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'''Stephen Harper''' is currently the current Prime Minister of [[Canada]] and leader of the [[Conservative Party of Canada]].

'''Stephen Harper''' is currently the 22nd Prime Minister of [[Canada]] and leader of the [[Conservative Party of Canada]].

==History==

==History==

Stephen Harper was born on April 30, 1959 in Toronto, Ontario.  He received a Master's degree in economics from the University of Calgary.

Stephen Harper was born on April 30, 1959 in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]].  He received a Master's degree in economics from the [[University of Calgary]].

As a young man, Harper briefly worked as an interin in [[Ottawa]] as an assistant to the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada]]. However he eventually grew frustrated and disillusioned with the party, which he saw as overly pragmatic, insufficently conservative, and hostile towards the interests of western Canada.  

As a young man, Harper briefly worked as an interin in [[Ottawa]] as an assistant to the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada]]. However he eventually grew frustrated and disillusioned with the party, which he saw as overly pragmatic, insufficently conservative, and hostile towards the interests of western Canada.  

Returning to Alberta, he joined forces with conservative activist [[Preston Manning]] and helped found the [[Reform Party of Canada]], a "true" conservative party designed to challenge the dominance of the Progressive Conservatives and then-PC Prime Minister [[Brian Mulroney]].

Returning to [[Alberta]], he joined forces with conservative activist [[Preston Manning]] and helped found the [[Reform Party of Canada]], a "true" conservative party designed to challenge the dominance of the Progressive Conservatives and then-PC Prime Minister [[Brian Mulroney]].

Harper proceded to be elected to Parliament in 1993 as a [[Reform Party of Canada]] member to represent the riding of Calgary West. In 1997 he declined to run for re-election, however, becoming frustrated with parlimentary politics and Manning's leadership of the Reform Party.

Harper proceded to be elected to Parliament in 1993 as a [[Reform Party of Canada]] member to represent the riding of Calgary West. In 1997 he declined to run for re-election, however, becoming frustrated with parlimentary politics and Manning's leadership of the Reform Party.

Mr. Harper is a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, a conservative evangelical Christian group, and is generally considered to have [[socially conservative]] views on most issues. He opposes [[gay marriage]] and [[abortion]] and supports [[capital punishment]]. During the [[2003 Iraq War]] his party was the only one in Canada that supported the United States and George W. Bush. In his past careers he has also been strongly critical of taxation, multiculturalism, constitutional concessions to [[Quebec]], and socialized healthcare.  

Mr. Harper is a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, a conservative evangelical Christian group, and is generally considered to have [[socially conservative]] views on most issues. He opposes [[gay marriage]] and [[abortion]] and supports [[capital punishment]]. During the [[2003 Iraq War]] his party was the only one in Canada that supported the United States and George W. Bush. In his past careers he has also been strongly critical of taxation, multiculturalism, constitutional concessions to [[Quebec]], and socialized healthcare.  

As Prime Minister, however, Harper has governed much more pragmatically. Canadian liberals often accuse Harper of being "right wing" and too similar to George W. Bush and American Republicans; analogies which are used to inflame anti-American sentiment in Canada. In the 2006 election Harper thus sought to distance himself from some of his strongly conservative positions of the past, usually by vowing to not persue a radical social agenda while in office, but instead focus on certain economic prorities.  

As Prime Minister, however, Harper has governed much more pragmatically. Canadian liberals often accuse Harper of being "right wing" and too similar to [[George W. Bush]] and American [[Republicans]]; analogies which are used to inflame anti-American sentiment in Canada. In the 2006 election Harper thus sought to distance himself from some of his strongly conservative positions of the past, usually by vowing to not persue a radical social agenda while in office, but instead focus on certain economic prorities.  

Regardless, as a minority Prime Minister whose caucus is still outnumbered by left-wing parties, Harper's ability to govern as a true conservative has been somewhat limited. He has, however, introduced reforms limiting Canadian gun control laws and may be able to implement a more conservative set of policies if his party wins re-election with a majority of the seats in the Canadian parliament.

Regardless, as a minority Prime Minister whose caucus is still outnumbered by left-wing parties, Harper's ability to govern as a true conservative has been somewhat limited. He has, however, introduced reforms limiting Canadian gun control laws and may be able to implement a more conservative set of policies if his party wins re-election with a majority of the seats in the Canadian parliament.