Stephen Harper facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
The Right Honourable
Stephen Joseph Harper
PC, MP, MA
22nd Prime Minister of Canada
In office
February 6, 2006 – November 4, 2015
Monarch Elizabeth II
Governor General David Johnston
Preceded by Paul Martin
Succeeded by Justin Trudeau
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Calgary Southwest
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 28, 2002
Preceded by Preston Manning
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Calgary West
In office
1993 – 1997
Preceded by James Hawkes
Succeeded by Rob Anders
Personal details
Born Stephen Joseph Harper
April 30, 1959 (1959-04-30) (age 59)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nationality Canadian
Political party Conservative
(2003–present)
Other political
affiliations		 Young Liberals
(c. 1974 – early 1980s)
Progressive Conservative
(1985–1986)
Reform
(1987–1997)
Canadian Alliance
(2002–2003)
Spouse(s) Laureen Harper
Children Benjamin and Rachel
Residence 24 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario (Official)

Calgary, Alberta (Private)
Alma mater University of Calgary
Occupation Economist
Religion Evangelical (Christian and Missionary Alliance)
Signature
Website Prime Minister of Canada

Stephen Joseph Harper (born April 30, 1959) was the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. He is a member and the former leader of the Conservative Party. He was elected in February 2006 and replaced Paul Martin as Prime Minister.

Harper was born in 1959 in Toronto, Ontario and lives in Calgary, Alberta. He is married to Laureen Teskey and has two children. He is the third Prime Minister, after Pierre Trudeau and John Turner, to send their children to Rockcliffe Park Public School, in Ottawa. Stephen Harper was Prime Minister for nine years, during which Canada hosted both the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games. Harper also hosted the G8 and G20 meetings.

Harper is a conservative and supports cutting government spending and taxes. As prime minister, he has cut the goods and services tax and approved a budget that would cut funding to several government programs. He has also shown support for the military and a bigger Canadian military presence in the northern part of Canada.

Though Harper did win the seat in the Calgary-Heritage riding during the October 19, 2015 federal election, the Conservative Party was defeated by the Liberal Party of Canada, which was led by Justin Trudeau and who succeeded Harper as Prime Minister. It was thereafter announced Harper would resign as party leader and had requested an interim leader be chosen to serve until a leadership election can be held.

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