OTTAWA — A quick look at Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
Born: April 30, 1959, in Toronto.
Education: BA, MA in economics, University of Calgary.
Early career: Economist; computer programmer; parliamentary aide; president of National Citizens Coalition, a conservative advocacy group, 1998-2001.
Politics: Dabbled in Liberal and Progressive Conservative parties in early years; founding member of Reform party and its first chief policy officer; ran unsuccessfully for Reform in 1988. First elected to Commons as Reform MP in 1993, but did not seek second term. Elected leader of Canadian Alliance, March 2002; elected MP for Calgary Southwest, May 2002; elected leader of new Conservative Party of Canada, 2004, after helping to secure merger of Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties.
Family: Wife is graphic designer Laureen; two children, Ben and Rachel.
Quote: “I think if you look on balance I think this is a centre-right government... We tend to favour free enterprise and markets over government intervention. Low taxes over high taxes. We favour family tradition. We’re strong supporters of our traditional allies.”