22nd Prime Minister of Canada
Stephen Harper
Architect of the modern Conservative Party.
In officeFebruary 6, 2006 – November 4, 2015
PartyConservative
BornApril 30, 1959 · Toronto, Ontario
RidingCalgary Southwest / Calgary Heritage (Alberta)
Biography
An economist by training, Stephen Harper helped unite the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives into the Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. He won minority governments in 2006 and 2008 and a majority in 2011, governing for nearly ten years.
Key highlights
- Cut the GST from 7% to 5%
- Passed the Federal Accountability Act (2006)
- Delivered the formal apology for residential schools (2008)
- Guided Canada through the 2008–09 recession with the Economic Action Plan
- Created the Tax-Free Savings Account (2009)
- Won a majority government in 2011