majority government since the Progressive Conservatives had won their last majority in 1988. The Conservatives also received a greater number of total votes than in 2008. Notably, the Conservatives had a significant breakthrough in southern Ontario, a region where neither they nor the Reform/Alliance side of the merger had done well in the previous two decades. They managed to win several seats in Toronto itself; no centre-right party had won seats in the former ] since 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yan|first=James|title=The GOP Should Take a Page from Canada's Conservative Party|url=https://natoassociation.ca/the-gop-should-take-a-page-from-canadas-conservative-party/|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=NAOC|language=en-CA|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213406/https://natoassociation.ca/the-gop-should-take-a-page-from-canadas-conservative-party/}}</ref>


The election ended five years of minority governments, made the New Democratic Party the ] for the first time, relegated the Liberals to third place for the first time, brought ] as Canada's first ] Member of Parliament, and reduced the Bloc Québécois from 47 to 4 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 5, 2011|title=Quebec sovereignty movement anything but dead|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/05/05/quebec_sovereignty_movement_anything_but_dead.html|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=thestar.com|language=en}}</ref>
There has been some controversy over the Harper government's plan for child care. The Conservatives have promised to eliminate a federal child care program introduced by the previous Martin government, which provided funding to provincial governments to increase the number of regulated child care spaces and to provide subsidies to low- and middle-income parents. The Conservatives are replacing that program with a $1200 per year stipend for each child under age six, paid directly to parents whether or not they incur child care expenses. Opponents of the Conservative plan argue that the stipend is inadequate and will not address the need for child care spaces, particularly in urban centres. Supporters argue that the Liberal program it replaced was inflexible and discriminated against stay-at-home parents. Harper has stated that his government will work with provincial and local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and employers to create additional spaces, and has set aside $250 million per year to fund these initiatives.


After the election, the Conservatives were accused of cheating in the ], mainly suppressing votes by directing voters to bogus polling stations.<ref name=MaherFeb27>{{cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/215004/elections-canada-investigating-robocalls-that-misled-voters/ |title=Elections Canada investigating 'robocalls' that misled voters |access-date=April 10, 2021 |last1=Maher |first1=Stephen |last2=McGregor |first2=Glen |date=February 27, 2012 |publisher=Global News }}</ref> There were complaints in 247 of Canada's 308 ridings, but only one person was charged; Conservative staffer ] was convicted and jailed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Coorsh|first=Karolyn|date=November 19, 2014|title=Robocalls trial: Michael Sona sentenced to 9 months in jail|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/robocalls-trial-michael-sona-sentenced-to-9-months-in-jail-1.2108744|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=CTVNews|language=en}}</ref>
The Conservative Party campaigned on a platform of reducing Canada's ] from 7% to 6%, and eventually to 5%. During the 2006 election campaign, the Martin government proposed income tax cuts for lower-middle income earners. The Liberals have claimed that the GST cut would effectively result in a tax increase for those in the lower-middle income bracket. The Conservatives argued that the GST cuts would benefit all Canadians, including low-income earners and those outside the workforce who do not pay income tax.


====2015 federal election====
The Harper government has promised to introduce mandatory minimal sentences for serious and violent offenders, and to introduce a "Patient Wait Times Guarantee" in conjunction with the provinces.
{{main|2015 Canadian federal election}}
Under the '']'', a general election had to take place no later than October 19, 2015. On August 2, at Harper's request, Governor General David Johnson dropped the writs of election for October 19. In that election, Harper's Conservative Party was defeated by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, and became the Official Opposition, dropping to only 99 seats out of 338. This was mainly because of a collapse of Conservative support in southern Ontario, a region that swung heavily to them in 2011. They lost all of their seats in Toronto, and won only three seats in the Greater Toronto Area. They were also shut out of Atlantic Canada—the first time in decades that there were no centre-right MPs from that region. Harper was re-elected in Calgary Heritage, essentially a reconfigured version of his former riding.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 25, 2016|title=Former prime minister Stephen Harper will leave federal politics|url=https://www.straight.com/news/704011/former-prime-minister-stephen-harper-will-leave-federal-politics|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=The Georgia Straight|language=en}}</ref>


Hours after conceding defeat on election night, Harper resigned as leader of the Conservative Party and returned to the backbench.<ref>{{cite web|title = Stephen Harper resigns as Conservative leader|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/stephen-harper-resigns-as-conservative-leader-1.2617950|website = CTVNews|date=October 19, 2015 |access-date = October 20, 2015}}</ref> Former Cabinet minister ] was elected interim leader by the Conservative caucus, pending a formal leadership election.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dehaas|first=Josh|date=November 5, 2015|title=Rona Ambrose elected interim Conservative leader|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/rona-ambrose-elected-interim-conservative-leader-1.2643708|access-date=April 1, 2021|website=CTVNews|language=en}}</ref> Harper resigned as prime minister during a meeting with Governor General David Johnston, who accepted the resignation, after which Johnston invited Trudeau to form a government on November 4, 2015.<ref name="thestar.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/10/22/how-justin-trudeau-will-officially-become-prime-minister.html |title=How Justin Trudeau will officially become prime minister &#124; Toronto Star |website=Thestar.com |date=October 22, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> After Andrew Scheer resigned as Conservative leader in 2019, the ''National Post'' criticized Harper, by stating that he "lost in 2015 in a way that left his party struggling to make any sense at all, including on deficits."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/np-view-pick-a-philosophy-first-then-a-leader-conservatives|title=NP View: Pick a philosophy first, then a leader, Conservatives {{!}} National Post|newspaper=National Post |date=December 13, 2019|language=en-CA|access-date=December 13, 2019}}</ref>
In addition to its "Five Priorities", the Harper government has also devoted significant attention to military issues.


====The Federal Accountability Act==== ===Domestic and economic policy===
{{Main|Domestic policy of the Harper government}}
{{main|Federal Accountability Act}}
] in ] to celebrate the discovery of {{HMS|Erebus|1826|6}}, one of two ships wrecked during ]'s lost expedition.]]
On ], 2006, ] ], on behalf of the Harper government, tabled the Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan. The plan will reduce the opportunity to exert influence with money by banning corporate, union, and large personal political donations; five-year lobbying ban on former ministers, their aides, and senior public servants; providing protection for whistleblowers; and enhancing the power for the Auditor General to follow the money spent by the government.


====Constitutional issues====
While the government hopes to have this act passed before the ] breaks for the summer, questions have arisen surrounding elements of the Federal Acountability Act and how it might affect the 2006 Liberal leadership convention. A $1,000 donation limit has been proposed as part of the Federal Accountability Act with political party convention donations being tied to this amount. The Liberal Party of Canada's leadership convention scheduled for December of 2006 contains a $995 convention fee, which under the proposed Accountability Act could prevent convention delegates from donating anything beyond their convention fee or prevent the delegate's presence at the convention should their convention fee in conjunction with any donations prior to the convention put them above the donation limit. Some of the Senate majority-holding Liberal Senators have threatened to stall the Federal Accountability Act in the upper chamber until after December because of the effect the proposed donation limits may have on political party conventions.
After sidestepping the political landmine for most of the first year of his time as prime minister, much as all the post-Charlottetown Accord prime ministers had done, Harper's hand was forced to reopen the ] debate after the opposition Bloc Québécois were to introduce a motion in the House that called for recognition of Quebec as a "nation". On November 22, 2006, Harper introduced ] to recognize that "the ] form a nation within a united Canada."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/quebecers-form-a-nation-within-canada-pm-1.624141|author=CBC News|title=Quebecers form a nation within Canada: PM|date=November 22, 2006|publisher=CBC.ca|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref> Five days later, Harper's motion passed, with a margin of 266–16; all federalist parties, and the Bloc Québécois, supported it.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Québécois motion passes, 266–16 |date=November 27, 2006 |url=https://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1164625146991&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095936/http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar%2FLayout%2FArticle_Type1&c=Article&cid=1164625146991&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |author=Canadian Press |work=Toronto Star |access-date=December 6, 2006 }}</ref>


In 2004, Harper said "the Upper House remains a dumping ground for the favoured cronies of the prime minister".<ref name=senatestar>{{cite news|title=Harper appoints 9 to Senate|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/687216|work=]|date=August 27, 2009|first=Richard J.|last=Brennan}}</ref> Between 2006 and 2008, by which time Harper was prime minister, he did not put any names to the governor general for appointment to the Senate, resulting in 16 Senate vacancies by the October 2008 election.<ref name=theglobeandmail1>{{cite news|author=Steven Chase|title=Harper targets Senate reform|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081015.welxnharper1015/BNStory/politics/home?cid=al_gam_mostview|work=The Globe and Mail|date=October 15, 2008|access-date=October 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016051105/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081015.welxnharper1015/BNStory/politics/home?cid=al_gam_mostview|archive-date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> The one exception was ]. When Harper took office, he advised the governor general to appoint Michael Fortier to both the Senate and the ], arguing the government needed ] from the city of Montreal.<ref> . ]. February 7, 2006.</ref> Although there is a precedent for this action in Canadian history, the appointment led to criticism from opponents who claimed Harper was reneging on his push for an elected Senate. In 2008, Fortier gave up his Senate seat and sought election as an MP, but was defeated by a large margin by the incumbent Bloc Québécois MP.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Canadian Press|title=Michael Fortier gets trounced by Bloc incumbent in Montreal-area riding|url=http://www.pentictonherald.ca/includes/datafiles/CP_print.php?id=140875&title=Michael%20Fortier%20gets%20trounced%20by%20Bloc%20incumbent%20in%20Montreal-area%20riding|work=]|location=Kelowna, BC|date=October 14, 2008|access-date=March 28, 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
===Relations with the United States===
], Mexico's President ] and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, right, stand in front of the ] Archaeological Ruins Thursday, ] ].]]
Shortly after being congratulated by ] for his victory, Harper rebuked U.S. ] to Canada ] for criticizing the Conservatives' plans to assert Canada's sovereignty over the ] waters with armed forces.


After the October 2008, election, Harper again named Senate reform as a priority.<ref name=theglobeandmail1 /> By December, he recommended the appointment of 18 senators and, in 2009, provided an additional nine people for appointment as senators. Many of those appointed had close ties with the Conservative Party, including the campaign manager of the Conservative Party, ]. Critics accused Harper of hypocrisy (the Liberals coined the term "Harpocrisy"). Conservative senator Bert Brown defended Harper's appointments and said "the only way 's ever been filled is by having people that are loyal to the prime minister who's appointing them".<ref name=senatestar/>
On ] ], Harper named former Progressive Conservative Party cabinet minister ] to the post of Canada's ambassador to the United States, replacing Liberal appointee ].<ref name="ctv wilson">{{cite news | first=CTV.ca News Staff | last= | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060216/wilson_ambassador_confirm_060216?s_name=&no_ads= | title=New envoy Wilson sets softwood as top priority | publisher=CTV | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref>


====Economic management====
Wilson stated in his first press conference as ambassador that "Softwood lumber is clearly at the top of the heap, the top priority."<ref name="ctv wilson">{{cite news | first=CTV.ca News Staff | last= | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060216/wilson_ambassador_confirm_060216?s_name=&no_ads= | title=New envoy Wilson sets softwood as top priority | publisher=CTV | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref>
] at the congress centre in Davos, Switzerland, January 26, 2012.]]


During Harper's tenure, Canada had budgetary surpluses in ] and ] of $13.8 and $9.6 billion respectively. Following the ], Canada ran deficits from ]–]. The deficit was $55.6 billion in ] and was gradually lowered to $5.2 billion in 2013. Harper cut both the GST and corporate taxes aggressively. In ], the federal budget was balanced with a surplus of $1.9 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/canada-deficit/index.html|title=Canada's deficits and surpluses, 1963-2014|publisher=CBC|date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> For ], the federal government initially projected a $1.4-billion surplus. Following Harper's defeat in the ] and the change in party control, the 2015 fiscal year ended in a $1 billion deficit instead.<ref name="cbc.ca">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/federal-government-deficit-1.3795821|title=Federal government ran $1B deficit for last fiscal year|publisher=CBC|date=October 7, 2016}}</ref> In 2010, Canada had the lowest ] in the G7 economies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/taxes/debt-to-gdp-ratio-shows-canada-s-strength-1.954797|title=Debt-to-GDP ratio shows Canada's strength|date=February 24, 2010 |access-date=June 4, 2011 |work=CBC News}}</ref> ''The Economist'' magazine stated that Canada had come out the recession stronger than any other rich country in the G7.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/16059938|title=The least-bad rich-world economy: The charms of Canada&nbsp;– Good policies, good behaviour and good fortune: if only others could be as lucky |date=May 6, 2010 |access-date=June 4, 2011 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/16060113|title=Canada's resilient economy: The Goldilocks recovery |date=May 6, 2010 |access-date=June 4, 2011 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> In 2013, Canada came out with ] to generate employment opportunities for Canadians.<ref name=GMAP>{{cite web|url=http://actionplan.gc.ca/en/initiative/global-market-action-plan|title= Global Market Action Plan|access-date= April 19, 2015|work= Canada's Economic Action Plan|archive-date= March 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322123806/http://actionplan.gc.ca/en/initiative/global-market-action-plan}}</ref><ref name=TNFAVSF>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-new-foreign-affairs-vision-shifts-focus-to-economic-diplomacy/article15624653|title=Tories' new foreign-affairs vision shifts focus to 'economic diplomacy'|access-date=April 19, 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|date=November 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name=TIMFPTT>{{cite web|url=http://opencanada.org/features/blogs/roundtable/there-is-more-to-foreign-policy-than-trade |title=There Is More to Foreign Policy Than Trade |access-date=April 19, 2015 |work=Canadian International Council |date=November 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511014524/http://opencanada.org/features/blogs/roundtable/there-is-more-to-foreign-policy-than-trade/ |archive-date=May 11, 2015 }}</ref>
Harper's first meeting with the U.S. President occurred at the end of March 2006, and while little was achieved in the way of solid agreements, the trip was described in the media as signalling a trend of closer relations between the two nations. Harper told the press that he used "colourful language not suitable for public television" when pressing President Bush privately over his opposition to a U.S. law that will require Canadian citizens to show their passport when crossing the border into the United States. Bush reported that Harper was "a very open, straightforward fella.... If he's got a problem, he's willing to express it in a way that's clear for all to understand, and that's the way I like to deal with people."<ref>{{cite news | first=CTV.ca News Staff | last= |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060331/harper_mexico_summit_060331/20060401?hub=TopStories | title=Harper concerned with U.S. passport-type policy | publisher=CTV | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref>


====2011 Census====
On ] ], Harper announced in Parliament that his government had reached a seven-year agreement with the United States in the nations' long-standing feud over softwood lumber. The three major softwood-producing provinces &mdash; British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec &mdash; accepted the deal,<ref></ref> as did the Canadian lumber industry. However, Leader of the Opposition ] and NDP leader ] both criticised the deal for not requiring the U.S. to pay back all $5 billion it had collected in tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, despite the media pointing out the deal was the same deal the Liberals were close to signing before the 2006 election campaign.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/04/27/softwood060427.html</ref>
Ahead of the ], the government announced that the long-form questionnaire (which collects detailed demographic information) will no longer be mandatory. According to ] Tony Clement, the change was made because of privacy-related complaints and after consulting with ].<ref name=":1"/> However, the federal ] reported only receiving three complaints between 1995 and 2010, according to a report in the ''Toronto Sun''.<ref name=":2"/>


], the ]—appointed on Harper's advice—resigned on July 21, 2010, in protest of the government's change in policy.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 27, 2011|title=A tale called Contempt: Ignatieff looks to spin master narrative to unseat Harper|work=Ottawa Citizen|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/story_print.html?id=4511788&sponsor=|access-date=April 28, 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/StatsCan+boss+reflecting+after+census+mess/3305387/story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018053756/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/StatsCan+boss+reflecting+after+census+mess/3305387/story.html|archive-date=October 18, 2012|title=StatsCan boss quits over census changes|work=Vancouver Sun|last=Proudfoot|first=Shannon|date=July 21, 2010|access-date=July 21, 2010}}</ref> ], a former chief statistician, criticized the government's decision, saying that those who are most vulnerable (such as the poor, new immigrants, and aboriginals) are least likely to respond to a voluntary form, which weakens information about their demographic.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canadaeast.com/rss/article/1116971|title=Former StatsCan head slams census decision by Tories|publisher=The Canadian Press|last=Ditchburn|first=Jennifer|date=July 1, 2010|access-date=October 20, 2010}}</ref>
Following a debate and vote in the House of Commons, the Harper government renewed the NORAD agreement with the United States making it permanent and adding maritime defence to the agreement, which previously covered only air defence. Members of the NDP who were highly critical of the agreement argued that the arrangement will reduce Canadian sovereignty over the country's internal waters.


The move was opposed by some governmental and non-governmental organizations.<ref>
===First overseas trip===
On July 19, 2010, representatives from several following institutions signed expressing their disapproval of the change:
On ] and ], 2006, Harper made a surprise trip to ], where Canadian Forces personnel have been deployed since late 2001, to visit troops in theatre as a show of support for their efforts and a demonstration of his government's commitment to reconstruction and stability in the region. Harper's choice of a first foreign visit was closely guarded from the press until his arrival in Afghanistan (citing security concerns), and is seen as marking a significant change in relationship between the government and the military. While other foreign leaders have visited Afghanistan, Harper's trip was touted as unprecedented in its length and scope.<ref></ref> While the PM, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Minister have visited the region, Governor General Michaëlle Jean has twice been refused the opportunity to go.


* ]
===2006 Budget===
* ]
The first federal budget of the newly elected Conservative government was brought forth on ] ] by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. It was met with dissent by the Liberal and NDP parties and mostly positive reception from the Bloc. The Liberals and NDP voiced disapproval over the Conservatives following through on their election promise to replace the Liberals child care policy with their own as well as for replacing Canada's $4 Billion environmental policy with a $2 Billion "made In Canada" plan of their design. The budget was met with widespread support amongst the business community and polling indicated that a clear majority of Canadians approved with the budget.
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* The ] and ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]</ref> ]; the ];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/article/834321--siddiqui-gutting-of-census-stirs-opposition-to-stephen-harper|title=Siddiqui: Gutting of census stirs opposition to Stephen Harper|location=Toronto|work=The Star|date=July 10, 2010}}</ref> ]; ];<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ditching-census-upsets-faith-groups-1.931805|title=Ditching census upsets faith groups|publisher= ]|date=July 16, 2010|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref> ];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/bishops-castigate-clement-on-census-change/article1657511 |title=Bishops castigate Clement on census change |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |last=Perreaux |first=Les |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003100708/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/bishops-castigate-clement-on-census-change/article1657511/ |archive-date=October 3, 2010 }}</ref> ];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/census/article/836240--axing-long-form-census-threatens-health-care-improvements-doctors-warn|title=Axing long form census threatens health-care improvements, doctors warn|last=Campion-Smith|first=Bruce|work=]|date=July 15, 2010}}</ref> ]; the ];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/dont-mess-with-census-statisticians-tell-tories/article1386901/|title=Don't mess with census, statisticians tell Tories|last=Thorne|first=Stephen|access-date=April 10, 2021|work= The Globe and Mail}}</ref> and ] all opposed the change. However, the ] supported the change.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/07/29/WhyAttackCensus|title=Why Attack the Long Census?|date=July 27, 2010|first=Donald|last=Gutstein|magazine=]|access-date=August 11, 2010}}</ref> The provincial governments of ], ], ], ], and ], also opposed the change.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/Census+consensus+eludes+premiers+Several+scold+Harper/3369649/story.html|title=Census consensus eludes premiers: Several scold Harper|work=Montreal Gazette|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035719/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Census%20consensus%20eludes%20premiers%20Several%20scold%20Harper/3369649/story.html}}</ref>


====Veterans====
While it initially appeared that the only way the Conservative's budget would pass would be with the support of the Bloc, the budget passed third reading without dissent on ] ] when the members of the Opposition accidentally failed to stand after the Deputy Speaker of the House called for debate. Because there were no speakers for the Opposition, the budget was declared passed with unanimous support and no recorded vote and thus forwarded to the Senate for approval. This marked the first time in Canadian Parliamentary history where a government's budget passed unanimously on the third and final reading.
Under Harper, the annual budget of ] increased from $2.85 billion in 2005–2006 to $3.55 billion in 2014–2015, while the quantity of veterans served has declined from 219,152 in 2008–2009 to 199,154 in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|author = Veterans Affairs Canada|title = Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC) budget has increased as the number of veterans has declined|publisher = Veterans Affairs Canada|url=http://www.veterans.gc.ca/pdf/info-graphics/budget-increase.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author = Veterans Affairs Canada|title = 90% of VAC budget goes to services|publisher = Veterans Affairs Canada|url=http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/news/info-graphics/expenditures}}</ref> Nine Veterans Affairs offices were closed between 2012 and 2015, and 900 positions were phased out from the department since 2009. Former-] ] stated that the closures were made to modernize the department, by moving services online and to ] locations.<ref name="Closing VA offices">{{cite web |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/9-ridings-where-anger-over-veterans-affairs-could-hurt-the-conservatives-1.2530799 | title=9 ridings where anger over Veterans Affairs could hurt the Conservatives | publisher=] | date=August 24, 2015 | access-date=October 18, 2015 | author=Zilio, Michelle}}</ref> In 2006, Harper implemented the New Veterans Charter passed with all party support by the previous Liberal government.<ref name="Veterans spending Globe">{{cite web|url=http://politics.theglobeandmail.com/2015/09/14/ask-the-globe-has-harper-really-increased-spending-on-veterans/|title=Ask The Globe: Has Harper really increased spending on veterans?|date=September 14, 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=October 18, 2015|archive-date=January 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105093205/http://politics.theglobeandmail.com/2015/09/14/ask-the-globe-has-harper-really-increased-spending-on-veterans/}}</ref> This charter gave veterans the option to select a lump-sum payment, an annual installment over the number of years of a Veteran's choosing, or a combination of these two payment options.<ref name="New Veterans Charter">{{cite web|url=http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/news/vac-responds/just-the-facts/new-veterans-charter| title=New Veterans Charter| publisher=]| date=October 23, 2014| access-date=July 30, 2016| archive-date=May 4, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504184933/http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/news/vac-responds/just-the-facts/new-veterans-charter}}</ref><ref name="Myth Busting the New Veterans Charter Lump Sum Payment">{{cite web|url=http://www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/eng/blog/post/249| title=New Veterans Charter| publisher=Veterans Ombudsman| date=August 15, 2014| access-date=July 30, 2016| archive-date=August 17, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817014330/http://www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca/eng/blog/post/249}}</ref> Under Harper, the Canadian government spent $700,000 fighting a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of wounded Afghan veterans who argued that the new charter was discriminatory.<ref name="Fighting veterans">{{cite web |url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/feds-spend-700000-in-court-fighting-veterans-class-action-lawsuit/ | title=Feds spend $700,000 in court fighting veterans class-action lawsuit | work=] | date=January 28, 2015 | access-date=October 18, 2015 | author=The Canadian Press| author-link=The Canadian Press }}</ref>


===Parliamentary reform=== ===Foreign policy===
{{Main|Foreign policy of the Stephen Harper government}}
Stephen Harper has indicated that he plans to turn the ] into an elected rather than an appointed body, a main objective proned by the former Reform Party of Canada. He has also proposed fixed election dates but that would not affect the possibility of earlier elections in the case of minority governments like the current one.
] and Harper in ], 2010.]]
] with ], ], ], ], ], and ] in ], ].]]


During his term, Harper dealt with many foreign policy issues relating to the United States, the ], the ], free trade, ], and Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007|title=Mr. Harper Goes to War: Canada, Afghanistan, and the Return of "High Politics" in Canadian Foreign Policy|url=https://www.cpsa-acsp.ca/papers-2007/Bratt.pdf|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref>
===Alleged terrorist threat===
In June 2006 the ] arrested a number of Muslim-Canadians alleged to have been planning significant ]. The plot allegedly involved the hijacking of the ], a takeover of ] in ], and the beheading of Harper in the Parliament on live television; if true it marks the first major public threat against a Canadian Prime Minister since the aftermath of the ] when André Dallaire broke into the Prime Minister's official residence at 24 Sussex Drive to attempt an attack on then Prime Minister Chretien with a knife. <ref>http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0010953</ref>


He reduced defence spending to 1 per cent of Canadian GDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cips.uottawa.ca/canadian-military-spending-as-a-percent-of-gdp/|title=Canadian Military Spending as a Percent of GDP|publisher=CIPS}}</ref>
===Apology to Chinese-Canadians===
On ], ], Stephen Harper offered full apology to Chinese Canadians for the country's treatment of Chinese immigrants during the years ] to ] on the imposing ] policy to them, and subsequent discrimination policies, including subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants from ] until ]. It is estimated about 82,000 Chinese paid the fee, first set at $50 and later raised to $500, about two years' wages at the time. Harper said that Chinese-Canadians who paid the tax or their surviving spouses will receive a symbolic $20,000 ex-gratia payment.


In 2009, Harper visited China. During the visit Chinese Premier ] publicly scolded Harper for not visiting earlier, pointing out that "this is the first meeting between the Chinese premier and a Canadian prime minister in almost five years"; Harper in response said that, "it's almost been five years since we had yourself or President ] in our country."<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news|title=China publicly scolds Harper for taking too long to visit|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/china-publicly-scolds-harper-for-taking-too-long-to-visit/article4312718/|work=The Globe and Mail|date=December 3, 2009|first=John|last=Ibbitson|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref> In 2008, former-prime minister ] had criticized Harper for missing opening ceremonies for the ] in ];<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news|title=Harper has messed up relations with China: Chrétien |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=a63731cf-e839-4438-93f1-fe5d1bc38eb3 |date=August 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215011052/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=a63731cf-e839-4438-93f1-fe5d1bc38eb3 |archive-date=February 15, 2012 }}</ref> in response, ], a spokesperson for Harper, called the remarks hypocritical, pointing out that Chrétien "attended one of six Olympic opening ceremonies during his 13{{sic}} years as prime minister".<ref>Tibbets, Janice. (August 19, 2008) , '']''.</ref>
==Supreme Court==


On September 11, 2007, Harper visited Australia and addressed ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Harper praises Australian troops, elected senate|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/harper-praises-australian-troops-elected-senate-1.255845|publisher=]|date= September 10, 2007|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref>
Aside from his legislative agenda, Harper named ] as the new ] to the ] on ] ]. Rothstein had been 'short listed' with two other potential judges by a committee convened by the previous Liberal government. In keeping with election promises of a new appointment process, Harper announced Rothstein had to appear before an ']' non-partisan committee of 12 ]. However, the committee did not have the power to veto the ], which was what some members of his own party had called for.<ref> ] ].]</ref>


On January 20, 2014, Harper addressed the Israeli Knesset in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stephen Harper's speech to the Israeli Knesset|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-s-speech-to-the-israeli-knesset-1.2503902|publisher=]|date= January 20, 2014|access-date=July 4, 2014}}</ref>
==Honours==
Harper has the postnominal "PC" for life by virtue of being made a member of the ] on ], ] <ref></ref>. His prenominal was changed from "The Honourable" to "The Right Honourable" for ] when he became Prime Minister on ], ].


During mid-2015, Harper repeatedly voiced his opinion that Russia should be excluded from association with the G7 group of nations because of Russia's support for Russian-speaking Ukrainian dissidents. On June 8, Harper said,"Mr. Putin ... has no place at the table, and I don't believe there's any leader who would defend Mr. Putin having a place."<ref>{{cite news|author=Terry Milewski |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-renews-attack-on-russia-s-vladimir-putin-over-ukraine-1.3104202 |title=Stephen Harper renews attack on Russia's Vladimir Putin over Ukraine |publisher=CBC News |date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref>
==Trivia==
* Harper suffers from ].
* A January 2006 article in '']'' identified actor ], who plays Ricky on the TV series '']'', as a distant cousin to Harper.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jane | last=Taber | url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20060113/ELXNRICKY13/TPNational/Canada | title=EVOLVED? Stephen Harper and Ricky of Trailer Park Boys are distant cousins | publisher=Globe and Mail | pages= | page=A1 | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}</ref>
* Harper's father, Joseph Harper, was an avid collector of ] cap badges and wrote a book on the subject (published by ]). Harper himself is authoring a book on the history of ice hockey.<ref>CBC Hockey Night In Canada interview, June 17, 2006.</ref>
* Harper reportedly owns a large ] collection and is an avid fan of ] and ].<ref>{{cite news | first=A. | last=Dunfield | url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040520.wcestwhatele0518/BNStory/specialDecision2004/ | title=Lighter side: C'est what? | publisher=Globe and Mail | pages= | page= | date=] ] | accessdate=2006-04-04}}'</ref>
* Harper is the third Prime Minister, after ] and ], to send their children to ], a public school in ].
* Harper is the first prime minister since ] not to have attended ].
*Harper is reported to have attended the ] of the ].<ref>CTV news report, ] ]. See also ].</ref>


] criticized Harper for cutting foreign aid to Africa by $700 million, falling short of the ], and cutting eight African countries from the list of priority aid recipients.<ref name=Ignat_foreign/>
==See also==
*]
*]


==Notes== ====Afghanistan====
On March 11 and 12, 2006, Harper made a surprise trip to ], where Canadian Forces personnel ] as part of the ]-led ] since late 2001, to visit troops in theatre as a show of support for their efforts, and as a demonstration of the government's commitment to reconstruction and stability in the region. Harper's choice of a first foreign visit was closely guarded from the press until his arrival in Afghanistan (citing security concerns), and is seen as marking a significant change in relationship between the government and the military. Harper returned to Afghanistan on May 22, 2007, in a surprise two-day visit which included visiting Canadian troops at the forward operating base at Ma'Sum Ghar, located {{convert|25|km|mi|0}} south of ], making Harper the first prime minister to have visited the front lines of a combat operation.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM hints Canada may stay in Afghanistan past 2009|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/pm-hints-canada-may-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2009-1.242227|publisher=]|date=May 23, 2007|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref>
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>


==References== ====Israel====
{{See also|International reactions to the 2006 Lebanon War}}
* William Johnson, ''Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada'', McClelland & Stewart, 420 pp. (June 2005) ISBN 0-7710-4350-3
]
* Lloyd Mackey, ''The Pilgrimage of Stephen Harper'', ECW Press, 221 pp. (August 2005) ISBN 1-5502-2713-0
Harper has shown admiration for ] since the early 1990s. Friends and colleagues describe his views as being the product of thinking and reading deeply about the Middle East. Toronto rabbi Philip Scheim, who accompanied Harper to Israel in 2014 said, "I sense that sees Israel as a manifestation of justice and a righting of historical wrongs, especially in light of ]."<ref>Csillag, Ron. . January 23, 2014. January 23, 2014.</ref>


At the outset of the ], Harper defended Israel's "right to defend itself" and described its military campaign in Lebanon as a "measured" response, arguing that ]'s release of kidnapped ] (IDF) soldiers would be the key to ending the conflict.<ref>{{cite news|title=Harper sides firmly with Israel|date=July 13, 2006|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060713.wHarper0713/BNStory/Front|agency=Canadian Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718004310/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060713.wHarper0713/BNStory/Front|archive-date=July 18, 2006}}</ref> Speaking of the situation in both Lebanon and ] on July 18, Harper said he wanted "not just a ceasefire, but a resolution" but such a thing would not happen until Hezbollah and ] recognize Israel's right to exist. Harper blamed Hezbollah for all the civilian deaths. He asserted that Hezbollah's objective is to destroy Israel through violence.<ref>{{cite news|title=Neutral stance rejected |first=Mike |last=Blanchfield |date=July 19, 2006 |work=] |access-date=December 6, 2006 |url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=c0ada2ed-6c3d-4690-9317-739c4d97fd16&k=49262 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060807141923/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=c0ada2ed-6c3d-4690-9317-739c4d97fd16&k=49262 |archive-date=August 7, 2006 }}</ref>
{{start box}}
{{ministry box 28}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts 1 |
post1 = ] |
post1years = ] ]- Present |
post1note = |
post1preceded = ] |
post1followed = Incumbent |
}}
{{end box}}


The media noted that Harper did not allow reporters opportunities to ask him questions on his position. Some Canadians, including many Arab and Lebanese Canadians, criticized Harper's description of Israel's response.<ref>{{cite news|title=Harper dodges questions on Israel-Lebanon crisis|url=http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=80518c73-0f2d-43f6-9499-1a8360f8b60e|date=July 17, 2006|work=]|publisher=]|agency=CanWest News Service|access-date=March 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628222444/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=80518c73-0f2d-43f6-9499-1a8360f8b60e|archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref>
<!--Succession boxes are ordered chronologically.-->
{{start box}}
{{succession box | title=] | before=], ] | after= ], ] | years=1993&ndash;1997}}


In December 2008, the ] recognized Harper's support for Israel with its inaugural International Leadership Award, pointing out Harper's decision to boycott the ] anti-racism conference, and his government's "support for Israel and efforts at the U.N. against incitement and{{Nbsp}}... the ]".<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206024311/http://jta.org/news/article/2008/12/04/1001354/presidents-conference-honors-harper |date=December 6, 2008 }}, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, December 4, 2008</ref>
{{succession box | title=] | before=] (interim) | after=(Party merged with the ] to create the ]) | years=2002&ndash;2003}}


In March 2009, Harper spoke at a ] ceremony organized by ] to honour the Jewish victims of the ], which included an attack on the ]. He expressed condolences over the murder at Chabad's Mumbai centre of Rabbi ] and his wife Rivka. Harper described the killings as "affronts to the values that unite all civilized people". Harper added that the quick instalment of a new rabbi at the Chabad centre in Mumbai as a signal that the Jewish people will "never bow to violence and hatred".<ref name=pernicious>, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, March 13, 2009.</ref>
{{Incumbent succession box | title=] | before=], ] | after=| start=2002}}


In 2010, Canada lost a bid for a seat on the ]. While initially blaming the loss on his rival Ignatieff, Harper later said that it was due to his pro-Israeli stance. Harper then said that he would take a pro-Israeli stance, no matter what the political cost to Canada.<ref name=CBC20101012>{{Cite news|title=Cannon blames Ignatieff for Canada's UN vote loss|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cannon-blames-ignatieff-for-canada-s-un-vote-loss-1.874121|date=October 12, 2010|publisher=]|series=]|access-date=March 30, 2011}}</ref><ref name=unseat>{{cite news|title=Harper Says He'll Support Israel Even If It Hurts Canada Politically |url=http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/national/article/99489--harper-says-he-ll-support-israel-even-if-it-hurts-canada-politically |date=November 9, 2010 |publisher=] |location=Toronto |access-date=March 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117013606/http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/national/article/99489--harper-says-he-ll-support-israel-even-if-it-hurts-canada-politically |archive-date=November 17, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Anti-Semitism on the rise here and abroad, PM says|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/887386--pro-israeli-stand-cost-canada-un-seat-harper-says|date=November 8, 2010|work=]|access-date=March 30, 2011|first=Richard J.|last=Brennan}}</ref> Ignatieff criticized Harper's stance as a "mistake", saying Canada would be better able to defend Israel through the Security Council than from the sidelines and pointed out that it is the Security Council that will determine if sanctions are imposed on ].<ref name=unseat/> Ignatieff also accused Harper of steering the discussion away from implementing the ], and instead of rendering all discussion into a competition "about who is Israel's best friend".<ref name=Ignat_foreign>{{cite news|first=Susan|last=Delacourt|title=Harper has burned bridges abroad, Ignatieff says|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/884621|work=]|date=November 2, 2010}}</ref>
{{succession box | title=] | before= ] (first time), ], (2nd time) | after= ] (first time), ] (2nd time) | years=2003-2004, 2004&ndash;2006}}


Harper backed Israel's ] and condemned Hamas. Harper said, "It is evident that Hamas is deliberately using human shields to further terror in the region."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/israel-middle-east/stephen-harper-accuses-hamas-of-using-human-shields-urges-world-leaders-to-side-with-israel|title=Stephen Harper accuses Hamas of using human shields, urges world leaders to side with Israel |newspaper=National Post| date=July 13, 2014|access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref>
{{Incumbent succession box | title=] | before=] | after=| start=2004}}


====Free trade with EFTA====
{{end box}}
On June 7, 2007, the Conservative government announced it had finalized free trade negotiations with the ] (EFTA). Under this agreement, Canada increased its trade ties with Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and ]. In 2006, the value of trade between these partners was $10.7 billion. Canada had originally begun negotiations with the EFTA on October 9, 1998, but talks broke down because of a disagreement over subsidies to shipyards in Atlantic Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/efta-aele.aspx?lang=en|title=Canada&nbsp;— European Free Trade Association (EFTA)&nbsp;– Free Trade Agreement|access-date=February 6, 2008|date=January 28, 2008|publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520092329/http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/efta-aele.aspx?lang=en|archive-date=May 20, 2011}}</ref>
{{canPM}}
{{CanCabinet}}
{{Canpremier}}
{{Canadian Conservative Leaders}}


==External links== ====United States====
{{see also|Canada–United States relations}}
{{commons|Stephen Harper}}
] in Ottawa, February 19, 2009.]]
{{wikiquote}}
] ] at the Haiti Ministerial Preparatory Conference addressing ] in ], January 25, 2010.]]
{{Wikinews|Conservative Canadian government sworn in}}
Shortly after being congratulated by George W. Bush for his victory, Harper rebuked US Ambassador ] for criticizing the Conservatives' plans to assert Canada's sovereignty over the ] waters with armed forces.<ref>{{cite news|title=Harper rebukes U.S. envoy over Arctic dispute|date=January 27, 2006|work=Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060127.wxharper27/BNStory/specialNewTory2006|author=Gloria Galloway|access-date=December 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204025423/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060127.wxharper27/BNStory/specialNewTory2006/|archive-date=February 4, 2008}}</ref> Harper's first meeting as prime minister with the US president occurred at the end of March 2006.
{{Wikinews|Canadian Conservative party leader promises to vigorously defend Canadian Arctic sovereignty}}
*
*
*
*Canadian Broadcasting Corporation..
*
*
*
*


The government received American news coverage during the ] after the details of a conversation between Barack Obama's economic advisor ], and Canadian diplomat Georges Rioux were revealed. Reportedly Goolsbee was reassuring the Canadians that Obama's comments on potentially renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) were more political rhetoric than actual policy. The accuracy of these reports has been debated by both the Obama campaign and the Canadian government. The news came at a key time nearing the ] and ] primaries, where perceptions among ] voters was (and is) that the benefits of the NAFTA agreement are dubious. Thus the appearance that Obama was not being completely forthright was attacked by his opponent Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alexander|last=Panetta|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080304.wleakupdate0304/BNStory/Front|title=Harper denies aide leaked Obama document|location=Ottawa|publisher=globeandmail.com|date=March 4, 2008|access-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116070728/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080304.wleakupdate0304/BNStory/Front|archive-date=January 16, 2009}}</ref>
===News===
*


] reported that Harper's ], ] was responsible for the details reaching the hands of the media.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jennifer|last=Parker|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4365922&page=1|title=Clinton Campaign Demands Obama Answers on NAFTA|publisher=ABC News|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> Harper has denied that Brodie was responsible for the leak, and launched an investigation to find the source. The ], as well as Democratic strategist ],<ref>{{cite news|author=Brian Laghi|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080303.NAFTA03/TPStory/National|title=Harper meddling in U.S. primaries, Democrats say|publisher=globeandmail.com|date=March 3, 2008|access-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709031951/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080303.NAFTA03/TPStory/National|archive-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref> criticized the government on the issue, stating they were trying to help the ] by helping Hillary Clinton win the Democratic nomination instead of Obama. They also alleged the leak would hurt relations with the United States if Obama ever were to become president.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/pm-denies-top-aide-leaked-obama-nafta-memo-1.696328|title=PM denies top aide leaked Obama NAFTA memo|publisher=CBC.ca|date=March 4, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref> Obama was elected president in November. In February, Obama made his first foreign visit as the US president to Ottawa, in which he affirmed support for free trade with Canada, as well as complimenting Canada on its involvement in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/pm-obama-talk-trade-afghanistan-pledge-clean-energy-dialogue-1.781701|title=PM, Obama talk trade, Afghanistan, pledge 'clean energy dialogue{{'-}}|publisher=CBC News|date=February 19, 2009|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref>
==Electoral record==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
! colspan="7"|]: ]
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
! colspan="2" style="width: 182px"|Party
! style="width: 170px"|Candidate
! style="width: 50px"|Votes
! style="width: 40px"|%
! style="width: 60px"|Expenditures
|-
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Conservative/row}}
|]
|(x)Stephen Harper
|align="right"|41,549
|align="right"|72.36
|align="right"|
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Liberal/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|6,553
|align="right"|11.41
|align="right"|
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/NDP/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|4,628
|align="right"|8.06
|align="right"|
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Green/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|4,407
|align="right"|7.68
|align="right"|
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Christian_Heritage/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|279
|align="right"|0.49
|align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total valid votes
!align="right"|57,416
!align="right"|100.00
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total rejected ballots
!align="right"|120
!align="right"|
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Turnout
!align="right"|57,536
!align="right"|
!align="right"|
|}


===Environmental policy===
{| class="wikitable"
{{main|Environmental policy of the Stephen Harper government}}
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
]'s ] in 2010.]]
! colspan="7"|]: ]
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
! colspan="2" style="width: 182px"|Party
! style="width: 170px"|Candidate
! style="width: 50px"|Votes
! style="width: 40px"|%
! style="width: 60px"|Expenditures
|-
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Conservative/row}}
|]
|(x)Stephen Harper
|align="right"|35,297
|align="right"|68.36
|align="right"|''$62,952.76''
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Liberal/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|9,501
|align="right"|18.40
|align="right"|$43,846.23
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Green/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|3,210
|align="right"|6.22
|align="right"|''534.96''
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/NDP/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|2,884
|align="right"|5.59
|align="right"|''3,648.70''
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Marijuana/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|516
|align="right"|1.00
|align="right"|$0.00
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Christian_Heritage/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|229
|align="right"|0.44
|align="right"|''$985.59''
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total valid votes
!align="right"|51,637
!align="right"|100.00
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total rejected ballots
!align="right"|149
!align="right"|
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Turnout
!align="right"|51,786
!align="right"|64.49
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Electors on the lists
!align="right"|80,296
!align="right"|
!align="right"|
|}


Since Harper's government took office in 2006, Canadian greenhouse gas emissions fell from 749 to 726&nbsp;Mt of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO<sub>2</sub> eq). From 1993 until 2006, during the previous Liberal government greenhouse gas emissions increased from 600 to 749&nbsp;Mt of CO<sub>2</sub> eq.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators/default.asp?lang=en&n=FBF8455E-1 | title = National Greenhouse Gas Emissions | date = April 17, 2015 | publisher = Environment Canada }}</ref> The reduction corresponded Canada's decreased economic output during the ] and emissions began increasing slightly in 2010, when the economy began recovering.<ref name="Reality check">{{cite web |url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2153522/reality-check-have-greenhouse-gas-emissions-decreased-as-the-economy-grows/ | title=Reality check: Have greenhouse gas emissions decreased as the economy grows? | publisher=] | date=August 7, 2015 | access-date=August 31, 2015 | author=Young, Leslie}}</ref> Other significant factors in Canada's decreased emissions during Harper's tenure are initiatives such as the ] in British Columbia, the ] system in Quebec, Ontario discontinuing use of ]s, and the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda which regulates emissions for automobiles and light trucks.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/eng/regulations/detailReg.cfm?intReg=192 | title=Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations | publisher=] | date=April 4, 2010 | access-date=October 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/aglukkaq-touts-emissions-cuts-but-the-numbers-tell-another-story/ | title=Aglukkaq touts emissions cuts, numbers tell another story | magazine=] | date=April 4, 2014 | access-date=August 31, 2015 | author=Geddes, John}}</ref><ref name="Lower Churchill Project Loan Guarantee">{{cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/legal-post/drew-hasselback-federal-guarantee-gives-lower-churchill-financing-a-sovereign-touch |title=Drew Hasselback: Federal guarantee gives Lower Churchill financing a sovereign touch |newspaper=Financial Post |date=January 31, 2014}}</ref> In 2006, a Clean Air and Climate Change Act was proposed to address air pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions; it never became law.<ref name="Green Lies">{{cite web | url=https://ipolitics.ca/2012/02/08/david-boyd-little-green-lies-prime-minister-harper-and-canadas-environment/ | title=Little green lies: Prime Minister Harper and Canada's environment | publisher=iPolitics | date=February 28, 2012 | access-date=October 18, 2015 | author=Boyd, David R.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/LegislativeSummaries/bills_ls.asp?ls=c30&Parl=39&Ses=1| title=Bill C-30: Canada's Clean Air and Climate Change Act| publisher=]| date=November 14, 2006 |author=Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier |author2=Sam N.K. Banks |author3=Kristen Douglas |author4=Lynne C. Myers |author5=Tim Williams | access-date=January 31, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208070724/http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/LegislativeSummaries/bills_ls.asp?ls=c30&Parl=39&Ses=1| archive-date=December 8, 2015| df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2006, the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA) was established to "support Government of Canada efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions in order to improve the environment and health of Canadians".<ref name="Clean Air Regulatory Agenda">{{cite web |url=http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=56D4043B-1&news=295B1964-9737-4F80-B064-B3088D9910BE| title=Clean Air Regulatory Agenda | publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=October 19, 2015| date=November 28, 2011 }}</ref> In December 2011, the Harper government announced that Canada would formally withdraw from the ].<ref name="Canada abandons Kyoto">{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-formally-abandons-kyoto-protocol-on-climate-change/article4180809/ | title=Canada formally abandons Kyoto Protocol on climate change | work=The Globe and Mail | date=September 6, 2012 | access-date=September 15, 2015 | author=Curry, Bill and Shawn McCarthy}}</ref> Environment Minister ] stated, "It's now clear that Kyoto is not the path forward for a global solution to climate change."<ref name="Canada abandons Kyoto" /> In December 2012, Canada became the first signatory to formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol.<ref name=Postmedia-withdrawal>{{cite web | url=http://o.canada.com/news/its-official-harper-government-withdraws-from-kyoto-climate-agreement | title=It's official: Harper government withdraws from Kyoto climate agreement | publisher=] | date=December 14, 2012 | access-date=September 15, 2015 | author=De Souza, Mike | archive-date=October 7, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007075520/http://o.canada.com/news/its-official-harper-government-withdraws-from-kyoto-climate-agreement }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-formally-withdrawig-from-kyoto-protocol | title = Canada Pulling out of Kyoto Accord | author = Kennedy, Mark | date = December 12, 2011 | newspaper = National Post |access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
! colspan="7"|Federal ], ], ]: ]
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
! colspan="2" style="width: 182px"|Party
! style="width: 170px"|Candidate
! style="width: 50px"|Votes
! style="width: 40px"|%
! style="width: 60px"|Expenditures
|-
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Canadian Alliance/row}}
|]
|Stephen Harper
|align="right"|13,200
|align="right"|71.66
|align="right"|$58,959.16
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/NDP/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|3,813
|align="right"|20.70
|align="right"|$34,789.77
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Green/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|660
|align="right"|3.58
|align="right"|$2,750.80
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Independents/row}}
|Independent
|]
|align="right"|428
|align="right"|2.32
|align="right"|$3,329.34
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Christian_Heritage/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|320
|align="right"|1.74
|align="right"|$27,772.78
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total valid votes
!align="right"|18,421
!align="right"|100.00
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total rejected ballots
!align="right"|98
!align="right"|
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Turnout
!align="right"|18,519
!align="right"|23.05
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Electors on the lists
!align="right"|80,360
!align="right"|
!align="right"|
|}


====Renewable energy====
{| class="wikitable"
Other federal initiatives include the 2011 loan guarantee towards the ] in ], which is scheduled for completion in 2017.<ref name="Lower Churchill Project: Ottawa Guarantees $6.2-Billion Hydroelectric Project On Muskrat Falls For Newfoundland And Labrador">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/08/19/lower-churchill-project-loan-gaurantee-ottawa-harper_n_931086.html |title=Lower Churchill Project: Ottawa Guarantees $6.2-Billion Hydroelectric Project On Muskrat Falls For Newfoundland And Labrador|work=The Huffington Post|date=August 19, 2011}}</ref> The Lower Churchill's two hydroelectric installations at ] and ] will have a combined capacity of over 3,074&nbsp;MW and have the ability to provide 16.7&nbsp;TW·h of electricity per year, which is enough to "reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 3.2 million vehicles off the road each year".<ref name="Lower Churchill Project">{{cite web |url=http://www.nalcorenergy.com/Lower-Churchill-Project.asp |title=Lower Churchill Project |publisher=Nalcor Energy |access-date=June 8, 2013 |archive-date=November 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129063257/http://www.nalcorenergy.com/Lower-Churchill-Project.asp }}</ref><ref name="Harper pledges to support major $6.2 billion hydroelectric project">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/03/31/harper_pledges_to_support_major_62_billion_hydroelectric_project.html |title=Harper pledges to support major $6.2 billion hydroelectric project|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=March 31, 2011}}</ref>
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"

! colspan="7"|]: ]
====Public transit====
|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
In 2006, Harper introduced a Public Transit Tax Credit, where individuals could claim 15 per cent of the cost of a transit pass each year.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nixing of transit tax credit in federal budget draws ire|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/did-trudeaus-budget-just-sock-it-to-transit-riders/article34394759/|access-date=February 25, 2021}}</ref> From 2006 to 2013, the Harper government invested over $5 billion towards public transit projects in Canada.<ref name="Minister Denis Lebel confirms Harper Government's record infrastructure investment will boost Canadian communities">{{cite web|url=http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/2013/20130601vancouver-eng.html|title=Minister Denis Lebel confirms Harper Government's record infrastructure investment will boost Canadian communities|publisher=Infrastructure Canada|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=October 22, 2015|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052227/http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/2013/20130601vancouver-eng.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="On the Right Track">{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianmetalworking.com/features/on-the-right-track/|title=On the Right Track|publisher=Canadian Metalworking|author=Hendley, Nate|date=November 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715204629/http://www.canadianmetalworking.com/features/on-the-right-track/|archive-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, the federal government provided $697 million towards the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=BUS RAPID TRANSIT SERVICE BREAKS GROUND IN MISSISSAUGA|url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/transitexpansionprojects/Mississauga%20BRT_NR_E%20AUG%204.pdf|work=]|access-date=April 23, 2014|archive-date=July 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717225711/http://www.metrolinx.com/en/projectsandprograms/transitexpansionprojects/Mississauga%20BRT_NR_E%20AUG%204.pdf}}</ref> In September 2013, Finance Minister ] announced a federal contribution of $660 million towards the ].<ref name="Harper pledges federal funding for Toronto's subway extension">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/harper-pledges-funding-for-torontos-subway-extension/article14453152/ |title=Harper pledges federal funding for Toronto's subway extension |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=September 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Ottawa will help pay for Scarborough subway">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/22/prime_minister_stephen_harper_says_ottawa_will_help_pay_for_scarborough_subway.html |title=Ottawa will help pay for Scarborough subway |newspaper=The Toronto Star |date=September 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Major transit announcement incoming: Harper expected to boost TTC funding during Toronto visit">{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/toronto/major-transit-announcement-incoming-harper-expected-to-boost-ttc-funding-during-toronto-visit |title=Major transit announcement incoming: Harper expected to boost TTC funding during Toronto visit |newspaper=The National Post |date=June 18, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref>
! colspan="2" style="width: 182px"|Party

! style="width: 170px"|Candidate
=== Transparency ===
! style="width: 50px"|Votes
Starting in 2006, the Harper government implemented policies that had the effect of reducing transparency. During this government, scientists employed by the government were not able to speak with the media and inform the public of their findings without government permission,<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Evans Ogden|first=Lesley|date=May 5, 2016|title=Nine years of censorship|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=533|issue=7601|pages=26–28|doi=10.1038/533026a|pmid=27147016|bibcode=2016Natur.533...26E|s2cid=4445904|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/hundreds-of-world-s-scientists-urge-harper-to-end-funding-cuts-1.2063474|title=Hundreds of world's scientists urge Harper to end funding cuts|last=Leung|first=Marlene|newspaper=CTVNews|access-date=February 9, 2017|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/03/15/harper_governments_muzzling_of_scientists_a_mark_of_shame_for_canada.html|title=Harper government's muzzling of scientists a mark of shame for Canada {{!}} Toronto Star|website=thestar.com|date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/opinion/sunday/silencing-scientists.html|title=Silencing Scientists|last=Klinkenborg|first=Verlyn|date=September 21, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 9, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the government made significant cuts to research and other forms of data collection,<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/835932--statscan-recommended-move-to-voluntary-census-clement-says|title=StatsCan recommended move to voluntary census, Tony Clement says|work=Toronto Star|last=Campion-Smith|first=Bruce|date=July 16, 2010|access-date=July 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/research-cutbacks-by-government-alarm-scientists-1.2490081|title=Scientists raise red flags over government research cuts|newspaper=CBC News|access-date=February 9, 2017|language=en}}</ref> and significant destruction and inaccessibility of government-held data and documents occurred.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/01/12/thats_no_way_to_treat_a_library_scientists_say.html|title=That's no way to treat a library, scientists say {{!}} Toronto Star|website=thestar.com|date=January 12, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-says-his-government-encouraged-rcmp-to-destroy-disputed-long-gun-data-1.3116835|title=PM says his government encouraged RCMP to destroy disputed long-gun data|newspaper=CBC News|access-date=February 9, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
! style="width: 40px"|%

During the Harper government, it was not possible for government-employed scientists to openly speak about the government policy that prohibited communication with the media. However, following the election of a new government in 2015, several scientists who were or had been employed by the government came forward to confirm the allegations made by anonymous sources during the Harper years.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />

The government made drastic cuts to scientific research and data collection. Over 2,000 scientists were dismissed and funding was cut from world renowned research facilities. Cuts were also made to many essential programs, some so deep that they had to shut down entirely, including the monitoring of smoke stack emissions, food inspections, oil spills, water quality, and climate change.<ref name=":7" /> During this time, the long form census was also discontinued as a mandatory part of the census. This was ostensibly due to privacy concerns, however, the number of complaints about privacy proved to be minimal.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|author=LAURA PAYTON, Parliamentary Bureau |url=http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/07/14/14712616.html |title=Few complaints about census: privacy commissioner |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=July 14, 2010 |access-date=February 19, 2012}}</ref>
The government closed a number of government libraries without consultation on the closings or the process involved. The manner in which it was done received significant criticism because it left the remaining information in disarray, inaccessible for research.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />

===Appointments===
====Supreme Court====
Harper chose the following jurists to be appointed as justices of the Supreme Court of Canada:

* ] (March 1, 2006 – August 31, 2015)
* ] (September 5, 2008 – September 1, 2016)
* ] (October 21, 2011 – present)<ref name=SecretProcess>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1070946--supreme-court-appointments-highlight-a-secret-process|title=Supreme Court appointments highlight a secret process | work=The Star}}</ref>
* ] (October 21, 2011 – September 1, 2022)<ref name=SecretProcess/>
* ] (October 5, 2012 – present)
* ] (June 9, 2014 – September 15, 2019)
* ] (December 1, 2014 – present)
* ] (August 31, 2015 – June 12, 2023)

====Senate====
Harper, on January 29, 2010, advised the governor general to appoint new Conservative senators to fill five vacancies in the Senate, one each for Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, and two for Ontario. The new senators were ], of Quebec; ], of Ontario; ], of Ontario; ] of ]; and ], of New Brunswick. This changed the party standings in the Senate, which had previously been dominated by Liberals, to 51 Conservatives, 49 Liberals, and five others.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/politics/inside-politics-blog/2010/01/sunday-senatewatch-five-vacancies-why-not-a-bakers-dozen-instead.html|title=SenateWatch: Five vacancies? Why not a baker's dozen instead?|publisher=CBC|date=January 3, 2010|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref>

==Post-premiership (2015–present)==
===Conservative backbencher (2015–2016)===
Harper returned to Ottawa as a Conservative backbencher and addressed a meeting of the Conservative caucus that included defeated MPs in November 2015.<ref name="Low profile">{{cite news | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/former-pm-stephen-harper-will-be-in-the-house-for-key-votes-ambrose-says-1.3359692 | title=Former PM Stephen Harper will be in the House for key votes, Ambrose says | publisher=] | date=December 10, 2015 | access-date=December 10, 2015 | author=Lunn, Susan}}</ref> Interim leader Rona Ambrose stated that Harper would be in the House for key votes as the member for Calgary Heritage, but had earned the right to keep a low profile after his service as the prime minister.<ref name="Low profile" /> In February 2018, Harper stated that he could have still "easily" been leader of the Conservative Party, but he chose not to amass too much power in order to secure the party's fortunes in the future.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-stephen-harper-says-he-could-still-easily-be-conservative-leader/|title=Stephen Harper says he could still 'easily' be Conservative leader|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref>

In December 2015, Harper had set up Harper & Associates Consulting Inc., a corporation that lists him a director alongside close associates ] and Jeremy Hunt.<ref name=":0" />

Harper announced in May 2016 that he planned to resign his seat in the House of Commons during the summer before the fall session of Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/stephen-harper-inc-former-pm-sets-up-company-1.2916119|title=Stephen Harper Inc.: Former PM sets up company|last=Payton|first=Laura|date=May 25, 2016|publisher=]|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> On May 26, 2016, he was named as a board member for the Conservative Party's fundraising arm.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2017/01/23/harper-role-conservative-fund-appears-unprecedented-involvement-expected-boon-fundraising/93365|title=Harper's Conservative Party fundraising role appears unprecedented, expected to mobilize base – The Hill Times|date=January 23, 2017|work=The Hill Times|access-date=April 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The Conservative Fund is noted to have influence on the party operations.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/12/13/scheer-facing-an-internal-audit-over-use-of-conservative-party-funds.html|title=Scheer facing an internal audit over use of Conservative Party funds {{!}} The Star|website=thestar.com|date=December 13, 2019 |language=en|access-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> Harper and other directors played a role in the removal of Harper–appointed Conservative executive director Dustin Van Vught to avoid backlash from donors and grassroots conservatives.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-conservative-party-senior-staffer-dismissed-to-avoid-backlash-over/|title=Harper, other Conservative Fund directors fired party's top staffer to avoid donor backlash on tuition fees|access-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":10" /> In the same month, Harper delivered a speech to the 2016 Conservative Party convention where his accomplishments as party leader and prime minister were honoured by the party.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-sets-up-corporation-1.3601177|title=Stephen Harper's next move: Heading up his own company|date=May 26, 2016|publisher=]|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref>

===After politics (2016–present)===
In October 2017, Harper received media attention for criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's handling of the renegotiation of the ] started by the United States under President ], stating that Trudeau was too unwilling to make concessions to the U.S., sided too closely with Mexico, and tried to advance left-wing policies through the renegotiations.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Panetta | first1=Alexander | title=NAFTA Negotiations 'Going Very Badly,' Stephen Harper Writes in Memo Blasting Trudeau Government | newspaper=National Post | url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/napping-on-nafta-harper-blasts-trudeau-government-handling-of-negotiations | date=October 27, 2017 | publisher=] (from ]) | access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Quinn | first1=Greg | title=Trudeau's Predecessor Says It's Conceivable Trump Will Scrap Nafta | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-11/trudeau-predecessor-says-it-s-conceivable-trump-will-scrap-nafta | date=October 11, 2017 | publisher=] | access-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref>

On February 2, 2018, Harper revealed in a statement that he knew about the ] allegations against then Conservative MP ] during the ] but could not justify removing him as a candidate because the investigation was closed by police a year before the election.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/novak-dykstra-fired-candidate-1.4518095|title=Harper says he could not justify dumping Dykstra in 2015|work=CBC News|access-date=March 22, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
] in India in 2018.]]
On March 26, 2018, Harper attended the international Fellowship of Christians and Jews Gala at ] where he stated that he expressed support for US president Donald Trump's speech on ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/local/trump-gets-big-cheers-jewish-christian-gala-mar-lago/c4F1AnyKgj0CYGQ4MFmP3O/|title=Trump gets big cheers at Jewish-Christian gala at Mar-a-Lago|work=palmbeachpost|access-date=April 26, 2018}}</ref> On May 9, he expressed support for Trump's decision to withdraw from the ] by lending his signature to an ad that appeared in ''The New York Times'' a day after the decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/05/09/stephen-harper-donald-trump-new-york-times-iran-deal_a_23431071/|title=Harper Shows Support For Trump's Iran Decision In Full-Page NYT Ad|date=May 9, 2018|work=HuffPost Canada|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harper-iran-trump-ad-1.4656526|title=Former Canadian PM Harper in ad to Trump: 'You are right about Iran' {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

On November 19, 2018, Harper appeared on a show hosted by ], where he made comments on issues such as populism, immigration and nationalism. The ''National Post'' noted that they "echo the argument made in his recently released book, '']'', which urges conservatives to listen to populist grievances, rather than focus on other priorities like tax cuts for the wealthy."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/i-have-no-time-for-illegal-immigration-stephen-harper-says-on-u-s-podcast|title='I have no time for illegal immigration,' Stephen Harper says on U.S. podcast |newspaper=National Post |date=November 19, 2018|language=en-CA|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://torontolife.com/city/moments-stephen-harpers-appearance-american-hard-right-podcast/|title=Some moments from Stephen Harper's appearance on an American hard-right podcast|date=November 21, 2018|website=Toronto Life|language=en-US|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref>

In January 2019, Harper appeared on a ] video explaining why Donald Trump was ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 28, 2019|title=Harper opines on Trump win, extols 'populist conservatism' in new video|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/harper-opines-on-trump-win-extols-populist-conservatism-in-new-video-1.4272177|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=CTV News|language=en}}</ref> Then in May 2019, he appeared on another PragerU video explaining reasons to support Israel amid the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prager |first=Dennis |date=August 6, 2019 |title=Don't Let Google Get Away With Censorship |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/dont-let-google-get-away-with-censorship-11565132175 |access-date=March 2, 2022 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

] in ] in 2019.]]

On March 11, 2021, during a ] hosted by the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, Harper claimed that the world has entered into a ] between the United States and China, and that middle-power countries such as Canada are also a part of the rivalry between the two main powers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=March 13, 2021|title=Former PM Stephen Harper sees new Cold War, this time between U.S. and China|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/former-pm-stephen-harper-sees-new-cold-war-this-time-between-u-s-and-china-1.5346247|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=CTV News|language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, Harper appeared on the podcast American Optimist, hosted by ]. In the interview, Harper criticized the Trudeau government's large-scale ] during the ], calling it "overkill". He also criticized "] culture".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boisvert |first1=Nick |title=Stephen Harper says Canada's pandemic spending has been 'overkill' in podcast appearance |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-podcast-interview-pandemic-1.6120113 |website=CBC News |access-date=August 15, 2022 |date=July 27, 2021}}</ref>

On July 25, 2022, Harper endorsed his former cabinet minister ] for the ]. This was the first time Harper endorsed a federal Conservative leadership candidate; he previously chose not to in the ] and ] leadership elections.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boisvert |first1=Nick |title=Stephen Harper says Pierre Poilievre has the best chance to win the next federal election Social Sharing |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harper-poilievre-endorsement-1.6531995 |website=CBC News |access-date=August 15, 2022 |date=July 25, 2022}}</ref>

In September 2022, Harper attended Queen Elizabeth II's ], along with other former Canadian prime ministers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-delegation-to-queen-elizabeth-funeral-1.6584284|title=Prime minister, Governor General to be joined by Indigenous leaders at Queen's funeral|website=]|first=Darren|last=Major|date=September 15, 2022|access-date=September 19, 2022}}</ref>

On March 22, 2023, during a conservative conference in Ottawa, Harper criticized the Trudeau government's handling of ]. He also criticized the NDP, calling them a "branch plant of the Liberal party" and argued that the party got "nothing" out of its ] agreement with the Liberal Party.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Major |first=Darren |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Former PM Harper takes jab at Liberals over foreign interference |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harper-liberals-foreign-interference-1.6787883}}</ref>

In April 2023, Harper endorsed Albertan Premier ] for the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Former prime minister Stephen Harper backs Smith with video message |url=https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2023/04/18/former-prime-minister-stephen-harper-backs-smith-with-video-message/ |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=CityNews Edmonton}}</ref>

In November 2024, Harper was named as ] (AIMCo) Chair by ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephen Harper appointed to oversee Alberta's $160B AIMCo fund {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10879509/stephen-harper-aimco-appointment-alberta/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Austen| first = Ian| title = Alberta Breaks With the Canadian Pension Model| work = The New York Times| access-date = 2024-11-23| date = 2024-11-23| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/world/canada/alberta-breaks-with-the-canadian-pension-model.html}}</ref>

==Honours==
<div class="center">
] ]<br />
] ] ]
</div>
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|- style="background:silver;" align="center"
|Ribbon || Description || Notes
|-
|] || ]||
* 2019: For his long-standing career in politics and for his service to the nation as the 22nd prime minister of Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full list of new Order of Canada recipients |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/order-of-canada-full-list-2019-1.5409612 |website=CBC News |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref>
|-
|] || ]||
* 2023: For his long-standing career in politics and for his service to the province of Alberta.<ref name="AOE">{{cite web |url=https://www.alberta.ca/aoe-stephen-harper|title=The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper |website=alberta.ca |publisher=Government of Alberta |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|] || ] for Canada||
* 2002: As the leader of the Official Opposition and a member of Parliament, Harper was awarded the medal as a member of the ].<ref>{{cite web|website=Website of the Governor General of Canada|title=The Golden Jubilee Medal awarded to The Right Honourable Stephen Joseph Harper, P.C., M.P.|url=http://gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=40057&t=6&ln=Harper|language=en|date=June 11, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|] || ] for Canada||
* 2012: As the ] and as a member of Parliament, Harper was awarded the medal as a member of the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded to The Right Honourable Stephen Joseph Harper, P.C., M.P.|url=http://gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=663&t=13&ln=Harper|website=Website of the Governor General of Canada|language=en|date=June 11, 2018}}</ref>
|- |-
|] || ] ||
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Reform/row}}
* 2005
|]
* As a prominent Albertan, as a member of Parliament and in particular, leader of the Official Opposition, Harper was awarded with the Alberta Centennial Medal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.albertacentennial.ca/programs/medal_recip_h-n.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010225253/http://www.albertacentennial.ca/programs/medal_recip_h-n.html |archive-date=October 10, 2006 |title=Centennial Medal Recipients H–N |website=albertacentennial.ca |access-date=September 27, 2021}}</ref>
|Stephen Harper
|align="right"|30,209
|align="right"|52.25
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Liberal/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|15,314
|align="right"|26.49
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Progressive_Conservatives/row}}
|]
|(x)]
|align="right"|9,090
|align="right"|15.72
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/NDP/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|1,194
|align="right"|2.06
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/National/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|1,068
|align="right"|1.85
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Natural_Law/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|483
|align="right"|0.84
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Green/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|347
|align="right"|0.60
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Christian_Heritage/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|116
|align="right"|0.20
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total valid votes
!align="right"|57,821
!align="right"|100.00
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total rejected ballots
!align="right"|133
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Turnout
!align="right"|57,954
!align="right"|66.29
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Electors on the lists
!align="right"|87,421
!align="right"|
|} |}


Harper received the ] on October 6, 2006, for his public service in Calgary. The awards ceremony was held at the ] in Calgary, the same place where he made his victory speech.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Kathleen |last1=Harris |last2=Czekaj |first2=Laura |url=http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1246819 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001002033/http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1246819 |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |title=Conservatives back in minority power |work=] |publisher=Sun Media |date=October 14, 2008 |access-date=July 12, 2011 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"

|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
] also named him as ] in 2006. Stephen Handelman wrote "that the prime minister who was once dismissed as a doctrinaire backroom tactician with no experience in government has emerged as a warrior in power".<ref>{{cite news|author=CTV News|title=Time Magazine dubs Harper Cdn. newsmaker of 2006|publisher=CTV|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061217/harper_newsmaker_061217/20061217|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061221030639/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061217/harper_newsmaker_061217/20061217|archive-date=December 21, 2006|date=December 17, 2006}}</ref>
! colspan="7"|]: ]

|- style="background-color:#E9E9E9"
On June 27, 2008, Harper was awarded the Presidential Gold Medallion for Humanitarianism by ] International. He is the first Canadian to be awarded this medal.<ref>{{cite news |author=Andrew Mayeda |title=PM calls UN conference an 'anti-Western hatefest{{'-}} |work=National Post |url=https://cjpac.ca/pm-calls-un-conference-an-anti-western-hatefest-canada-wont-go-durban-ii-likely-as-bad-as-durban-i-harper-says/ |date=June 28, 2008 |access-date=April 10, 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
! colspan="2" style="width: 182px"|Party

! style="width: 170px"|Candidate
On July 11, 2011, Harper was honoured by Alberta's ]. He was made Honorary Chief of the Kainai Nation during a ceremony, in which they recognized him for making an ] for the ]. Harper issued this apology in 2008. The chief of the tribe explained that he believes the apology officially started the healing and rebuilding of relations between the federal and native councils. ], John Diefenbaker, and Jean Chrétien are the only other prime ministers of Canada to have been awarded the same honorary title.<ref>, ], The Canadian Press, July 11, 2011</ref>
! style="width: 50px"|Votes

! style="width: 40px"|%
On September 27, 2012, Harper received the World Statesman of the Year award. This award was offered through a US group of various faith representatives. This occurred at a black tie banquet in New York. Jean Chrétien was one of the previous recipients from Canada.<ref>, ], The Canadian Press, September 27, 2012</ref>

In August 2016 ] ] of ] awarded Stephen Harper with the highest award for foreigners–the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3402016-20387|title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №340/2016|publisher=Office of the President|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref>

In December 2019, it was announced by Governor General ] that Harper had been appointed as a Companion of the Order of Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full list of new Order of Canada recipients |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/order-of-canada-full-list-2019-1.5409612 |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimonjic |first1=Peter |title=Nobel laureate Donna Strickland, James Cameron, Inuk actor Johnny Issaluk among Order of Canada appointees |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/order-of-canada-january-2020-1.5409261 |website=CBC News |access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref> He was formally ] on September 18, 2022, by Governor General ] in ] in a ceremony attended by incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and former prime ministers ], Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and former Governors-General Michaëlle Jean and ].<ref>{{cite web |title= Former prime minister Stephen Harper invested into Order of Canada|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/stephen-harper-order-of-canada-1.6587436 |website=CBC News |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref>

In 2023, he was appointed a Member of the ], the province's civilian honour for merit.<ref name=AOE />

==Honorary degrees==
;Honorary degrees
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
! style="width:20%;"| Location
! style="width:20%;"| Date
! style="width:40%;"| School
! style="width:20%;"| Degree
|-
| {{Flagu|Israel}} || '''January 22, 2014''' || ] || ] (Ph.D)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ottawajewishbulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Dr-Stephen-Harper.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612151959/http://www.ottawajewishbulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Dr-Stephen-Harper.jpg |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |title=Picture of Stephen Harper holding degree |website=ottawajewishbulletin.com}}</ref><ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7eDi7osX0 |title=Honorary Degrees Conferment Ceremony, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada |publisher=Tel Aviv University |website=youtube.com |date=January 23, 2014 |access-date=September 27, 2021 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|- |-
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Progressive_Conservatives/row}}
|]
|(x)]
|align="right"|32,025
|align="right"|58.52
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Reform/row}}
|]
|Stephen Harper
|align="right"|9,074
|align="right"|16.58
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Liberal/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|6,880
|align="right"|12.57
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/NDP/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|6,355
|align="right"|11.61
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/Libertarian/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|225
|align="right"|0.41
{{Canadian_politics/party_colours/CoR/row}}
|]
|]
|align="right"|170
|align="right"|0.31
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total valid votes
!align="right"|54,729
!align="right"|100.00
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Total rejected ballots
!align="right"|117
!align="right"|
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Turnout
!align="right"|54,846
!align="right"|78.75
|- bgcolor="white"
!align="right" colspan=3|Electors on the lists
!align="right"|69,650
!align="right"|
|} |}
{{Incomplete list|date=June 2018}}


==Personal life==
All electoral information is taken from ]. Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available.
] player ] watching a 2012 football game in ].]]
] celebrations on ] in ].]]


Harper married ] on December 11, 1993.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728042334/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=14df91d7-f52e-4055-9afc-c9d8c4a60738 |date=July 28, 2013 }}, The Vancouver Sun</ref> Laureen was formerly married to ]er Neil Fenton from 1985 to 1988.<ref name=kingston>Kingston, Anne, {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518172714/http://www.macleans.ca/canada/features/article.jsp?content=20070813_108157_108157&page=2 |date=May 18, 2011 }}, '']'', August 13, 2007</ref> The Harpers have two children: Benjamin and Rachel. Harper is the third prime minister, after Pierre Trudeau and ], to send his children to ], in ].
{{Commons2|Stephen Harper}}


In the late 1980s, he became an ], a member of RockPointe Church (]) in Bearspaw, a suburb of ], Alberta.<ref>{{Cite web| first= Douglas |last= Todd|title=Why Stephen Harper keeps his evangelical faith very private|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/why-stephen-harper-keeps-his-evangelical-faith-very-private| date= August 17, 2008|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=vancouversun|language=en-CA}}</ref> After moving to Ottawa in 2003, he became a member of East Gate Alliance Church.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Colin |last=Campbell |url=http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20060220_121848_121848&source=srch |title=The church of Stephen Harper |magazine=Maclean's |date=February 20, 2006 |access-date=August 2, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011104055/http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20060220_121848_121848&source=srch |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }}</ref>
<!-- Metadata: see ] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME=Harper, Stephen
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=22nd Prime Minister of Canada
|DATE OF BIRTH=], ]
|PLACE OF BIRTH=]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=}}


An avid follower of ], he has been a fan of the ] since his childhood in the Leaside and Etobicoke communities in Toronto.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/news/Harper+finish+book+Canada+sport/5889627/story.html|author=Kennedy, Mark|title=PM Harper set to finish book on Canada's sport|publisher=Postmedia News|date=December 20, 2011|access-date=January 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215010935/http://www.canada.com/news/Harper+finish+book+Canada+sport/5889627/story.html|archive-date=February 15, 2012}}</ref> Harper is also a fan of the ]. He published a book, '']'' (2013), which chronicles the growth of professional hockey, particularly in Toronto,<ref>{{cite news |last=Keller |first=Tony |url=http://theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/harpers-hockey-history-captures-the-pulse-of-a-young-canada/article15259351/ |title=A Great Game: Stephen Harper's hockey history captures the pulse of a young Canada |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, ON |date=November 6, 2013 |access-date=November 8, 2013}}</ref> and writes articles occasionally on the subject.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/News/article/164678|author=Harper, Stephen|title=Long before Leafs, T.O. had a team to call its own|work=The Star|date=December 23, 2006|access-date=October 17, 2008|location=Toronto|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001025133/http://www.thestar.com/News/article/164678|archive-date=October 1, 2008}}</ref> Harper appeared on ] (TSN) during the broadcast of the Canada–Russia final of the ]. He was interviewed and expressed his views on the state of hockey and his preference for an overtime period in lieu of a shoot-out.<ref>{{cite news|author=Tuck, Simon|title=Harper prefers 'team' approach to shootouts|work=Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070105.wsptharper5/BNStory/Front|date=January 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116020343/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070105.wsptharper5/BNStory/Front|archive-date=January 16, 2009}}</ref> In February 2010, Harper interviewed former ] greats ] and ] for a Saskatoon Kinsmen Club charity event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/02/18/david-akin-harper-howe-gretzky-shameless-totally-shameless.aspx|title=Harper, Howe, Gretzky. No leftwingers in sight|work=The National Post|date=February 18, 2010|first=David|last=Akin|author-link=David Akin|access-date=March 13, 2010}}{{dead link|date=March 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
]

]
Harper had a ] in an episode of the television show ''],'' which aired March 12, 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=410fd944-cf55-4760-b0f9-f5bfa9200dab|title=Don't quit your day job|work=The Regina Leader Post|date=August 30, 2006|first=Karen|last=Brownlee|access-date=December 6, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013134604/http://canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=410fd944-cf55-4760-b0f9-f5bfa9200dab|archive-date=October 13, 2007}}</ref> In October 2010, he taped a cameo appearance in an episode of the television show '']'', which aired July 20, 2011, during the show's fourth season.<ref name=CityNews20101015>{{cite news|url=http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/entertainment/news/article/96876--prime-minister-harper-shoots-cameo-on-murdoch-mysteries |title=Prime Minister Harper Shoots Cameo On Murdoch Mysteries |work=CityNews Toronto |publisher=] |date=October 15, 2010 |access-date=March 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629104848/http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/entertainment/news/article/96876--prime-minister-harper-shoots-cameo-on-murdoch-mysteries |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref><ref name=globeandmailcameo>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/harpers-murdoch-cameo-and-other-famous-political-pop-culture-mashups/article586714/|title=Harper's Murdoch cameo, and other famous political pop culture mashups|work=The Globe and Mail|publisher=Phillip Crawley|date=July 13, 2011|access-date=April 10, 2021|first=Anita|last=Li}}</ref>
]

]
Harper owns an extensive ] collection and is a fan of ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|first=A.|last=Dunfield|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040520.wcestwhatele0518/BNStory/specialDecision2004|title=Lighter side: C'est what?|work=The Globe and Mail|date=June 25, 2004|access-date=April 4, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626053148/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040520.wcestwhatele0518/BNStory/specialDecision2004/|archive-date=June 26, 2006}}'</ref> In October 2009, he joined ] on stage in a ] gala and performed "]". He was also accompanied by Herringbone, an Ottawa band with whom he regularly practices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Harper+changes+tune+gala/2064118/story.html |title=Harper gets on stage with a little help from his wife |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=October 2, 2009 |first=Joanne |last=Chianello |access-date=October 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006010946/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Harper%2Bchanges%2Btune%2Bgala/2064118/story.html |archive-date=October 6, 2009 }}</ref> He received a standing ovation after providing the piano accompaniment and lead vocals for the song.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/pm-gets-by-with-help-from-yo-yo-ma-1.797851|title=PM gets by with help from Yo-Yo Ma|publisher=CBC News|date=October 4, 2009|access-date=April 2, 2014}}</ref> Harper was part of a band called The Van Cats, a pun on "vingt-quatre" ("24" in French), referring to the prime ministerial residence of ].<ref name="d378">{{cite web | last=Pastuk | first=Slava | title=A Critical Review of Stephen Harper Covering Guns N' Roses | website=VICE | date=2014-12-11 | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-critical-review-of-stephen-harpers-band/ | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref><ref name="m675">{{cite web | first=Kyle | last=Hickey | title=Skinny jeans and sudden outbursts: A day on the road with Stephen Harper's band Van Cats | website=CBC | date=2016-03-30 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/comedy/funnystuff/skinny-jeans-and-sudden-outbursts-a-day-on-the-road-with-stephen-harper-s-band-van-cats-1.3631547 | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref>
]

]
He was the first prime minister to employ a personal stylist, Michelle Muntean, whose duties range from coordinating his clothing to preparing his hair and makeup for speeches and television appearances. While she used to be on the public payroll, she has been paid for by the Conservative Party since "some time 2007".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/stephen-harper-s-stylist-no-longer-on-public-payroll-1.513467|title=Stephen Harper's stylist no longer on public payroll|date=May 18, 2010|access-date=April 10, 2021|publisher=The Canadian Press}}</ref>
]

]
As of 2013, the Harper family had two cats, Stanley and Gypsy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jolivet |first=Lindsay |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-buzz/letter-writer-gets-reply-framed-cat-photo-prime-143208496.html?.tsrc=lgwn |title=Letter writer gets reply, framed cat photo from Prime Minister Harper &#124; Daily Buzz&nbsp;— Yahoo! News Canada |publisher=Ca.news.yahoo.com |date=March 21, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2013}}</ref> They have fostered other cats as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pm.gc.ca/eng/fostering-pets |title=Fostering pets |access-date=October 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011231016/http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/fostering-pets |archive-date=October 11, 2013 }}</ref>
]

]
==Electoral record==
]
{{Main|Electoral history of Stephen Harper}}
]

]
==Bibliography==
]
* '']''<ref>{{cite book |author= Stephen J. Harper|author-mask=1|date= 2013|title= A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs & the Rise of Professional Hockey|location= Toronto|publisher= ]|isbn= 978-1-4767-1653-4}}</ref>
]
* '']''<ref>{{cite book |author= Stephen J. Harper|author-mask=1|date= 2018|title= Right Here, Right Now: Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption|location= Toronto|publisher= Signal|isbn= 978-0-7710-3862-4}}</ref>
]

]
==See also==
] <!-- If you wish to delete this, please discuss it on the talk page. The cat is for current AND former members of the UCC and Harper grew up in it. -->
{{Portal|Canada|Politics}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ] The Harper cabinet
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|List of books about Prime Ministers of Canada}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Behiels |first1=Michael D. |title=Stephen Harper's Rise to Power: Will His "New" Conservative Party Become Canada's "Natural Governing Party" of the Twenty-First Century? |journal=American Review of Canadian Studies |date=2010 |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=118–145 |url=http://people.stfx.ca/x2009/x2009hpn/585505_770884626_919581663.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929122442/http://people.stfx.ca/x2009/x2009hpn/585505_770884626_919581663.pdf |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |doi=10.1080/02722010903545418|s2cid=144294198 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Hébert |first1=Chantal |title=French Kiss: Stephen Harper's Blind Date with Quebec |date=2007 |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf Canada |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-676-97907-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/frenchkissstephe0000hebe |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Cody |first1=Howard |title=Minority Government in Canada: The Stephen Harper Experience |journal=The American Review of Canadian Studies |date=March 2008 |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=27–42 |doi=10.1080/02722010809481819|s2cid=155065488 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Flanagan |first1=Tom |title=Harper's Team: Behind the Scenes in the Conservative Rise to Power |date=2009 |publisher=McGill-Queens's University Press |isbn=978-0-7735-3298-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F0WjzT3M01cC}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gutstein |first1=Donald |title=Harperism: How Stephen Harper and His Think Tank Colleagues Have Transformed Canada |date=2014 |publisher=Lorimer |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-4594-0663-6}}
* {{cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=William |title=Stephen Harper & the Future of Canada |date=2006 |publisher=Douglas Gibson |isbn=0-7710-4350-3 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mojDQdgGhQgC}}
* {{cite book |last1=Mackey |first1=Lloyd |title=The Pilgrimage of Stephen Harper |date=2005 |publisher=ECW Press |location=Toronto |isbn=978-155022-713-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/pilgrimageofstep0000mack |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book |last1=Martin |first1=Lawrence |author-link=Lawrence Martin (journalist)|title=Harperland: The Politics of Control |date=2010 |publisher=Viking Canada |isbn=978-0-670-06517-2}}
*{{cite book |last1=Plamondon |first1=Bob |title=Full circle: death and resurrection in Canadian conservative politics |date=2006 |publisher=Key Porter Books |location=Toronto |isbn=978-1-55263-855-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/fullcircledeathr0000plam |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Richter |first1=Andrew |title=A Defense Renaissance? The Canadian Conservative Government and the Military |journal=American Review of Canadian Studies |date=2013 |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=424–450 |doi=10.1080/02722011.2013.819586|s2cid=143987827 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Wells |first1=Paul |title=The Longer Im Prime Minister Stephen Harper And Canada 2006 |date=2013 |publisher=Random House |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-307-36132-5 |url=https://archive.org/stream/longerimprimemin0000well |url-access=registration}}

{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=1537235}}

{{Harper Government}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|ca}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]<br />for ]|years=1993–1997}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}

{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]<br />for ]|years=2002–2015}}
{{s-non|reason=Constituency abolished}}

{{s-new|constituency}}
{{s-ttl|title=]<br />for ]|years=2015–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}

{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=]<br />{{small|Interim}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the ]|years=2002–2003}}
{{s-non|reason=Party dissolved}}

{{s-bef|before=]<br />{{small|Interim}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the ]|years=2004–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=]<br />{{small|Interim}}}}

{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=2002–2004}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}

{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=2004–2006}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}

{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=]|years=2006–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}

{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of the ]|years=2010}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}

{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of the ]|years=2010}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
{{s-end}}

{{CanPM}}
{{Canadian federal opposition leaders}}
{{Canadian Conservative Leaders}}
{{Harper Ministry}}
{{Canadian federal election, 2015A}}
{{Canadian federal election, 2011A}}
{{Canadian federal election, 2008A}}
{{Canadian federal election, 2006A}}
{{Canadian federal election, 2004A}}
{{Canadian Newsmaker of the Year}}
}}
{{Subject bar
|commons = y
|d = Q206
|n = y
|q = y
|s = y
|s-search = Author:Stephen Harper
}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, Stephen}}
]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 08:28, 20 December 2024

Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015 For other people named Stephen Harper, see Stephen Harper (disambiguation).

The Right HonourableStephen HarperPC CC AOE
Photograph of Harper in 2010 wearing a dark suit, red tie, and a Canadian flag lapel pin.Harper in 2010
22nd Prime Minister of Canada
In office
February 6, 2006 – November 4, 2015
MonarchElizabeth II
Governors General
Preceded byPaul Martin
Succeeded byJustin Trudeau
4th Chairman of the International Democracy Union
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 21, 2018
DeputyBrian Loughnane
Preceded byJohn Key
Succeeded by
Additional offices held
Leader of the Opposition
In office
March 20, 2004 – February 6, 2006
Prime MinisterPaul Martin
Preceded byGrant Hill
Succeeded byBill Graham
In office
May 21, 2002 – January 8, 2004
Prime Minister
Preceded byJohn Reynolds
Succeeded byGrant Hill
Leader of the Conservative Party
In office
March 20, 2004 – October 19, 2015
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
May 13, 2002 – August 26, 2016
Preceded byPreston Manning
Succeeded byBob Benzen
Member of Parliament
for Calgary West
In office
October 25, 1993 – April 26, 1997
Preceded byJim Hawkes
Succeeded byRob Anders
Personal details
BornStephen Joseph Harper
(1959-04-30) April 30, 1959 (age 65)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political partyConservative (since 2003)
Other political
affiliations
Spouse Laureen Teskey ​(m. 1993)
Children2
Residence(s)Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Alma mater
SignatureVectorized signature of Stephen Harper.
Websitestephenharper.com
Stephen Harper's voice Recorded January 26, 2012

Stephen Joseph Harper (born April 30, 1959) is a Canadian politician who served as the 22nd prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He is the only prime minister to have come from the modern-day Conservative Party of Canada, serving as the party's first leader from 2004 to 2015.

Harper studied economics, earning a bachelor's degree in 1985 and a master's degree in 1991 at the University of Calgary. He was one of the founders of the Reform Party of Canada and was first elected in 1993 in Calgary West. He did not seek re-election in the 1997 federal election, instead joining and later leading the National Citizens Coalition, a conservative lobbyist group. In 2002, he succeeded Stockwell Day as leader of the Canadian Alliance, the successor to the Reform Party, and returned to parliament as leader of the Official Opposition. In 2003, Harper negotiated the merger of the Canadian Alliance with the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada to form the Conservative Party of Canada and was elected as the party's first leader in March 2004. In the 2004 federal election, the new party lost its first election to the Liberal Party led by Paul Martin.

The 2006 federal election resulted in a minority government led by the Conservative Party with Harper becoming prime minister of Canada. During his first term, Harper confronted the In and Out scandal, reduced the goods and services tax to five percent, and passed the Federal Accountability Act, the Québécois nation motion, and the Veterans' Bill of Rights. After the 2008 federal election, in which the Conservatives won a larger minority, Harper prorogued Parliament to defeat a non-confidence motion by a potential coalition of opposition parties, passed the Economic Action Plan of major personal income tax cuts and infrastructure investments in response to the Great Recession, introduced the tax-free savings account, and ordered military intervention during the First Libyan Civil War. In March 2011, a no-confidence vote found his government to be in contempt of Parliament, triggering a federal election in which the Conservatives won a majority government. During his third term, Harper withdrew Canada from the Kyoto Protocol, launched Operation Impact in opposition to ISIL, privatized the Canadian Wheat Board, repealed the long-gun registry, passed the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015, launched Canada's Global Markets Action Plan, and grappled with controversies surrounding the Canadian Senate expenses scandal and the Robocall scandal.

In the 2015 federal election, the Conservative Party lost power to the Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau. Harper officially stepped down as party leader on October 19, 2015, and resigned his seat on August 26, 2016. Since then, Harper has taken on a number of international business and leadership roles, founding a global consulting firm, appearing in US and British media, and being elected leader of the International Democracy Union.

Early life and education

Harper was born and raised in Leaside, a neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, the first of three sons of Margaret (née Johnston) and Joseph Harris Harper, an accountant at Imperial Oil. The Harper family traces its ancestral roots back to Sledmere, a village in Yorkshire, England, with Harper's 4th great-grandfather Christopher having emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1774, where he later served as justice of the peace in the area that is now New Brunswick.

Harper attended Northlea Public School and, later, John G. Althouse Middle School and Richview Collegiate Institute, both in Etobicoke, Toronto. He graduated from high school in 1978, and was a member of Richview Collegiate's team on Reach for the Top, a televised academic quiz show for high school students. Harper studied at the University of Toronto's Trinity College before moving to Alberta. In an attempt to establish independence from his parents, Harper dropped out of the University of Toronto and then moved to Edmonton, Alberta, where he found work in the mail room at Imperial Oil. Later, he advanced to work on the company's computer systems. He took up post-secondary studies again at the University of Calgary, where he completed a bachelor's degree in economics in 1985. He later returned there to earn a master's degree in economics, completed in 1991. Throughout his career, Harper has kept strong links to the University of Calgary. Trained as an economist, Harper was the first prime minister with an economics degree since Pierre Trudeau and the first prime minister without a law degree since Joe Clark.

Political beginnings

Harper became involved in politics as a member of his high school's Young Liberals club. He later changed his political allegiance because he disagreed with the National Energy Program (NEP) of Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government. He became executive assistant to Progressive Conservative (PC) Member of Parliament (MP) Jim Hawkes in 1985 but later became disillusioned with the party and the government of Brian Mulroney, citing the administration's economic policy. He left the PC Party the next year.

Harper was then recommended by the University of Calgary's economist Bob Mansell to Preston Manning, the founder and leader of the right-wing populist Reform Party of Canada. At that time, Harper "didn't see himself as a politician", Mansell told CBC News in 2002, adding, "Politics was not his first love."

Manning invited him to participate in the party, and Harper gave a speech at Reform's 1987 founding convention in Winnipeg. He became the Reform Party's chief policy officer, and he played a major role in drafting the 1988 election platform, otherwise known as the Blue Book, which helped form the principles and policies of the party. Harper was influenced by his political mentor, Tom Flanagan, when writing the book. Harper is credited with creating Reform's campaign slogan, "The West wants in!"

Harper ran for the House of Commons in the 1988 federal election in Calgary West and losing by a wide margin to Hawkes, his former employer. After Reform candidate Deborah Grey was elected as the party's first MP in a 1989 by-election, Harper became Grey's executive assistant, serving as her chief adviser and speechwriter until 1993. He remained prominent in the Reform Party's national organization in his role as policy chief, encouraging the party to expand beyond its Western base and arguing that strictly regional parties were at risk of being taken over by radical elements. He delivered a speech at the Reform Party's 1991 national convention, in which he condemned extremist views.

Harper's relationship with Manning became strained in 1992, because of conflicting strategies over the Charlottetown Accord. Harper opposed the accord on principle for ideological reasons, while Manning was initially more open to compromise. Harper also criticized Manning's decision to hire Rick Anderson as an adviser, believing that Anderson was not sufficiently committed to the Reform Party's principles. Harper resigned as the policy chief in October 1992.

Harper stood for office again in the 1993 federal election and defeated Jim Hawkes amid a significant Reform breakthrough in Western Canada. The National Citizens Coalition (NCC) ran a $50,000 print and television campaign against Hawkes but did not endorse Harper directly.

Member of Parliament (1993–1997)

Harper emerged a prominent member of the Reform Party caucus. He was active on constitutional issues and played a prominent role in drafting the Reform Party's strategy for the 1995 Quebec referendum. A long-standing opponent of centralized federalism, he stood with Preston Manning in Montreal to introduce a twenty-point plan to "decentralize and modernize" Canada in the event of a "no" victory. Harper later argued that the "no" side's narrow plurality was a worst-case scenario, in that no-one had won a mandate for change.

Harper has expressed some socially conservative views on certain issues. In 1994, he opposed plans by federal Justice Minister Allan Rock to introduce spousal benefits for same-sex couples. Citing the recent failure of a similar initiative in Ontario, he was quoted as saying, "What I hope they learn is not to get into it. There are more important social and economic issues, not to mention the unity question." Harper also spoke against the possibility of the Canadian Human Rights Commission or the Supreme Court changing federal policy in these and other matters.

At the Reform Party's 1994 policy convention, Harper was part of a small minority of delegates who voted against restricting the definition of marriage to "the union of one man and one woman". He opposed both same-sex marriage and mandated benefits for same-sex couples, but argued that political parties should refrain from taking official positions on these and other "issues of conscience".

Harper was the only Reform MP to support the creation of the Canadian Firearms Registry at second reading in 1995, although he later voted against it at third reading stage. He said at the time that he initially voted for the registry because of a poll showing that most of his constituents supported it, and added that he changed his vote when a second poll showed the opposite result. It was reported in April 1995, that some Progressive Conservatives opposed to Jean Charest's leadership wanted to remove both Charest and Manning, and unite the Reform and Progressive Conservative parties under Harper's leadership.

Despite his prominent position in the party, Harper's relationship with the Reform Party leadership was frequently strained. In early 1994, he criticized a party decision to establish a personal expense account for Manning at a time when other Reform MPs had been asked to forego parliamentary perquisites. He was formally rebuked by the Reform executive council despite winning support from some MPs. His relationship with Manning grew increasingly fractious in the mid-1990s, and he pointedly declined to express any opinion on Manning's leadership during a 1996 interview. This friction was indicative of a fundamental divide between the two men: Harper was strongly committed to conservative principles and opposed Manning's inclinations toward populism, which Harper saw as leading to compromise on core ideological matters.

These tensions culminated in late 1996 when Harper announced that he would not be a candidate in the next federal election. He resigned his parliamentary seat on January 14, 1997, the same day that he was appointed as a vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC), a conservative think-tank and advocacy group. He was promoted to NCC president later in the year.

In April 1997, Harper suggested that the Reform Party was drifting toward social conservatism and ignoring the principles of economic conservatism. The Liberal Party lost seats but managed to retain a narrow majority government in the 1997 federal election, while Reform made only modest gains.

Out of parliament (1997–2001)

Soon after leaving Parliament, Harper and Tom Flanagan co-authored an opinion piece entitled "Our Benign Dictatorship", which argued that the Liberal Party only retained power through a dysfunctional political system and a divided opposition. Harper and Flanagan argued that federal conservative governments between 1917 and 1993 were founded on temporary alliances between Western populists and Quebec nationalists, and were unable to govern because of their fundamental contradictions. The authors called for an alliance of Canada's conservative parties, and suggested that meaningful political change might require electoral reforms such as proportional representation. "Our Benign Dictatorship" also commended Conrad Black's purchase of the Southam newspaper chain, arguing that his stewardship would provide for a "pluralistic" editorial view to counter the "monolithically liberal and feminist" approach of the previous management.

Harper remained active in constitutional issues. He was a prominent opponent of the Calgary Declaration on national unity in late 1997, describing it as an "appeasement strategy" against Quebec nationalism. He called for federalist politicians to reject this strategy, and approach future constitutional talks from the position that "Quebec separatists are the problem and they need to be fixed". In late 1999, Harper called for the federal government to establish clear rules for any future Quebec referendum on sovereignty. Some have identified Harper's views as an influence on the Chrétien government's Clarity Act.

As president of the National Citizens Coalition (NCC) from 1998 to 2002, Harper launched an ultimately unsuccessful legal battle against federal election laws restricting third-party advertising. He led the NCC in several campaigns against the Canadian Wheat Board, and supported Finance Minister Paul Martin's 2000 tax cuts as a positive first step toward tax reform.

In 1997, Harper delivered a controversial speech on Canadian identity to the Council for National Policy, a conservative American think tank. He made comments such as "Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it", "if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians", and "the NDP is kind of proof that the Devil lives and interferes in the affairs of men." These statements were made public and criticized during the 2006 election. Harper argued that the speech was intended as humour, and not as serious analysis.

Harper considered campaigning for the Progressive Conservative Party leadership in 1998, after Jean Charest left federal politics. Among those encouraging his candidacy were senior aides to Ontario Premier Mike Harris, including Tony Clement and Tom Long. He eventually decided against running, arguing that it would "burn bridges to those Reformers with whom I worked for many years" and prevent an alliance of right-wing parties from taking shape. Harper was sceptical about the Reform Party's United Alternative initiative in 1999, arguing that it would serve to consolidate Manning's hold on the party leadership. He also expressed concern that the UA would dilute Reform's ideological focus.

When the United Alternative created the Canadian Alliance in 2000 as a successor party to Reform, Harper predicted that Stockwell Day would defeat Preston Manning for the new party's leadership. He expressed reservations about Day's abilities, however, and accused Day of " adherence to his social views a litmus test to determine whether you're in the party or not". Harper endorsed Tom Long for the leadership, arguing that Long was best suited to take support from the Progressive Conservative Party. When Day placed first on the first ballot, Harper said that the Canadian Alliance was shifting "more towards being a party of the religious right".

After the death of Pierre Trudeau in 2000, Harper wrote an editorial criticizing Trudeau's policies as they affected Western Canada. He wrote that Trudeau "embraced the fashionable causes of his time, with variable enthusiasm and differing results", but "took a pass" on the issues that "truly defined his century". Harper subsequently accused Trudeau of promoting "unabashed socialism", and argued that Canadian governments between 1972 and 2002 had restricted economic growth through "state corporatism".

After the Canadian Alliance's poor showing in the 2000 election, Harper joined with other Western conservatives in co-authoring a document called the "Alberta Agenda". The letter called on Alberta to reform publicly funded health care, replace the Canada Pension Plan with a provincial plan and replace the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with a provincial police force. It became known as the "firewall letter", because it called on the provincial government to "build firewalls around Alberta" to stop the federal government from redistributing its wealth to less affluent regions. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein agreed with some of the letter's recommendations, but distanced himself from the "firewall" comments.

Harper also wrote an editorial in late 2000 arguing that Alberta and the rest of Canada were "embark on divergent and potentially hostile paths to defining their country". He said that Alberta had chosen the "best of Canada's heritage—a combination of American enterprise and individualism with the British traditions of order and co-operation" while Canada "appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country ... led by a second-world strongman appropriately suited for the task". He also called for a "stronger and much more autonomous Alberta", while rejecting calls for separatism. In the 2001 Alberta provincial election, Harper led the NCC in a "Vote Anything but Liberal" campaign. Some articles from this period described him as a possible successor to Klein.

Harper and the NCC endorsed a private school tax credit proposed by Ontario's Progressive Conservative government in 2001, arguing that it would "save about $7,000 for each student who does not attend a union-run public school". Education Minister Janet Ecker criticized this, saying that her government's intent was not to save money at the expense of public education.

Day's leadership of the Canadian Alliance became increasingly troubled throughout the summer of 2001, as several party MPs called for his resignation. In June, the National Post newspaper reported that former Reform MP Ian McClelland was organizing a possible leadership challenge on Harper's behalf. Harper announced his resignation from the NCC presidency in August 2001, to prepare a campaign.

Leader of the Canadian Alliance (2002–2003)

Stockwell Day called a new Canadian Alliance leadership race for 2002, and soon declared himself a candidate. Harper emerged as Day's main rival, and declared his own candidacy on December 3, 2001. He eventually won the support of at least 28 Alliance MPs, including Scott Reid, James Rajotte and Keith Martin. During the campaign, Harper reprised his earlier warnings against an alliance with Quebec nationalists, and called for his party to become the federalist option in Quebec. He argued that "the French language is not imperilled in Quebec", and opposed "special status" for the province in the Canadian constitution accordingly. He also endorsed greater provincial autonomy on Medicare, and said that he would not co-operate with the Progressive Conservatives as long as they were led by Joe Clark. On social issues, Harper argued for "parental rights" to use corporal punishment against their children and supported raising the age of sexual consent. He described his potential support base as "similar to what George Bush tapped".

The tone of the leadership contest turned hostile in February 2002. Harper described Day's governance of the party as "amateurish", while his campaign team argued that Day was attempting to win re-election by building a narrow support base among different groups in the religious right. The Day campaign accused Harper of "attacking ethnic and religious minorities". In early March, the two candidates had an especially fractious debate on CBC Newsworld. The leadership vote was held on March 20, 2002. Harper was elected on the first ballot with 55% support, against 37% for Day. Two other candidates split the remainder.

After winning the party leadership, Harper announced his intention to run for parliament in a by-election in Calgary Southwest, recently vacated by Preston Manning. Ezra Levant had been chosen as the riding's Alliance candidate and declared that he would not stand aside for Harper; he later reconsidered. The Liberals did not field a candidate, following a parliamentary tradition of allowing opposition leaders to enter the House of Commons unopposed. The Progressive Conservative candidate, Jim Prentice, also chose to withdraw. Harper was elected without difficulty over |New Democrat Bill Phipps, a former United Church of Canada moderator. Harper told a reporter during the campaign that he "despise" Phipps, and declined to debate him.

Harper officially became the leader of the Official Opposition in May 2002. Later in the same month, he said that the Atlantic Provinces were trapped in "a culture of defeat" which had to be overcome, the result of policies designed by Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments. Many Atlantic politicians condemned the remark as patronizing and insensitive. The Legislature of Nova Scotia unanimously approved a motion condemning Harper's comments, which were also criticized by New Brunswick premier, Bernard Lord, federal Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark and others. Harper refused to apologize, and said that much of Canada was trapped by the same "can't-do" attitude.

In March 2003, their speeches in favour gaining no traction in Parliament, Harper and Stockwell Day co-wrote a letter to The Wall Street Journal in which they condemned the Canadian government's unwillingness to participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

As party leader, Harper sought to merge the Alliance with the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) to create a united right-of-centre party. The possibility of a united conservative party increased after Peter Mackay was elected Progressive Conservative leader in May 2003. On October 16, 2003, Harper and Mackay agreed to merge the two parties to form the Conservative Party of Canada. After 95 percent of Alliance members voted in favour of merging with the PCs and 90 percent of 2,486 PC delegates voted in favour of merging with the Alliance, the Conservative Party of Canada was founded on December 7, 2003.

Leader of the Conservative Party

See also: 2004 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election

On January 12, 2004, Harper announced his resignation as the leader of the Official Opposition in order to run for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. Harper was elected the first leader of the Conservative Party, with a first ballot majority against Belinda Stronach and Tony Clement on March 20, 2004. Harper's victory included strong showings outside of Western Canada.

2004 federal election

Main article: 2004 Canadian federal election

Harper led the Conservatives into the 2004 federal election. Initially, new prime minister Paul Martin held a large lead in polls, but this eroded because of infighting, Adscam (a scandal that came as a result of a Government of Canada "sponsorship program" in the province of Quebec and involving the Liberal Party of Canada) and other scandals surrounding his government. The Liberals attempted to counter this with an early election call, as this would give the Conservatives less time to consolidate their merger.

This, along with an unpopular provincial budget by Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty in Ontario, moved the Conservatives into a lead for a time. However, comments by Conservative MPs, leaked press releases accusing the then prime minister of supporting child pornography, as well as attack ads suggesting that the Conservatives had a secret agenda, caused Harper's party to lose some momentum.

The Liberals were re-elected to power with a minority government, with the Conservatives coming in second place. The Conservatives managed to make inroads into the Liberals' Ontario stronghold, primarily in the province's socially conservative central region. However, they were shut out of Quebec, marking the first time that a centre-right party did not win any seats in that province. Harper, after some personal deliberation, decided to stay on as the party leader.

Agreement with the BQ and the NDP

Two months after the federal election, Harper privately met Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton in a Montreal hotel. On September 9, 2004, the three signed a letter addressed to the governor general, Adrienne Clarkson, stating, "We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority." On the same day the letter was written, the three party leaders held a joint press conference at which they expressed their intent to co-operate on changing parliamentary rules, and to request that the governor general consult with them before deciding to call an election. At the news conference, Harper said, "It is the Parliament that's supposed to run the country, not just the largest party and the single leader of that party. That's a criticism I've had and that we've had and that most Canadians have had for a long, long time now so this is an opportunity to start to change that." At the time, Harper and the two other opposition leaders denied trying to form a coalition government. Harper said, "This is not a coalition, but this is a co-operative effort."

On October 4, Mike Duffy, who was later appointed as a Conservative senator by Harper, said: "It is possible that you could change prime minister without having an election." He added that some Conservatives wanted Harper to temporarily become prime minister without holding an election. The next day, Layton walked out on talks with Harper and Duceppe, accusing them of trying to replace Paul Martin with Harper as prime minister. Both Bloc and Conservative officials denied Layton's accusations. On March 26, 2011, Duceppe stated that Harper had tried to form a coalition government with the Bloc and NDP in response to Harper's allegations that the Liberals may form a coalition with the Bloc and the NDP.

Leader of the Opposition

The Conservative Party's first policy convention was held from March 17 to 19, 2005, in Montreal. Harper had been rumoured to be shifting his ideology closer to that of a Blue Tory, and many thought he'd wanted to move the party's policies closer to the centre. Any opposition to abortion or bilingualism was dropped from the Conservative platform. Harper received an 84% endorsement from delegates in the leadership review.

Despite the party abandoning debate over the two controversial issues, they began a concerted drive against same-sex marriage. Harper was criticized by a group of law professors for arguing that the government could override the provincial court rulings on same-sex marriage without using the "notwithstanding clause", a provision of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He also argued, in general, for lower taxes, an elected Senate, a tougher stance on crime, and closer relations with the United States.

Following the April 2005 release of Jean Brault's damaging testimony at the Gomery Commission, implicating the Liberals in the scandal, opinion polls placed the Conservatives ahead of Liberals. The Conservatives had earlier abstained from the vote on the 2005 budget to avoid forcing an election. With the collapse in Liberal support and a controversial NDP amendment to the budget, the party exerted significant pressure on Harper to bring down the government. In May, Harper announced that Martin's Liberals had lost the "moral authority to govern". Shortly thereafter, the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois united to defeat the government on a vote that some considered to be either a confidence motion or else a motion requiring an immediate test of the confidence of the House. The Martin government did not accept this interpretation and argued that vote had been on a procedural motion, although they also indicated that they would bring forward their revised budget for a confidence vote the following week. Ultimately, the effort to bring down the Martin government failed following the decision of Conservative MP Belinda Stronach to cross the floor to the Liberal Party. The vote on the NDP amendment to the budget tied, and with the speaker of the House voting to continue the debate, the Liberals stayed in power. At the time, some considered the matter to be a constitutional crisis.

Harper was also criticized for supporting his caucus colleague MP Gurmant Grewal. Grewal had produced tapes of conversations with Tim Murphy, Paul Martin's chief of staff, in which Grewal claimed he had been offered a cabinet position in exchange for his defection.

The Liberals' support dropped sharply after the first report from the Gomery Commission was issued, but rebounded soon after. Later that month, Harper introduced a motion of no confidence on the Martin government, telling the House of Commons "that this government has lost the confidence of the House of Commons and needs to be removed". As the Liberals had lost NDP support in the house by refusing to accept an NDP plan to prevent health care privatization, the no-confidence motion was passed by a vote of 171–133. It was the first time that a Canadian government had been toppled by a straight motion of no confidence proposed by the opposition. As a result, Parliament was dissolved and a general election was scheduled for January 23, 2006.

On February 27, 2008, allegations surfaced that two Conservative Party officials offered terminally ill, independent MP Chuck Cadman a million-dollar life insurance policy in exchange for his vote to bring down the Liberal government in a May 2005, budget vote. If the story had been proved true, the actions may have been grounds for charges as a criminal offence as under the Criminal Code, it is illegal to bribe an MP.

When asked by Vancouver journalist Tom Zytaruk about the alleged life insurance offer then-opposition leader Stephen Harper states on an audio tape "I don't know the details. I know there were discussions" and goes on to say "The offer to Chuck was that it was only to replace financial considerations he might lose due to an election". Harper also stated that he had told the Conservative Party representatives that they were unlikely to succeed. "I told them they were wasting their time. I said Chuck had made up his mind." In February 2008, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigated the allegations that Section 119's provisions on bribery and corruption in the Criminal Code had been violated. The RCMP concluded their investigation stating that there was no evidence for pressing charges.

Harper denied any wrongdoing and subsequently filed a civil libel suit against the Liberal Party. Because libel laws do not apply to statements made in Parliament, the basis of the lawsuit was that statements made by Liberal Party members outside the House of Commons and in articles which appeared on the Liberal Party web site made accusations that Harper had committed a criminal act.

The audio expert hired by Harper to prove that the tape containing the evidence was doctored reported that the latter part of the tape was recorded over, but the tape was unaltered where Harper's voice said "I don't know the details, I know that, um, there were discussions, um, but this is not for publication?" and goes on to say he "didn't know the details" when asked if he knew anything about the alleged offer to Cadman.

2006 federal election

Main article: 2006 Canadian federal election
Stephen Harper giving a victory speech to party members in Calgary after the Conservatives won the 2006 federal election.

The Conservatives began the campaign period with a policy-per-day strategy, contrary to the Liberal plan of holding off major announcements until after the Christmas holidays, so Harper dominated media coverage for the first weeks of the election. Though his party showed only modest movement in the polls, Harper's personal numbers, which had always significantly trailed those of his party, began to rise. In response, the Liberals launched negative ads targeting Harper, similar to their attacks in the 2004 election. However, their tactics were not sufficient to erode the Conservative's advantage, although they did manage to close what had been a ten-point advantage in public opinion. As Harper's personal numbers rose, polls found he was now considered not only more trustworthy, but a better choice for prime minister than Martin.

Immediately prior to the Christmas break, in a faxed letter to NDP candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis, RCMP commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli announced the RCMP had opened a criminal investigation into her complaint that it appeared Liberal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's office had leaked information leading to insider trading before making an important announcement on the taxation of income trusts. On December 27, 2005, the RCMP confirmed that information in a press release. At the conclusion of the investigation, Serge Nadeau, a top civil servant in the Department of Finance, was charged with criminal breach of trust. No charges were laid against Goodale.

The election gave Harper's Conservatives the largest number of seats in the House, although not enough for a majority government, and shortly after midnight on January 24, Martin conceded defeat. Later that day, Martin informed Governor General Michaëlle Jean that he would resign as prime minister, and at 6:45 p.m. Jean asked Harper to form a government. Harper was sworn in as Canada's 22nd prime minister on February 6, 2006.

In his first address to Parliament as prime minister, Harper opened by paying tribute to the queen of Canada, Elizabeth II, and her "lifelong dedication to duty and self-sacrifice". He also said before the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce that Canada and the United Kingdom were joined by "the golden circle of the Crown, which links us all together with the majestic past that takes us back to the Tudors, the Plantagenets, the Magna Carta, habeas corpus, petition of rights, and English common law". Journalist Graham Fraser said in the Toronto Star that Harper's speech was "one of the most monarchist speeches a Canadian prime minister has given since John Diefenbaker". An analysis by Michael D. Behiels suggested that a political realignment might be underway, based on the continuance of Harper's government.

After the election, the Conservative party were charged with improper election spending, in a case that became known as the In and Out scandal. It dragged on for years, but in 2012 they took a plea deal, admitting both improper spending and falsifying records to hide it.

Prime Minister of Canada (2006–2015)

This article is part of a series on
Conservatism in Canada
Schools
Principles
History
Intellectuals
Politicians
Commentators
Literature
Extant partiesFederal

Provincial

Historical partiesFederal

Provincial

Media
Other organizations
Related
Main article: Premiership of Stephen Harper

In July 2019, a group of independent academics published an assessment of past prime ministers of Canada based on the number of campaign pledges and promises fulfilled. According to the study, the Harper government fulfilled 85 per cent of its pledges (including partially-completed pledges). When factoring only completed, realized pledges, the Harper's government, in their last year, kept 77 per cent of promises. The study found that the governments led by Harper, in addition to the government led by his successor, Justin Trudeau, had the highest rates of follow-through for campaign promises of any Canadian government in the last 35 years.

Elections

2008 federal election

Main article: 2008 Canadian federal election

On October 14, 2008, after a 5-week-long campaign, the Conservatives increased their seat count in Parliament to 143, up from 127 at the dissolution of the previous Parliament; however, the actual popular vote among Canadians dropped slightly by 167,494 votes. As a result of the lowest voter turnout in Canadian electoral history, this represented only 22% of eligible Canadian voters, the lowest level of support of any winning party in Canadian history. Meanwhile, the number of opposition Liberal MPs fell from 95 to 77 seats. 155 MPs are required to form a majority government in Canada's 308-seat parliament, relegating Harper to minority government once again.

2008 parliamentary dispute and prorogation

Main article: 2008–2009 Canadian parliamentary dispute

On December 4, 2008, Harper asked Governor General Michaëlle Jean to prorogue Parliament to avoid a vote of confidence scheduled for the following Monday, becoming the first Canadian prime minister to do so. The request was granted by Jean, and the prorogation lasted until January 26, 2009. The opposition coalition dissolved shortly after, with the Conservatives winning a Liberal supported confidence vote on January 29, 2009.

2010 prorogation

See also: 2010 Canada anti-prorogation protests and Prorogation in Canada
Prime Minister Stephen Harper & Governor General Michaëlle Jean at 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games Heads of State Reception.

On December 30, 2009, Harper announced that he would request the governor general to prorogue Parliament again, effective immediately on December 30, 2009, during the 2010 Winter Olympics and lasting until March 3, 2010. Harper stated that this was necessary for Canada's economic plan. Jean granted the request. In an interview with CBC News, Prince Edward Island Liberal MP Wayne Easter accused the prime minister of "shutting democracy down". Tom Flanagan, Harper's University of Calgary mentor and former chief of staff, also questioned Harper's reasoning for prorogation, stating that "I think the government's talking points haven't been entirely credible" and that the government's explanation of proroguing was "skirting the real issue—which is the harm the opposition parties are trying to do to the Canadian Forces" regarding the Canadian Afghan detainee issue. Small demonstrations took place on January 23 in 64 Canadian cities and towns and five cities in other countries. A Facebook protest group attracted over 20,000 members.

A poll released by Angus Reid on January 7, found that 53 per cent of respondents were opposed to the prorogation, while 19 per cent supported it. 38 per cent believed Harper used the prorogation to curtail the Afghan detainee inquiry, while 23 per cent agreed with Harper's explanation that the prorogation was necessary economically.

2011 vote of no confidence

Harper's Cabinet was defeated in a no-confidence vote on March 25, 2011, after being found in contempt of Parliament. Harper thus, in accordance with constitutional convention, advised the governor general to call a general election. This was the first occurrence in Commonwealth history of a government in the Westminster parliamentary tradition losing the confidence of the lower house on the grounds of contempt of parliament. The no-confidence motion was carried with a vote of 156 in favour of the motion and 145 against.

2011 federal election

Main article: 2011 Canadian federal election

On May 2, 2011, after a five-week campaign, Harper led the Conservatives to their third consecutive election victory—the first time a centre-right party has accomplished this in half a century. The Conservatives increased their standing in parliament to 166, up from 143 at the dissolution of the previous parliament. This resulted in the first centre-right majority government since the Progressive Conservatives had won their last majority in 1988. The Conservatives also received a greater number of total votes than in 2008. Notably, the Conservatives had a significant breakthrough in southern Ontario, a region where neither they nor the Reform/Alliance side of the merger had done well in the previous two decades. They managed to win several seats in Toronto itself; no centre-right party had won seats in the former Metro Toronto since 1988.

The election ended five years of minority governments, made the New Democratic Party the Official Opposition for the first time, relegated the Liberals to third place for the first time, brought Elizabeth May as Canada's first Green Party Member of Parliament, and reduced the Bloc Québécois from 47 to 4 seats.

After the election, the Conservatives were accused of cheating in the Robocall scandal, mainly suppressing votes by directing voters to bogus polling stations. There were complaints in 247 of Canada's 308 ridings, but only one person was charged; Conservative staffer Michael Sona was convicted and jailed.

2015 federal election

Main article: 2015 Canadian federal election

Under the Canada Elections Act, a general election had to take place no later than October 19, 2015. On August 2, at Harper's request, Governor General David Johnson dropped the writs of election for October 19. In that election, Harper's Conservative Party was defeated by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, and became the Official Opposition, dropping to only 99 seats out of 338. This was mainly because of a collapse of Conservative support in southern Ontario, a region that swung heavily to them in 2011. They lost all of their seats in Toronto, and won only three seats in the Greater Toronto Area. They were also shut out of Atlantic Canada—the first time in decades that there were no centre-right MPs from that region. Harper was re-elected in Calgary Heritage, essentially a reconfigured version of his former riding.

Hours after conceding defeat on election night, Harper resigned as leader of the Conservative Party and returned to the backbench. Former Cabinet minister Rona Ambrose was elected interim leader by the Conservative caucus, pending a formal leadership election. Harper resigned as prime minister during a meeting with Governor General David Johnston, who accepted the resignation, after which Johnston invited Trudeau to form a government on November 4, 2015. After Andrew Scheer resigned as Conservative leader in 2019, the National Post criticized Harper, by stating that he "lost in 2015 in a way that left his party struggling to make any sense at all, including on deficits."

Domestic and economic policy

Main article: Domestic policy of the Harper government
Harper appearing at a gala at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto to celebrate the discovery of HMS Erebus, one of two ships wrecked during John Franklin's lost expedition.

Constitutional issues

After sidestepping the political landmine for most of the first year of his time as prime minister, much as all the post-Charlottetown Accord prime ministers had done, Harper's hand was forced to reopen the Quebec sovereignty debate after the opposition Bloc Québécois were to introduce a motion in the House that called for recognition of Quebec as a "nation". On November 22, 2006, Harper introduced his own motion to recognize that "the Québécois form a nation within a united Canada." Five days later, Harper's motion passed, with a margin of 266–16; all federalist parties, and the Bloc Québécois, supported it.

In 2004, Harper said "the Upper House remains a dumping ground for the favoured cronies of the prime minister". Between 2006 and 2008, by which time Harper was prime minister, he did not put any names to the governor general for appointment to the Senate, resulting in 16 Senate vacancies by the October 2008 election. The one exception was Michael Fortier. When Harper took office, he advised the governor general to appoint Michael Fortier to both the Senate and the Cabinet, arguing the government needed representation from the city of Montreal. Although there is a precedent for this action in Canadian history, the appointment led to criticism from opponents who claimed Harper was reneging on his push for an elected Senate. In 2008, Fortier gave up his Senate seat and sought election as an MP, but was defeated by a large margin by the incumbent Bloc Québécois MP.

After the October 2008, election, Harper again named Senate reform as a priority. By December, he recommended the appointment of 18 senators and, in 2009, provided an additional nine people for appointment as senators. Many of those appointed had close ties with the Conservative Party, including the campaign manager of the Conservative Party, Doug Finley. Critics accused Harper of hypocrisy (the Liberals coined the term "Harpocrisy"). Conservative senator Bert Brown defended Harper's appointments and said "the only way 's ever been filled is by having people that are loyal to the prime minister who's appointing them".

Economic management

Harper during the 'Special Address' at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum at the congress centre in Davos, Switzerland, January 26, 2012.

During Harper's tenure, Canada had budgetary surpluses in 2006 and 2007 of $13.8 and $9.6 billion respectively. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Canada ran deficits from 20082013. The deficit was $55.6 billion in 2009 and was gradually lowered to $5.2 billion in 2013. Harper cut both the GST and corporate taxes aggressively. In 2014, the federal budget was balanced with a surplus of $1.9 billion. For 2015–2016, the federal government initially projected a $1.4-billion surplus. Following Harper's defeat in the 2015 Canadian federal election and the change in party control, the 2015 fiscal year ended in a $1 billion deficit instead. In 2010, Canada had the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 economies. The Economist magazine stated that Canada had come out the recession stronger than any other rich country in the G7. In 2013, Canada came out with Global Markets Action Plan to generate employment opportunities for Canadians.

2011 Census

Ahead of the Canada 2011 Census, the government announced that the long-form questionnaire (which collects detailed demographic information) will no longer be mandatory. According to Minister of Industry Tony Clement, the change was made because of privacy-related complaints and after consulting with Statistics Canada. However, the federal privacy commissioner reported only receiving three complaints between 1995 and 2010, according to a report in the Toronto Sun.

Munir Sheikh, the chief statistician of Canada—appointed on Harper's advice—resigned on July 21, 2010, in protest of the government's change in policy. Ivan Fellegi, a former chief statistician, criticized the government's decision, saying that those who are most vulnerable (such as the poor, new immigrants, and aboriginals) are least likely to respond to a voluntary form, which weakens information about their demographic.

The move was opposed by some governmental and non-governmental organizations. Federation of Canadian Municipalities; the Toronto government; Canadian Jewish Congress; Evangelical Fellowship of Canada; Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; Canadian Medical Association; Statistical Society of Canada; the American Statistical Association; and Registered Nurses Association of Ontario all opposed the change. However, the Fraser Institute supported the change. The provincial governments of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Manitoba, also opposed the change.

Veterans

Under Harper, the annual budget of Veterans Affairs Canada increased from $2.85 billion in 2005–2006 to $3.55 billion in 2014–2015, while the quantity of veterans served has declined from 219,152 in 2008–2009 to 199,154 in 2015. Nine Veterans Affairs offices were closed between 2012 and 2015, and 900 positions were phased out from the department since 2009. Former-minister of veterans affairs Erin O'Toole stated that the closures were made to modernize the department, by moving services online and to Service Canada locations. In 2006, Harper implemented the New Veterans Charter passed with all party support by the previous Liberal government. This charter gave veterans the option to select a lump-sum payment, an annual installment over the number of years of a Veteran's choosing, or a combination of these two payment options. Under Harper, the Canadian government spent $700,000 fighting a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of wounded Afghan veterans who argued that the new charter was discriminatory.

Foreign policy

Main article: Foreign policy of the Stephen Harper government
President of Argentina Cristina Kirchner and Harper in Toronto, 2010.
Harper at the 2015 G-7 summit with Shinzō Abe, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, François Hollande, David Cameron, and Matteo Renzi in Bavaria, Germany.

During his term, Harper dealt with many foreign policy issues relating to the United States, the War on Terror, the Arab–Israeli conflict, free trade, China, and Africa.

He reduced defence spending to 1 per cent of Canadian GDP.

In 2009, Harper visited China. During the visit Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao publicly scolded Harper for not visiting earlier, pointing out that "this is the first meeting between the Chinese premier and a Canadian prime minister in almost five years"; Harper in response said that, "it's almost been five years since we had yourself or President Hu in our country." In 2008, former-prime minister Jean Chrétien had criticized Harper for missing opening ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; in response, Dimitri Soudas, a spokesperson for Harper, called the remarks hypocritical, pointing out that Chrétien "attended one of six Olympic opening ceremonies during his 13 [sic] years as prime minister".

On September 11, 2007, Harper visited Australia and addressed its Parliament.

On January 20, 2014, Harper addressed the Israeli Knesset in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.

During mid-2015, Harper repeatedly voiced his opinion that Russia should be excluded from association with the G7 group of nations because of Russia's support for Russian-speaking Ukrainian dissidents. On June 8, Harper said,"Mr. Putin ... has no place at the table, and I don't believe there's any leader who would defend Mr. Putin having a place."

Michael Ignatieff criticized Harper for cutting foreign aid to Africa by $700 million, falling short of the UN Millennium Development Goals, and cutting eight African countries from the list of priority aid recipients.

Afghanistan

On March 11 and 12, 2006, Harper made a surprise trip to Afghanistan, where Canadian Forces personnel had been deployed as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force since late 2001, to visit troops in theatre as a show of support for their efforts, and as a demonstration of the government's commitment to reconstruction and stability in the region. Harper's choice of a first foreign visit was closely guarded from the press until his arrival in Afghanistan (citing security concerns), and is seen as marking a significant change in relationship between the government and the military. Harper returned to Afghanistan on May 22, 2007, in a surprise two-day visit which included visiting Canadian troops at the forward operating base at Ma'Sum Ghar, located 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Kandahar, making Harper the first prime minister to have visited the front lines of a combat operation.

Israel

See also: International reactions to the 2006 Lebanon War
A banner criticizing Harper's response to the 2006 Israel–Lebanon conflict, Toronto.

Harper has shown admiration for Israel since the early 1990s. Friends and colleagues describe his views as being the product of thinking and reading deeply about the Middle East. Toronto rabbi Philip Scheim, who accompanied Harper to Israel in 2014 said, "I sense that sees Israel as a manifestation of justice and a righting of historical wrongs, especially in light of the Holocaust."

At the outset of the 2006 Israel–Lebanon conflict, Harper defended Israel's "right to defend itself" and described its military campaign in Lebanon as a "measured" response, arguing that Hezbollah's release of kidnapped Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers would be the key to ending the conflict. Speaking of the situation in both Lebanon and Gaza on July 18, Harper said he wanted "not just a ceasefire, but a resolution" but such a thing would not happen until Hezbollah and Hamas recognize Israel's right to exist. Harper blamed Hezbollah for all the civilian deaths. He asserted that Hezbollah's objective is to destroy Israel through violence.

The media noted that Harper did not allow reporters opportunities to ask him questions on his position. Some Canadians, including many Arab and Lebanese Canadians, criticized Harper's description of Israel's response.

In December 2008, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations recognized Harper's support for Israel with its inaugural International Leadership Award, pointing out Harper's decision to boycott the Durban II anti-racism conference, and his government's "support for Israel and efforts at the U.N. against incitement and ... the delegitimization of Israel".

In March 2009, Harper spoke at a Parliament Hill ceremony organized by Chabad-Lubavitch to honour the Jewish victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which included an attack on the Nariman House. He expressed condolences over the murder at Chabad's Mumbai centre of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka. Harper described the killings as "affronts to the values that unite all civilized people". Harper added that the quick instalment of a new rabbi at the Chabad centre in Mumbai as a signal that the Jewish people will "never bow to violence and hatred".

In 2010, Canada lost a bid for a seat on the UN Security Council. While initially blaming the loss on his rival Ignatieff, Harper later said that it was due to his pro-Israeli stance. Harper then said that he would take a pro-Israeli stance, no matter what the political cost to Canada. Ignatieff criticized Harper's stance as a "mistake", saying Canada would be better able to defend Israel through the Security Council than from the sidelines and pointed out that it is the Security Council that will determine if sanctions are imposed on Iran. Ignatieff also accused Harper of steering the discussion away from implementing the two-state solution, and instead of rendering all discussion into a competition "about who is Israel's best friend".

Harper backed Israel's 2014 war in Gaza and condemned Hamas. Harper said, "It is evident that Hamas is deliberately using human shields to further terror in the region."

Free trade with EFTA

On June 7, 2007, the Conservative government announced it had finalized free trade negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Under this agreement, Canada increased its trade ties with Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In 2006, the value of trade between these partners was $10.7 billion. Canada had originally begun negotiations with the EFTA on October 9, 1998, but talks broke down because of a disagreement over subsidies to shipyards in Atlantic Canada.

United States

See also: Canada–United States relations
Harper meets with US president Barack Obama in Ottawa, February 19, 2009.
Harper and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Haiti Ministerial Preparatory Conference addressing earthquake relief in Montreal, January 25, 2010.

Shortly after being congratulated by George W. Bush for his victory, Harper rebuked US Ambassador David Wilkins for criticizing the Conservatives' plans to assert Canada's sovereignty over the Arctic Ocean waters with armed forces. Harper's first meeting as prime minister with the US president occurred at the end of March 2006.

The government received American news coverage during the Democratic Party's 2008 presidential primaries after the details of a conversation between Barack Obama's economic advisor Austan Goolsbee, and Canadian diplomat Georges Rioux were revealed. Reportedly Goolsbee was reassuring the Canadians that Obama's comments on potentially renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) were more political rhetoric than actual policy. The accuracy of these reports has been debated by both the Obama campaign and the Canadian government. The news came at a key time nearing the Ohio and Texas primaries, where perceptions among Democratic voters was (and is) that the benefits of the NAFTA agreement are dubious. Thus the appearance that Obama was not being completely forthright was attacked by his opponent Hillary Clinton.

ABC News reported that Harper's chief of staff, Ian Brodie was responsible for the details reaching the hands of the media. Harper has denied that Brodie was responsible for the leak, and launched an investigation to find the source. The Opposition, as well as Democratic strategist Bob Shrum, criticized the government on the issue, stating they were trying to help the Republicans by helping Hillary Clinton win the Democratic nomination instead of Obama. They also alleged the leak would hurt relations with the United States if Obama ever were to become president. Obama was elected president in November. In February, Obama made his first foreign visit as the US president to Ottawa, in which he affirmed support for free trade with Canada, as well as complimenting Canada on its involvement in Afghanistan.

Environmental policy

Main article: Environmental policy of the Stephen Harper government
Stephen Harper visiting Vancouver Island University's Deep Bay Marine Field Station in 2010.

Since Harper's government took office in 2006, Canadian greenhouse gas emissions fell from 749 to 726 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq). From 1993 until 2006, during the previous Liberal government greenhouse gas emissions increased from 600 to 749 Mt of CO2 eq. The reduction corresponded Canada's decreased economic output during the Great Recession and emissions began increasing slightly in 2010, when the economy began recovering. Other significant factors in Canada's decreased emissions during Harper's tenure are initiatives such as the carbon tax in British Columbia, the cap and trade system in Quebec, Ontario discontinuing use of coal-fired power plants, and the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda which regulates emissions for automobiles and light trucks. In 2006, a Clean Air and Climate Change Act was proposed to address air pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions; it never became law. In 2006, the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA) was established to "support Government of Canada efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions in order to improve the environment and health of Canadians". In December 2011, the Harper government announced that Canada would formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. Environment Minister Peter Kent stated, "It's now clear that Kyoto is not the path forward for a global solution to climate change." In December 2012, Canada became the first signatory to formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol.

Renewable energy

Other federal initiatives include the 2011 loan guarantee towards the Lower Churchill Project in Labrador, which is scheduled for completion in 2017. The Lower Churchill's two hydroelectric installations at Gull Island and Muskrat Falls will have a combined capacity of over 3,074 MW and have the ability to provide 16.7 TW·h of electricity per year, which is enough to "reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 3.2 million vehicles off the road each year".

Public transit

In 2006, Harper introduced a Public Transit Tax Credit, where individuals could claim 15 per cent of the cost of a transit pass each year. From 2006 to 2013, the Harper government invested over $5 billion towards public transit projects in Canada. In 2006, the federal government provided $697 million towards the Toronto York–Spadina Subway Extension. In September 2013, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a federal contribution of $660 million towards the Scarborough Subway Extension.

Transparency

Starting in 2006, the Harper government implemented policies that had the effect of reducing transparency. During this government, scientists employed by the government were not able to speak with the media and inform the public of their findings without government permission, the government made significant cuts to research and other forms of data collection, and significant destruction and inaccessibility of government-held data and documents occurred.

During the Harper government, it was not possible for government-employed scientists to openly speak about the government policy that prohibited communication with the media. However, following the election of a new government in 2015, several scientists who were or had been employed by the government came forward to confirm the allegations made by anonymous sources during the Harper years.

The government made drastic cuts to scientific research and data collection. Over 2,000 scientists were dismissed and funding was cut from world renowned research facilities. Cuts were also made to many essential programs, some so deep that they had to shut down entirely, including the monitoring of smoke stack emissions, food inspections, oil spills, water quality, and climate change. During this time, the long form census was also discontinued as a mandatory part of the census. This was ostensibly due to privacy concerns, however, the number of complaints about privacy proved to be minimal.

The government closed a number of government libraries without consultation on the closings or the process involved. The manner in which it was done received significant criticism because it left the remaining information in disarray, inaccessible for research.

Appointments

Supreme Court

Harper chose the following jurists to be appointed as justices of the Supreme Court of Canada:

Senate

Harper, on January 29, 2010, advised the governor general to appoint new Conservative senators to fill five vacancies in the Senate, one each for Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, and two for Ontario. The new senators were Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, of Quebec; Bob Runciman, of Ontario; Vim Kochhar, of Ontario; Elizabeth Marshall of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Rose-May Poirier, of New Brunswick. This changed the party standings in the Senate, which had previously been dominated by Liberals, to 51 Conservatives, 49 Liberals, and five others.

Post-premiership (2015–present)

Conservative backbencher (2015–2016)

Harper returned to Ottawa as a Conservative backbencher and addressed a meeting of the Conservative caucus that included defeated MPs in November 2015. Interim leader Rona Ambrose stated that Harper would be in the House for key votes as the member for Calgary Heritage, but had earned the right to keep a low profile after his service as the prime minister. In February 2018, Harper stated that he could have still "easily" been leader of the Conservative Party, but he chose not to amass too much power in order to secure the party's fortunes in the future.

In December 2015, Harper had set up Harper & Associates Consulting Inc., a corporation that lists him a director alongside close associates Ray Novak and Jeremy Hunt.

Harper announced in May 2016 that he planned to resign his seat in the House of Commons during the summer before the fall session of Parliament. On May 26, 2016, he was named as a board member for the Conservative Party's fundraising arm. The Conservative Fund is noted to have influence on the party operations. Harper and other directors played a role in the removal of Harper–appointed Conservative executive director Dustin Van Vught to avoid backlash from donors and grassroots conservatives. In the same month, Harper delivered a speech to the 2016 Conservative Party convention where his accomplishments as party leader and prime minister were honoured by the party.

After politics (2016–present)

In October 2017, Harper received media attention for criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's handling of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement started by the United States under President Donald Trump, stating that Trudeau was too unwilling to make concessions to the U.S., sided too closely with Mexico, and tried to advance left-wing policies through the renegotiations.

On February 2, 2018, Harper revealed in a statement that he knew about the sexual assault allegations against then Conservative MP Rick Dykstra during the 2015 election but could not justify removing him as a candidate because the investigation was closed by police a year before the election.

Harper with Narendra Modi in India in 2018.

On March 26, 2018, Harper attended the international Fellowship of Christians and Jews Gala at Mar-a-Lago where he stated that he expressed support for US president Donald Trump's speech on Jerusalem. On May 9, he expressed support for Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran deal by lending his signature to an ad that appeared in The New York Times a day after the decision.

On November 19, 2018, Harper appeared on a show hosted by Ben Shapiro, where he made comments on issues such as populism, immigration and nationalism. The National Post noted that they "echo the argument made in his recently released book, Right Here, Right Now: Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption, which urges conservatives to listen to populist grievances, rather than focus on other priorities like tax cuts for the wealthy."

In January 2019, Harper appeared on a PragerU video explaining why Donald Trump was elected to the presidency in the 2016 United States election. Then in May 2019, he appeared on another PragerU video explaining reasons to support Israel amid the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Harper with Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan in 2019.

On March 11, 2021, during a virtual gathering hosted by the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, Harper claimed that the world has entered into a Second Cold War between the United States and China, and that middle-power countries such as Canada are also a part of the rivalry between the two main powers.

In 2021, Harper appeared on the podcast American Optimist, hosted by Joe Lonsdale. In the interview, Harper criticized the Trudeau government's large-scale deficit spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it "overkill". He also criticized "woke culture".

On July 25, 2022, Harper endorsed his former cabinet minister Pierre Poilievre for the leadership of the Conservative Party. This was the first time Harper endorsed a federal Conservative leadership candidate; he previously chose not to in the 2017 and 2020 leadership elections.

In September 2022, Harper attended Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral, along with other former Canadian prime ministers.

On March 22, 2023, during a conservative conference in Ottawa, Harper criticized the Trudeau government's handling of Chinese government interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. He also criticized the NDP, calling them a "branch plant of the Liberal party" and argued that the party got "nothing" out of its confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberal Party.

In April 2023, Harper endorsed Albertan Premier Danielle Smith for the 2023 Albertan provincial election.

In November 2024, Harper was named as Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) Chair by Premier Danielle Smith.

Honours


Ribbon Description Notes
Companion of the Order of Canada
  • 2019: For his long-standing career in politics and for his service to the nation as the 22nd prime minister of Canada.
Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence
  • 2023: For his long-standing career in politics and for his service to the province of Alberta.
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for Canada
  • 2002: As the leader of the Official Opposition and a member of Parliament, Harper was awarded the medal as a member of the Canadian order of precedence.
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Canada
Alberta Centennial Medal
  • 2005
  • As a prominent Albertan, as a member of Parliament and in particular, leader of the Official Opposition, Harper was awarded with the Alberta Centennial Medal.

Harper received the Woodrow Wilson Award on October 6, 2006, for his public service in Calgary. The awards ceremony was held at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, the same place where he made his victory speech.

Time magazine also named him as Canada's Newsmaker of the Year in 2006. Stephen Handelman wrote "that the prime minister who was once dismissed as a doctrinaire backroom tactician with no experience in government has emerged as a warrior in power".

On June 27, 2008, Harper was awarded the Presidential Gold Medallion for Humanitarianism by B'nai B'rith International. He is the first Canadian to be awarded this medal.

On July 11, 2011, Harper was honoured by Alberta's Blood tribe. He was made Honorary Chief of the Kainai Nation during a ceremony, in which they recognized him for making an official apology on behalf of the Government of Canada for the residential schools abuse. Harper issued this apology in 2008. The chief of the tribe explained that he believes the apology officially started the healing and rebuilding of relations between the federal and native councils. Lester B. Pearson, John Diefenbaker, and Jean Chrétien are the only other prime ministers of Canada to have been awarded the same honorary title.

On September 27, 2012, Harper received the World Statesman of the Year award. This award was offered through a US group of various faith representatives. This occurred at a black tie banquet in New York. Jean Chrétien was one of the previous recipients from Canada.

In August 2016 President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine awarded Stephen Harper with the highest award for foreigners–the Order of Liberty.

In December 2019, it was announced by Governor General Julie Payette that Harper had been appointed as a Companion of the Order of Canada. He was formally invested on September 18, 2022, by Governor General Mary Simon in London in a ceremony attended by incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and former prime ministers Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and former Governors-General Michaëlle Jean and David Johnston.

In 2023, he was appointed a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence, the province's civilian honour for merit.

Honorary degrees

Honorary degrees
Location Date School Degree
 Israel January 22, 2014 Tel Aviv University Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (June 2018)

Personal life

Stephen Harper and former CFL player Larry Smith watching a 2012 football game in Montreal.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaking at 2009 Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Harper married Laureen Teskey on December 11, 1993. Laureen was formerly married to New Zealander Neil Fenton from 1985 to 1988. The Harpers have two children: Benjamin and Rachel. Harper is the third prime minister, after Pierre Trudeau and John Turner, to send his children to Rockcliffe Park Public School, in Ottawa.

In the late 1980s, he became an evangelical Christian, a member of RockPointe Church (Christian and Missionary Alliance) in Bearspaw, a suburb of Calgary, Alberta. After moving to Ottawa in 2003, he became a member of East Gate Alliance Church.

An avid follower of ice hockey, he has been a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs since his childhood in the Leaside and Etobicoke communities in Toronto. Harper is also a fan of the Calgary Flames. He published a book, A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and the Rise of Professional Hockey (2013), which chronicles the growth of professional hockey, particularly in Toronto, and writes articles occasionally on the subject. Harper appeared on The Sports Network (TSN) during the broadcast of the Canada–Russia final of the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was interviewed and expressed his views on the state of hockey and his preference for an overtime period in lieu of a shoot-out. In February 2010, Harper interviewed former National Hockey League greats Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe for a Saskatoon Kinsmen Club charity event.

Harper had a cameo appearance in an episode of the television show Corner Gas, which aired March 12, 2007. In October 2010, he taped a cameo appearance in an episode of the television show Murdoch Mysteries, which aired July 20, 2011, during the show's fourth season.

Harper owns an extensive vinyl record collection and is a fan of The Beatles and AC/DC. In October 2009, he joined Yo-Yo Ma on stage in a National Arts Centre gala and performed "With a Little Help from My Friends". He was also accompanied by Herringbone, an Ottawa band with whom he regularly practices. He received a standing ovation after providing the piano accompaniment and lead vocals for the song. Harper was part of a band called The Van Cats, a pun on "vingt-quatre" ("24" in French), referring to the prime ministerial residence of 24 Sussex Drive.

He was the first prime minister to employ a personal stylist, Michelle Muntean, whose duties range from coordinating his clothing to preparing his hair and makeup for speeches and television appearances. While she used to be on the public payroll, she has been paid for by the Conservative Party since "some time 2007".

As of 2013, the Harper family had two cats, Stanley and Gypsy. They have fostered other cats as well.

Electoral record

Main article: Electoral history of Stephen Harper

Bibliography

See also

Notes

  1. International Democrat Union until 2023.

References

  1. Ballingall, Alex (October 19, 2015). "What it's like living in Stephen Harper's old house". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  2. William Johnson, Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada, p. 7
  3. MacGregor, Roy. "Tracing the Prime Minister's family tree". Globe & Mail. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  4. Al Smith, "Prime Minister Harper's Tantramar Roots", in The White Fence: Newsletter of the Tantramar Heritage Trust, Issue # 45, April 2010. Accessed April 10, 2021.
  5. O'Connor, Naoibh,"'Nerds' tops in Canada". Archived from the original on October 19, 2006. Retrieved October 9, 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link), The Vancouver Courier, August 5, 2004. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
  6. ^ William Johnson, Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada, p. 12
  7. Harrison, Trevor W., (2012) "Stephen Harper." The Canadian Encyclopedia Historica Canada last ed. June 11, 2015.
  8. "Politicians now more likely to be businessmen than lawyers". thestar.com. February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  9. "Stephen Harper". Canadian Content. Archived from the original on October 28, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  10. William Johnson, Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada, p. 19
  11. "Stephen Harper". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 14, 2003. Retrieved October 9, 2021. Harper had been involved with the Progressive Conservative party since 1981 and after graduating he took a job as executive assistant to Jim Hawkes, the Tories' MP for Calgary West. That lasted until 1986, when Harper experienced what Preston Manning called "profound disillusionment" with the Conservative government in Ottawa, especially their economic and fiscal policy.
  12. "Longtime Calgary MP Jim Hawkes has died at 84". CBC News. May 9, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  13. "CBC.CA - Stephen Harper profile". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 14, 2003. Retrieved October 9, 2021. Harper had been involved with the Progressive Conservative party since 1981 and after graduating he took a job as executive assistant to Jim Hawkes, the Tories' MP for Calgary West. That lasted until 1986, when Harper experienced what Preston Manning called "profound disillusionment" with the Conservative government in Ottawa, especially their economic and fiscal policy.
  14. ^ Schwartz, Daniel (April 4, 2002). "Stephen Harper". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 14, 2003.
  15. McDonald, Marci (October 12, 2004). "The Man behind Stephen Harper". The Walrus. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  16. "Cover". contentdm.ucalgary.ca. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  17. Bratt, Duane (January 2, 2018). "Implementing the Reform Party agenda: the roots of Stephen Harper's foreign policy". Canadian Foreign Policy Journal. 24 (1): 1–17. doi:10.1080/11926422.2017.1359195. ISSN 1192-6422. S2CID 158332437.
  18. "Tory candidates' anti-immigrant rhetoric an act of self-destruction". Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  19. Murphy, Rex (March 22, 2007). "Rex Murphy: Stephen Harper's new priority". cbc.ca. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  20. Geoff White, "Ottawa will be hearing from Reform MP", Calgary Herald, April 21, 1989, pg. A5.
  21. Paul Gessell, "The "other' parties are picking up big followings", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, October 26, 1990, A9.
  22. George Oake, "Reform Party tries to avoid appearance of extremism", Toronto Star, April 6, 1991, pg. A12
  23. William Johnson, Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada, (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 2005), pp. 179–83
  24. "John Robson: Why should Maxime Bernier wait? Haven't we all waited long enough? | National Post". National Post. August 28, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  25. Kenneth Whyte, "The right-wingers duke it out in the Calgary West corral", The Globe and Mail, October 2, 1993, pg. D2
  26. Neville Nankivell, "Reform's voice will grow louder", Financial Post, October 31, 1995, p. 23
  27. "Harris joins other leaders in calling for change", Hamilton Spectator, October 31, 1995, pg. A1
  28. Dufour, Richard (January 20, 2006). "Who is Stephen Harper, the Conservative poised to be Canada's next prime minister?". World Socialist Web Site. International Committee of the Fourth International. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  29. Marta Gold, "Same-sex fight going to Ottawa", Hamilton Spectator, June 10, 1994, pg. A3
  30. Joan Crockett, "Robinson lays equality complaint", Hamilton Spectator, June 22, 1994, pg. A12
  31. Edward Greenspon, "Stephen Harper: a neo-con in a land of liberals", Globe and Mail, March 23, 2002, A17.
  32. Johnson, Stephen Harper, p. 222
  33. Susan Delacourt, "Charest, Manning dismiss reports of parties' merging", Globe and Mail, April 4, 1995, pg. A5
  34. Geoffrey York, "Reform MPs snarl at party rebuke", Globe and Mail, April 8, 1994, pg. A4
  35. Edward Greenspon, "Reform's renewal off to slow start", Globe and Mail, August 1, 1996, A4; Edward Greenspon, "Manning seeks to repeat party's surge", Globe and Mail, August 2, 1996, pg. A4
  36. Whyte, Kenneth (April 9, 1994). "That Manning and Harper would clash has always been a safe bet". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. p. D2.
  37. Ibbitson, John (January 14, 2006). "Who is Stephen Harper?". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009.
  38. "Harper, Manning and the path to power". Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  39. "Stephen Harper named A NCC Vice-President", Canada NewsWire, January 14, 1997
  40. "The old Stephen Harper was preferable". Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  41. Thomas Walkom, No title , Toronto Star, April 6, 1997, pg. A1
  42. Wilson-Smith, Anthony. "Distinct Societies | Maclean's | June 9, 1997". Maclean's | The Complete Archive. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  43. Harper, Stephen; Flanagan, Tom (1997). "Our benign dictatorship". Next City. Archived from the original on May 29, 1998. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  44. Susan Delacourt, "Seeds planted for opposition to unity plan", Globe and Mail, September 18, 1997, pg. A1
  45. Stephen Harper, "Why Chrétien mustn't flag", Globe and Mail, December 2, 1999, pg. A17
  46. Chantal Hebert, "Harper takes pragmatic approach to Quebec", Toronto Star, April 26, 2002, pg. A25
  47. Daniel Leblanc, "Groups vow to fight new election bill", Globe and Mail, June 8, 1999, pg. A4; "Gagged by statute", National Post, June 8, 2000, pg. A19
  48. National Citizen's Coalition, "NCC To Back New Court Challenge To Wheat Board Monopoly", Canada NewsWire, February 9, 1998, 11:15 report; National Citizen's Coalition, "NCC to blitz prairies with anti-Wheat Board radio ads", Canada NewsWire, August 25, 1999
  49. no title, Toronto Star, February 29, 2000, p. 1
  50. Full text of Stephen Harper's 1997 speech, CTV.ca, December 14, 2005
  51. Susan Riley, "Harper's suspect evolution", December 16, 2005, pg. A18
  52. Jack Aubry, "Battle lines being drawn up for ideological heart of Tories", Hamilton Spectator, April 7, 1998, pg. C3; David Frum was also mentioned as a possible supporter.
  53. Scott Feschuk, "Harper rejects run at Tory leadership", Globe and Mail, April 10, 1998, pg. A1
  54. Rosemary Spiers, "Preston Manning's fork in the road", Toronto Star, February 18, 1999, p. 1; "But who will lead it?", Globe and Mail, February 22, 1999, pg. A10
  55. Michael Taube, "United Alternative needs policy, not Reform party lite", Hamilton Spectator, February 25, 1999, pg. A14
  56. Tim Harper, "Bible belts", Toronto Star, June 17, 2000, p. 1
  57. "That sound you hear is the shifting of conservative ground", April 21, 2000, Globe and Mail, pg. A12
  58. Paul Adams, "Front-runner rides tide of religious conservatism", Globe and Mail, June 26, 2000, pg. A1
  59. Stephen Harper, "On second thought", National Post, October 5, 2000, pg. A18
  60. Stephen Harper, "Get the state out of the economy", National Post, February 8, 2002, pg. A14
  61. Stephen Harper, Tom Flanagan et al., "The Alberta Agenda" Archived November 18, 2004, at the Wayback Machine, National Post, January 26, 2001, A14.
  62. Jill Mahoney, "No 'firewall' needed around Alberta, Klein says", Globe and Mail, February 8, 2001, A9.
  63. Stephen Harper, "Separation, Alberta-style: It is time to seek a new relationship with Canada", National Post, December 8, 2000, A18.
  64. National Citizens Coalition, "NCC Ad Campaign Urges Albertans Not to Vote Liberal", Canada NewsWire, February 13, 2001, 11:45 report.
  65. Chantal Hebert, "Alberta, Quebec sing from same complaint book", Toronto Star, February 14, 2001, p. 1.
  66. Richard Mackie, "School tax-credit plan hailed as a money saver", Globe and Mail, June 19, 2001, A5.
  67. Sheldon Alberts, "Harper mounts campaign to lead the right: Behind the scenes", National Post, June 30, 2001, pg. A06
  68. National Citizen's Coalition, "Stephen Harper to Step Down as NCC President", Canada NewsWire, August 13, 2001
  69. "Number 28 for Harper". Canada NewsWire. March 6, 2002.
  70. "Six Alliance MPs declare or reaffirm support for Harper's leadership bid". The Canadian Press. December 7, 2001.
  71. "Five More MPs endorse Harper". Canada NewsWire. February 20, 2002.
  72. Harper, Stephen (January 19, 2002). "A vision of federalism for all Canadians". National Post. p. A18.
  73. Basu, Arpon (January 19, 2002). "Alliance candidate Stephen Harper says French not threatened in Quebec". Canadian Press.
  74. Laghi, Brian (December 4, 2001). "Harper launches campaign". The Globe and Mail. p. A8.
  75. Laghi, Brian (February 21, 2002). "Harper campaigns on social issues". The Globe and Mail. p. A4.
  76. Hunter, Ian (March 7, 2002). "The cult of policy". The Globe and Mail. p. A19.
  77. "No more Mr. Nice Guy in Alliance leadership race", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, February 4, 2002, pg. A3
  78. Robert Fife, "Day accused of courting evangelicals", National Post, February 9, 2002, pg. A06
  79. Campbell Clark, "Harper attacking minorities, Day leadership camp charges", Globe and Mail, February 12, 2002, pg. A12
  80. Brian Laghi, "Harper, Day swap insults in debate", Globe and Mail, March 8, 2002, pg. A4
  81. Dawn Walton, "Rookie Levant ready to run", Globe and Mail, March 28, 2002, pg. A8; Sheldon Alberts, "'Troubled' Levant lets Harper run", National Post, March 29, 2002, pg. A01
  82. "Alliance leader won't face Tories in byelection bid", Winnipeg Free Press, March 31, 2002, pg. A8
  83. Jeffrey Simpson, "He makes Harper think uncharitable thoughts", Globe and Mail, May 7, 2002, pg. A19; Phipps later said that he was "shocked" by Harper's language. See Louise Elliott, "NDP candidate slams Alliance leader for personal comment, refusal to debate", Canadian Press, May 9, 2002,
  84. Brian Laghi, "Motion by MLAs condemns Harper", Globe and Mail, May 31, 2002, pg. A5; The motion was brought forward by Nova Scotia NDP leader Darrell Dexter.
  85. Louise Elliott, "Harper calls Canada a nation of defeatists, defends remark about easterners", Canadian Press, May 29, 2002, 17:23 report; Brian Laghi, "Premiers tell Harper his attack was wrong", Globe and Mail, May 30, 2002, pg. A8
  86. "Edited Hansard * Table of Contents * Number 074 (Official Version)". Parl.gc.ca. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  87. Beers, David (January 25, 2006). "No Bush, please — we're Canadian". Tommy Douglas Research Institute. Salon.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  88. "Unite the right: Timeline". CBC News. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  89. "2004 Conservative Leadership Convention". CPAC. September 26, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  90. "Breakdown by riding". Conservative Party of Canada. Archived from the original on March 24, 2004. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  91. ^ Wells, Paul (July 12, 2004). "The Inside Story Of Canada's Nastiest Campaign". Maclean's. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  92. "Copps's battle a symptom of Liberal infighting". Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  93. "2004 General Election" (PDF). January 2005.
  94. "Are MP's remarks like 2004 again for Harper?". National Post. Postmedia. April 21, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  95. "Stephen Harper's campaign mistake - CBC Archives". CBC Television. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 20, 2004. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  96. Rose, Johnathan (March 1, 2006). "The Liberals reap what they sow: why their negative ads failed". Policy Options. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  97. Barton, Rosemary (December 3, 2019). "Why Scheer's defenders are pointing to the 2004 election now — and why the argument doesn't hold up". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  98. "What should the Conservatives do next?". Policy Options. September 1, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  99. ^ "Harper, Layton, Duceppe sought 'co-opposition' in 2004 letter to GG". Montreal Gazette. March 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011.
  100. "Letter to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  101. Frances Russell (March 30, 2011). "Deception, thy name is Harper". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  102. ^ Chung, Andrew (March 26, 2011). "Bloc leader accuses Harper of lying about coalition". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  103. Payton, Laura (March 26, 2011). "Harper wanted 2004 coalition: Duceppe". CBC News. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  104. "Looking Down From Canada: The Most Important Leader in the Free World: Stephen Harper". March 14, 2012.
  105. "Tories to launch anti-gay marriage ads". The Globe and Mail. January 19, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  106. Sarro, Douglas (2013). "Breaking the Bargain: A Comment on the Constitutional Validity of Bill C-7, the Proposed Senate Reform Act".
  107. Geddes, John (April 25, 2005). "The Incredible Sinking Prime Minister". Maclean's. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  108. Palmer, Randall (March 13, 2008). "Canadians don't want election now, opposition says". Reuters. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  109. "Commons amends budget in surprise midnight vote". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 24, 2005. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  110. Flanagan, Tom (June 1, 2011). "The emerging Conservative coalition". Policy Options. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  111. Krauss, Clifford (May 11, 2005). "Canadian Leader Rejects a No-Confidence Vote". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  112. ^ Bryden, Joan (May 30, 2005). "Damaged Goods". Maclean's. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  113. "The Confidence Convention and the May 2005 Vote on the Public Accounts Committee Report". Sfu.ca. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  114. "National Post, May 14, 2005". Canada.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  115. O'Neil, Peter (May 28, 2005). "Is he telling the truth? Doubts linger about Gurmant Grewal". Ottawa: Free Dominion. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  116. "Grewal releases secret tapes". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. May 31, 2005. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  117. ^ Clarke, Harold D.; Kornberg, Allan; Scotto, Thomas; Twyman, Joe (October 2006). "Flawless Campaign, Fragile Victory: Voting in Canada's 2006 Federal Election". PS: Political Science and Politics. 39 (4). American Political Science Association: 815–819. doi:10.1017/S1049096506060987 (inactive November 1, 2024). ISSN 1049-0965. JSTOR 20451824. S2CID 154724826.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
  118. Geddes, John (December 5, 2005). "My Name is Jack". Maclean's. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  119. "Liberals Lose Confidence of the House". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 28, 2005. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  120. Galloway, Gloria; Laghi, Brian. "Tories tried to sway vote of dying MP, widow alleges". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2008.
  121. "Conservatives made million-dollar offer to MP Cadman: book". CBC News. February 27, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  122. ^ "Liberals to RCMP: Investigate Tory bribe claims". CTV. February 28, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  123. ^ "PM files libel suit, Dion refuses to apologize". CTV News. March 13, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  124. Panetta, Alexander. "Harper heard on tape discussing financial inducements for late MP". The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on March 17, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  125. Leblanc, Dominic. "Letter requesting investigation to RCMP Commissioner William Elliot" (PDF). The Toronto Star. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  126. "No charges to be laid in Cadman affair: RCMP". CBC. May 16, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  127. "Canada PM sues opposition for libel". Agence France-Presse. March 13, 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  128. "Audio expert says Cadman tape not altered". cbc.ca. The Canadian Press. October 10, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  129. CTV.ca News Staff (January 11, 2005). "Harper seen as most trusted leader, poll finds". CTV.ca. Archived from the original on February 12, 2006. Retrieved September 21, 2006.
  130. "The Income Trusts Probe: FAQs". CBC.ca. February 15, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  131. "39th Parliament, First Session, Edited Hansard, No. 003, Wednesday, April 5, 2006". Parl.gc.ca. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  132. "Prime Minister Harper introduces Australian counterpart to Parliament". Pm.gc.ca. Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  133. Fraser, Graham (August 19, 2006). "PM shucks Reform roots for a royal connection". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  134. Michael D. Behiels, "Stephen Harper's Rise to Power: Will His 'New' Conservative Party Become Canada's 'Natural Governing Party' of the Twenty-First Century?", American Review of Canadian Studies Vol. 40, No. 1, March 2010, pp. 118–145
  135. Payton, Laura (November 10, 2011). "Conservative Party fined for breaking election laws". CBC News. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  136. Birch, Lisa; Pétry, François, eds. (July 2019). Assessing Justin Trudeau's Liberal Government. 353 promises and a mandate for change (first ed.). Quebec City: Presses de l'Université Laval. p. 262. ISBN 978-2-7637-4443-8. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  137. Blatchford, Andy. "New book examines Trudeau government's record of living up to pledges". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  138. "Governing with consent". Maclean's. August 28, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  139. Fox, Graham (November 2009). "MAKING MINORITY GOVERNMENT WORK" (PDF). p. 64. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  140. "Harper running away from Parliament". The Province. December 5, 2008. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
  141. "Canadian Federal Election of 2011". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  142. "Parliament prorogued: Necessary move or undemocratic?". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 30, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  143. "PM 'shutting democracy down', says Easter". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 31, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  144. "Gov't not 'credible' on proroguing: ex-Harper advisor". CTV News. January 12, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  145. Delacourt, Susan; Richard J. Brennan (January 5, 2010). "Grassroots fury greets shuttered Parliament". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  146. "Thousands protest Parliament's suspension". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 23, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  147. Galloway, Gloria (January 7, 2010). "Prorogation hurtles 'out of dusty law texts into the mainstream'". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  148. Government's defeat sets up election call. CBC News, March 25, 2011
  149. "Business of Supply (Division 204)". 40th Parliament, 3rd Session – Edited Hansard, No. 149, March 25, 2011. The motion presented by the Leader of the Opposition was "That the House agree with the finding of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs that the government is in contempt of Parliament, which is unprecedented in Canadian parliamentary history, and consequently, the House has lost confidence in the government."
  150. Yan, James. "The GOP Should Take a Page from Canada's Conservative Party". NAOC. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  151. "Quebec sovereignty movement anything but dead". thestar.com. May 5, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  152. Maher, Stephen; McGregor, Glen (February 27, 2012). "Elections Canada investigating 'robocalls' that misled voters". Global News. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  153. Coorsh, Karolyn (November 19, 2014). "Robocalls trial: Michael Sona sentenced to 9 months in jail". CTVNews. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  154. "Former prime minister Stephen Harper will leave federal politics". The Georgia Straight. May 25, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  155. "Stephen Harper resigns as Conservative leader". CTVNews. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  156. Dehaas, Josh (November 5, 2015). "Rona Ambrose elected interim Conservative leader". CTVNews. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  157. "How Justin Trudeau will officially become prime minister | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. October 22, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  158. "NP View: Pick a philosophy first, then a leader, Conservatives | National Post". National Post. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  159. CBC News (November 22, 2006). "Quebecers form a nation within Canada: PM". CBC.ca. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  160. Canadian Press (November 27, 2006). "Québécois motion passes, 266–16". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2006.
  161. ^ Brennan, Richard J. (August 27, 2009). "Harper appoints 9 to Senate". Toronto Star.
  162. ^ Steven Chase (October 15, 2008). "Harper targets Senate reform". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2008.
  163. "Fortier 'didn't want to run' in federal election" . CTV News. February 7, 2006.
  164. "Michael Fortier gets trounced by Bloc incumbent in Montreal-area riding". The Daily Courier. Kelowna, BC. Canadian Press. October 14, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  165. "Canada's deficits and surpluses, 1963-2014". CBC. March 18, 2014.
  166. "Federal government ran $1B deficit for last fiscal year". CBC. October 7, 2016.
  167. "Debt-to-GDP ratio shows Canada's strength". CBC News. February 24, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  168. "The least-bad rich-world economy: The charms of Canada – Good policies, good behaviour and good fortune: if only others could be as lucky". The Economist. May 6, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  169. "Canada's resilient economy: The Goldilocks recovery". The Economist. May 6, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  170. "Global Market Action Plan". Canada's Economic Action Plan. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  171. "Tories' new foreign-affairs vision shifts focus to 'economic diplomacy'". The Globe and Mail. November 27, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  172. "There Is More to Foreign Policy Than Trade". Canadian International Council. November 28, 2013. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  173. ^ Campion-Smith, Bruce (July 16, 2010). "StatsCan recommended move to voluntary census, Tony Clement says". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  174. ^ LAURA PAYTON, Parliamentary Bureau (July 14, 2010). "Few complaints about census: privacy commissioner". Toronto Sun. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  175. "A tale called Contempt: Ignatieff looks to spin master narrative to unseat Harper". Ottawa Citizen. March 27, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  176. Proudfoot, Shannon (July 21, 2010). "StatsCan boss quits over census changes". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  177. Ditchburn, Jennifer (July 1, 2010). "Former StatsCan head slams census decision by Tories". The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  178. On July 19, 2010, representatives from several following institutions signed a letter expressing their disapproval of the change:
  179. "Siddiqui: Gutting of census stirs opposition to Stephen Harper". The Star. Toronto. July 10, 2010.
  180. "Ditching census upsets faith groups". CBC. July 16, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  181. Perreaux, Les. "Bishops castigate Clement on census change". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on October 3, 2010.
  182. Campion-Smith, Bruce (July 15, 2010). "Axing long form census threatens health-care improvements, doctors warn". Toronto Star.
  183. Thorne, Stephen. "Don't mess with census, statisticians tell Tories". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  184. Gutstein, Donald (July 27, 2010). "Why Attack the Long Census?". The Tyee. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  185. "Census consensus eludes premiers: Several scold Harper". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  186. Veterans Affairs Canada. "Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC) budget has increased as the number of veterans has declined" (PDF). Veterans Affairs Canada.
  187. Veterans Affairs Canada. "90% of VAC budget goes to services". Veterans Affairs Canada.
  188. Zilio, Michelle (August 24, 2015). "9 ridings where anger over Veterans Affairs could hurt the Conservatives". CTV News. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  189. "Ask The Globe: Has Harper really increased spending on veterans?". The Globe and Mail. September 14, 2015. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  190. "New Veterans Charter". Veterans Affairs Canada. October 23, 2014. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  191. "New Veterans Charter". Veterans Ombudsman. August 15, 2014. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  192. The Canadian Press (January 28, 2015). "Feds spend $700,000 in court fighting veterans class-action lawsuit". Maclean's. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  193. "Mr. Harper Goes to War: Canada, Afghanistan, and the Return of "High Politics" in Canadian Foreign Policy" (PDF). 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  194. "Canadian Military Spending as a Percent of GDP". CIPS.
  195. Ibbitson, John (December 3, 2009). "China publicly scolds Harper for taking too long to visit". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  196. "Harper has messed up relations with China: Chrétien". August 19, 2008. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012.
  197. Tibbets, Janice. (August 19, 2008) "Harper Erred on Olympics: Chrétien", Windsor Star.
  198. "Harper praises Australian troops, elected senate". CTV News. September 10, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  199. "Stephen Harper's speech to the Israeli Knesset". CBC News. January 20, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  200. Terry Milewski (June 8, 2015). "Stephen Harper renews attack on Russia's Vladimir Putin over Ukraine". CBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  201. ^ Delacourt, Susan (November 2, 2010). "Harper has burned bridges abroad, Ignatieff says". Toronto Star.
  202. "PM hints Canada may stay in Afghanistan past 2009". CTV News. May 23, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  203. Csillag, Ron. Jweekly.com. January 23, 2014. January 23, 2014.
  204. "Harper sides firmly with Israel". The Globe and Mail. Canadian Press. July 13, 2006. Archived from the original on July 18, 2006.
  205. Blanchfield, Mike (July 19, 2006). "Neutral stance rejected". National Post. Archived from the original on August 7, 2006. Retrieved December 6, 2006.
  206. "Harper dodges questions on Israel-Lebanon crisis". Ottawa Citizen. Canada.com. CanWest News Service. July 17, 2006. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  207. "Presidents Conference to honor Harper" Archived December 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, December 4, 2008
  208. "Harper: Anti-Semitism 'pernicious'", Jewish Telegraphic Agency, March 13, 2009.
  209. "Cannon blames Ignatieff for Canada's UN vote loss". The Canadian Press. CBC News. October 12, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  210. ^ "Harper Says He'll Support Israel Even If It Hurts Canada Politically". Toronto: CityNews. November 9, 2010. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  211. Brennan, Richard J. (November 8, 2010). "Anti-Semitism on the rise here and abroad, PM says". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  212. "Stephen Harper accuses Hamas of using human shields, urges world leaders to side with Israel". National Post. July 13, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  213. "Canada — European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – Free Trade Agreement". Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. January 28, 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  214. Gloria Galloway (January 27, 2006). "Harper rebukes U.S. envoy over Arctic dispute". Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
  215. Panetta, Alexander (March 4, 2008). "Harper denies aide leaked Obama document". Ottawa: globeandmail.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  216. Parker, Jennifer (February 29, 2008). "Clinton Campaign Demands Obama Answers on NAFTA". ABC News. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  217. Brian Laghi (March 3, 2008). "Harper meddling in U.S. primaries, Democrats say". globeandmail.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  218. "PM denies top aide leaked Obama NAFTA memo". CBC.ca. March 4, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  219. "PM, Obama talk trade, Afghanistan, pledge 'clean energy dialogue'". CBC News. February 19, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  220. "National Greenhouse Gas Emissions". Environment Canada. April 17, 2015.
  221. Young, Leslie (August 7, 2015). "Reality check: Have greenhouse gas emissions decreased as the economy grows?". Global News. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  222. "Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations". Environment Canada. April 4, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  223. Geddes, John (April 4, 2014). "Aglukkaq touts emissions cuts, numbers tell another story". Maclean's. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  224. "Drew Hasselback: Federal guarantee gives Lower Churchill financing a sovereign touch". Financial Post. January 31, 2014.
  225. Boyd, David R. (February 28, 2012). "Little green lies: Prime Minister Harper and Canada's environment". iPolitics. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  226. Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier; Sam N.K. Banks; Kristen Douglas; Lynne C. Myers; Tim Williams (November 14, 2006). "Bill C-30: Canada's Clean Air and Climate Change Act". Parliament of Canada. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  227. "Clean Air Regulatory Agenda". Environment Canada. November 28, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  228. ^ Curry, Bill and Shawn McCarthy (September 6, 2012). "Canada formally abandons Kyoto Protocol on climate change". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  229. De Souza, Mike (December 14, 2012). "It's official: Harper government withdraws from Kyoto climate agreement". Postmedia. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  230. Kennedy, Mark (December 12, 2011). "Canada Pulling out of Kyoto Accord". National Post. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  231. "Lower Churchill Project: Ottawa Guarantees $6.2-Billion Hydroelectric Project On Muskrat Falls For Newfoundland And Labrador". The Huffington Post. August 19, 2011.
  232. "Lower Churchill Project". Nalcor Energy. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  233. "Harper pledges to support major $6.2 billion hydroelectric project". The Toronto Star. March 31, 2011.
  234. "Nixing of transit tax credit in federal budget draws ire". Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  235. "Minister Denis Lebel confirms Harper Government's record infrastructure investment will boost Canadian communities". Infrastructure Canada. June 1, 2013. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  236. Hendley, Nate (November 5, 2015). "On the Right Track". Canadian Metalworking. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016.
  237. "BUS RAPID TRANSIT SERVICE BREAKS GROUND IN MISSISSAUGA" (PDF). Metrolinx. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  238. "Harper pledges federal funding for Toronto's subway extension". The Globe and Mail. September 22, 2013.
  239. "Ottawa will help pay for Scarborough subway". The Toronto Star. September 22, 2013.
  240. "Major transit announcement incoming: Harper expected to boost TTC funding during Toronto visit". The National Post. June 18, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  241. ^ Evans Ogden, Lesley (May 5, 2016). "Nine years of censorship". Nature. 533 (7601): 26–28. Bibcode:2016Natur.533...26E. doi:10.1038/533026a. PMID 27147016. S2CID 4445904.
  242. ^ Leung, Marlene. "Hundreds of world's scientists urge Harper to end funding cuts". CTVNews. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  243. ^ "Harper government's muzzling of scientists a mark of shame for Canada | Toronto Star". thestar.com. March 15, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  244. ^ Klinkenborg, Verlyn (September 21, 2013). "Silencing Scientists". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  245. ^ "Scientists raise red flags over government research cuts". CBC News. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  246. ^ "That's no way to treat a library, scientists say | Toronto Star". thestar.com. January 12, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  247. "PM says his government encouraged RCMP to destroy disputed long-gun data". CBC News. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  248. ^ "Supreme Court appointments highlight a secret process". The Star.
  249. "SenateWatch: Five vacancies? Why not a baker's dozen instead?". CBC. January 3, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  250. ^ Lunn, Susan (December 10, 2015). "Former PM Stephen Harper will be in the House for key votes, Ambrose says". CBC News. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  251. "Stephen Harper says he could still 'easily' be Conservative leader". Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  252. ^ "Stephen Harper's next move: Heading up his own company". CBC News. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  253. Payton, Laura (May 25, 2016). "Stephen Harper Inc.: Former PM sets up company". CTV News. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  254. "Harper's Conservative Party fundraising role appears unprecedented, expected to mobilize base – The Hill Times". The Hill Times. January 23, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  255. ^ "Scheer facing an internal audit over use of Conservative Party funds | The Star". thestar.com. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  256. "Harper, other Conservative Fund directors fired party's top staffer to avoid donor backlash on tuition fees". Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  257. Panetta, Alexander (October 27, 2017). "NAFTA Negotiations 'Going Very Badly,' Stephen Harper Writes in Memo Blasting Trudeau Government". National Post. National Post (from The Canadian Press). Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  258. Quinn, Greg (October 11, 2017). "Trudeau's Predecessor Says It's Conceivable Trump Will Scrap Nafta". Bloomberg News. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  259. "Harper says he could not justify dumping Dykstra in 2015". CBC News. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  260. "Trump gets big cheers at Jewish-Christian gala at Mar-a-Lago". palmbeachpost. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  261. "Harper Shows Support For Trump's Iran Decision In Full-Page NYT Ad". HuffPost Canada. May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  262. "Former Canadian PM Harper in ad to Trump: 'You are right about Iran' | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  263. "'I have no time for illegal immigration,' Stephen Harper says on U.S. podcast". National Post. November 19, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  264. "Some moments from Stephen Harper's appearance on an American hard-right podcast". Toronto Life. November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  265. "Harper opines on Trump win, extols 'populist conservatism' in new video". CTV News. January 28, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  266. Prager, Dennis (August 6, 2019). "Don't Let Google Get Away With Censorship". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  267. "Former PM Stephen Harper sees new Cold War, this time between U.S. and China". CTV News. March 13, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  268. Boisvert, Nick (July 27, 2021). "Stephen Harper says Canada's pandemic spending has been 'overkill' in podcast appearance". CBC News. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  269. Boisvert, Nick (July 25, 2022). "Stephen Harper says Pierre Poilievre has the best chance to win the next federal election Social Sharing". CBC News. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  270. Major, Darren (September 15, 2022). "Prime minister, Governor General to be joined by Indigenous leaders at Queen's funeral". CBC.ca. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  271. Major, Darren (March 22, 2023). "Former PM Harper takes jab at Liberals over foreign interference". CBC News.
  272. "Former prime minister Stephen Harper backs Smith with video message". CityNews Edmonton. April 18, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  273. "Stephen Harper appointed to oversee Alberta's $160B AIMCo fund | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  274. Austen, Ian (November 23, 2024). "Alberta Breaks With the Canadian Pension Model". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  275. "Full list of new Order of Canada recipients". CBC News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  276. ^ "The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper". alberta.ca. Government of Alberta. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  277. "The Golden Jubilee Medal awarded to The Right Honourable Stephen Joseph Harper, P.C., M.P." Website of the Governor General of Canada. June 11, 2018.
  278. "The Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded to The Right Honourable Stephen Joseph Harper, P.C., M.P." Website of the Governor General of Canada. June 11, 2018.
  279. "Centennial Medal Recipients H–N". albertacentennial.ca. Archived from the original on October 10, 2006. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  280. Harris, Kathleen; Czekaj, Laura (October 14, 2008). "Conservatives back in minority power". North Bay Nugget. Sun Media. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  281. CTV News (December 17, 2006). "Time Magazine dubs Harper Cdn. newsmaker of 2006". CTV. Archived from the original on December 21, 2006.
  282. Andrew Mayeda (June 28, 2008). "PM calls UN conference an 'anti-Western hatefest'". National Post. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  283. "Harper honoured by Alberta's Blood Tribe", CBC News, The Canadian Press, July 11, 2011
  284. "Stephen Harper World Statesman", CBC News, The Canadian Press, September 27, 2012
  285. "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №340/2016". Office of the President. August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  286. "Full list of new Order of Canada recipients". The Canadian Press. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  287. Zimonjic, Peter. "Nobel laureate Donna Strickland, James Cameron, Inuk actor Johnny Issaluk among Order of Canada appointees". CBC News. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  288. "Former prime minister Stephen Harper invested into Order of Canada". CBC News. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  289. "Picture of Stephen Harper holding degree". ottawajewishbulletin.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  290. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Honorary Degrees Conferment Ceremony, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada". youtube.com. Tel Aviv University. January 23, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  291. PM-to-be's wife kept low profile Archived July 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Vancouver Sun
  292. Kingston, Anne, "Wife of the party" Archived May 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Maclean's, August 13, 2007
  293. Todd, Douglas (August 17, 2008). "Why Stephen Harper keeps his evangelical faith very private". vancouversun. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  294. Campbell, Colin (February 20, 2006). "The church of Stephen Harper". Maclean's. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved August 2, 2006.
  295. Kennedy, Mark (December 20, 2011). "PM Harper set to finish book on Canada's sport". Postmedia News. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  296. Keller, Tony (November 6, 2013). "A Great Game: Stephen Harper's hockey history captures the pulse of a young Canada". The Globe and Mail. Toronto, ON. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  297. Harper, Stephen (December 23, 2006). "Long before Leafs, T.O. had a team to call its own". The Star. Toronto. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  298. Tuck, Simon (January 6, 2007). "Harper prefers 'team' approach to shootouts". Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009.
  299. Akin, David (February 18, 2010). "Harper, Howe, Gretzky. No leftwingers in sight". The National Post. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  300. Brownlee, Karen (August 30, 2006). "Don't quit your day job". The Regina Leader Post. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2006.
  301. "Prime Minister Harper Shoots Cameo On Murdoch Mysteries". CityNews Toronto. Rogers Media. October 15, 2010. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  302. Li, Anita (July 13, 2011). "Harper's Murdoch cameo, and other famous political pop culture mashups". The Globe and Mail. Phillip Crawley. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  303. Dunfield, A. (June 25, 2004). "Lighter side: C'est what?". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006. Retrieved April 4, 2006.'
  304. Chianello, Joanne (October 2, 2009). "Harper gets on stage with a little help from his wife". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  305. "PM gets by with help from Yo-Yo Ma". CBC News. October 4, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  306. Pastuk, Slava (December 11, 2014). "A Critical Review of Stephen Harper Covering Guns N' Roses". VICE. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  307. Hickey, Kyle (March 30, 2016). "Skinny jeans and sudden outbursts: A day on the road with Stephen Harper's band Van Cats". CBC. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  308. "Stephen Harper's stylist no longer on public payroll". The Canadian Press. May 18, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  309. Jolivet, Lindsay (March 21, 2013). "Letter writer gets reply, framed cat photo from Prime Minister Harper | Daily Buzz — Yahoo! News Canada". Ca.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  310. "Fostering pets". Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  311. — (2013). A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs & the Rise of Professional Hockey. Toronto: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4767-1653-4.
  312. — (2018). Right Here, Right Now: Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption. Toronto: Signal. ISBN 978-0-7710-3862-4.

Further reading

See also: List of books about Prime Ministers of Canada

External links

Stephen Harper
Premiership
Policies
Legislation
Elections
Related
Family
Links to related articles
Parliament of Canada
Preceded byJim Hawkes Member of Parliament
for Calgary West

1993–1997
Succeeded byRob Anders
Preceded byPreston Manning Member of Parliament
for Calgary Southwest

2002–2015
Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament
for Calgary Heritage

2015–2016
Succeeded byBob Benzen
Party political offices
Preceded byJohn Reynolds
Interim
Leader of the Canadian Alliance
2002–2003
Party dissolved
Preceded byJohn Lynch-Staunton
Interim
Leader of the Conservative Party
2004–2015
Succeeded byRona Ambrose
Interim
Political offices
Preceded byJohn Reynolds Leader of the Opposition
2002–2004
Succeeded byGrant Hill
Preceded byGrant Hill Leader of the Opposition
2004–2006
Succeeded byBill Graham
Preceded byPaul Martin Prime Minister of Canada
2006–2015
Succeeded byJustin Trudeau
Diplomatic posts
Preceded bySilvio Berlusconi Chairperson of the Group of 8
2010
Succeeded byNicolas Sarkozy
Preceded byBarack Obama Chairperson of the Group of 20
2010
Succeeded byLee Myung-bak
Prime ministers of Canada
Leaders of the Official Opposition in Canada
Leaders of the Conservative Party of Canada and its antecedents
Liberal-Conservative (1867–1873)Macdonald
Conservative (1873–1942)
Progressive Conservative (1942–2003)
Reform (1987–2000)
Canadian Alliance (2000–2003)
Conservative (2003–present)
Cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper (2006–2015)
Stephen Harper
2015 Canadian federal election

Bold indicates parties with members elected to the House of Commons.

2011 Canadian federal election

Bold indicates parties with members elected to the House of Commons.

2008 Canadian federal election

Bold indicates parties with members elected to the House of Commons.

2006 Canadian federal election

Bold indicates parties with members elected to the House of Commons.

2004 Canadian federal election

Bold indicates parties with members elected to the House of Commons.

Canadian Newsmaker of the Year
Stephen Harper at Misplaced Pages's sister projects: Categories: