Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Prime Minister

Stephen Harper

Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician, economist, author, and former prime minister of Canada.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician and economist who served as Canada’s 22nd prime minister from 2006 to 2015. He was the first leader of the modern Conservative Party of Canada and remains active in international political and business roles.

Early life and entry into politics

Born in Toronto in 1959, Harper moved to Alberta and studied economics at the University of Calgary. He entered federal politics in the 1990s, became a key figure in the merger that formed the modern Conservative Party, and led the party to power in 2006.

Prime minister (2006–2015)

Harper led Canada through three consecutive election victories in 2006, 2008, and 2011. His tenure is associated with fiscal restraint, tax policy changes, and hosting major international summits. He governed for nearly a decade before the 2015 election.

Life after politics

Harper resigned from Parliament in 2016. He later moved into consulting, board roles, and international political work, including serving as chairman of the International Democracy Union. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.

In short

  • Served as Canada’s 22nd prime minister from 2006 to 2015.
  • First leader of the modern Conservative Party of Canada.
  • Won three consecutive federal elections (2006, 2008, 2011).
  • After politics, took on consulting and international leadership roles.
Canadian angle

Stephen Harper is a major figure in modern Canadian federal politics. His tenure shaped the Conservative Party and a decade of Canadian government policy, making him directly relevant to Canadian political history and current public debate.

Quick questions

Who is Stephen Harper?
Stephen Harper is a Canadian politician and economist who served as Canada’s 22nd prime minister from 2006 to 2015.
When was Stephen Harper prime minister?
Stephen Harper was prime minister from 2006 to 2015.
What party did Stephen Harper lead?
He led the Conservative Party of Canada, and he was its first leader after the party’s formation.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Harper
    Supports: Birth date; prime minister term; leadership of the Conservative Party; post-political roles.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-Harper
    Supports: Birth date and place; prime minister term.
  3. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/stephen-joseph-harper
    Supports: Canadian political biography and major significance.
  4. Government of Alberta — https://www.alberta.ca/aoe-stephen-harper
    Supports: Biographical overview; prime minister term; Alberta connection.
  5. House of Commons of Canada — https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/stephen-harper(1733)/roles
    Supports: Former member of Parliament status.
  6. International Democracy Union — https://idu.org/leadership/the-right-honourable-stephen-harper/
    Supports: Current role as chairman; residence in Calgary; post-office activities.
  7. Governor General of Canada — https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-109168
    Supports: Canadian honours and summary of accomplishments.