Canada India Foundation (CIF).

Stephen Harper was sworn in as Canada's 22nd Prime Minister on February 6, 2006.

Mr. Harper has spent his political career standing up and speaking out for Canadians who work hard, pay their taxes and play by the rules. As Prime Minister, he's building a stronger, safer, better Canada that works for all of us.

In 2003, Mr. Harper co-founded the Conservative Party of Canada and went on to win the new party's leadership the following year. As Opposition leader, he did more than just oppose; he put forward bold, innovative ideas such as the Federal Accountability Act, the Public Transit Tax Credit and the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant - ideas he would later implement as Prime Minister.

On January 23, 2006, Mr. Harper led the Conservative Party to victory in Canada's 39th federal election.

In office, Mr. Harper has earned respect as a leader who knows where he stands, focuses on priorities and gets things done. The Harper government has delivered:

• Strong economic management including significant tax cuts for working families;
• An aggressive crack down on crime with tougher sentences and more police;
• Unprecedented family support including the Universal Child Care Benefit and Disability Tax Credit;
• Real action to clean up Canada's air, land and water including Canada's first emission targets for greenhouse gasses; and
• A vigorous defence and advancement of Canada's sovereignty and interests on the world stage.

Stephen Harper was born on April 30, 1959, in Toronto, Ontario. He moved to Alberta in 1978 to work in the petroleum industry and went on to obtain a Master's degree in economics from the University of Calgary. Originally elected as a Reform Party MP in the 1993 federal election, Mr. Harper was president of a national advocacy organization before re-entering politics.

Mr. Harper and his wife, Laureen, have two children, Benjamin and Rachel, and maintain a permanent home in Calgary.