Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He was the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and a member of the House of Commons of Canada, representing the riding of Calgary Southwest. Harper's tenure as prime minister was marked by significant events, including the 2008 Canadian federal election and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He worked closely with other world leaders, such as Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and Vladimir Putin, on issues like the G20, G8, and NATO.

● Early Life and Education

Harper was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in Etobicoke and Leaside. He attended Northlea Elementary School and John G. Althouse Middle School before graduating from Richview Collegiate Institute. Harper then enrolled in the University of Toronto, where he studied economics and later transferred to the University of Calgary. During his time at the University of Calgary, he became involved in politics, joining the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and working on the campaign of Preston Manning, the founder of the Reform Party of Canada. Harper's early political influences included Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Margaret Thatcher.

● Career

Before Politics Before entering politics, Harper worked in the private sector, including a stint at the Imperial Oil company. He also served as the chief policy officer for the National Citizens Coalition, a conservative advocacy group. In the 1980s, Harper became involved with the Reform Party of Canada, which later merged with the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada to form the Conservative Party of Canada. Harper's experience in the private sector and his work with the National Citizens Coalition and the Reform Party of Canada helped shape his political views, which were influenced by thinkers like Ayn Rand, Ronald Reagan, and Brian Mulroney.

● Prime Minister of Canada

As prime minister, Harper's government implemented several significant policies, including the Federal Accountability Act and the Economic Action Plan. He also played a key role in international affairs, attending meetings of the G20 and the G8, and working with leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, and Silvio Berlusconi. Harper's government was also involved in several high-profile events, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2011 Canadian federal election. During his tenure, Harper worked closely with other Canadian politicians, such as Jim Flaherty, John Baird, and Peter MacKay, as well as international leaders like David Cameron, François Hollande, and Shinzo Abe.

● Post-Premiership

After losing the 2015 Canadian federal election to Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada, Harper resigned as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and was succeeded by Rona Ambrose as interim leader. Harper then left politics and established the Harper & Associates Consulting firm, which provides consulting services to clients around the world. He has also been involved in various international organizations, including the International Democrat Union and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Harper has written several books, including A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and the Rise of Professional Hockey, and has been recognized for his contributions to politics and public service, including being named a Companion of the Order of Canada.

● Personal Life

Harper is married to Laureen Harper and has two children, Ben Harper and Rachel Harper. He is a fan of hockey and has played the piano since he was a child. Harper has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the United Way. He has received several awards and honors for his contributions to politics and public service, including the Woodrow Wilson Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Harper's personal life has been influenced by his relationships with other politicians, including George W. Bush, Tony Blair, and Jean Chrétien, as well as his interests in music, sports, and philanthropy.