Stephen Harper

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With the federal election around the corner, polls suggest the Conservatives are on their way to a convincing victory. Though Prime Minister Stephen Harper has refused to say he hopes to form a majority government, few doubt he does. Harper has always gone for the brass ring.

In 1978, almost 30 years before becoming the 22nd prime minister of Canada, Harper graduated from a Toronto high school at the top of his class.

At Richview Collegiate Institute, he had been a member of the school’s team on the television quiz show, Reach for the Top. He had also been active in the Young Liberals Club.

He received both a bachelor’s degree and a masters degree in economics from the University of Calgary.

In 1993, Harper was elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Reform Party, but left the party following a disagreement with then-leader Preston Manning and got involved with the National Citizens Coalition, a group that promotes free enterprise and lower taxes.

In 2002, the 43-year-old Harper became leader of the Canadian Alliance, defeating sitting leader Stockwell Day. Harper returned to Parliament as opposition leader.

The following year, he orchestrated the merger of the Canadian Alliance with the Progressive Conservative Party to form the Conservative Party of Canada. Harper became party leader in 2004.

In the federal election that year, the Conservatives won 99 seats in the House of Commons, allowing Harper to continue as Leader of the Opposition.

His party fared even better in the 2006 general election, winning 124 seats in the House of Commons. Not enough for a majority, but enough to make Harper the prime minister.

As leader of a minority government, Harper has emphasized lower taxes and debt reduction. He has also won support for extending the Canadian mission in Afghanistan.

Harper’s government encountered some turbulence in early 2008, when allegations surfaced that Conservative Party officials had offered an independent MP a million-dollar life insurance policy in exchange for his vote in a 2005 budget vote. The RCMP launched an investigation. Harper denied any wrongdoing and even filed a civil libel suit against the Liberals.

Yet Harper’s approval rating has remained high, in part because he has overseen a robust economy, reduced taxes and lower debt. In a recent poll, more voters said Harper would be the best PM than the leaders of the other parties.

Once again, he is poised to reach for the top.