Electoral history of Stephen Harper

This article is the Electoral history of Stephen Harper, the twenty-second Prime Minister of Canada. Harper served three terms from 2006 to 2015.

For the biography of Stephen Harper, see Stephen Harper.
This article is part of
a series about
Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
Elections
Leader of the Conservative Party
2004 leadership election
Leader of the Canadian Alliance

Harper was unsuccessful in his first general election as leader of the Conservative Party, which re-elected Prime Minister Paul Martin and the Liberals. However, two years later Harper defeated Martin in the general election of 2006 and formed a minority government. Harper was re-elected with a minority government in 2008, and then a majority government in the election of 2011.

Harper was defeated in the 2015 general election by Justin Trudeau, who succeeded him as prime minister. His successor as leader of the Conservative Party is Andrew Scheer.

Harper stood for election to the House of Commons eight times, first for the Reform Party, then for the Canadian Alliance, and finally for the Conservative Party. He was defeated on his first attempt, but elected the next seven times.

Harper took a break from electoral politics from 1998 to 2002, when he was the President of the National Citizens Coalition.

Following the 2015 general election defeat, Harper resigned as leader of the Conservative Party. He retired from politics in 2016.

Summary
Canada had ten provinces and three territories throughout Harper's time as Prime Minister.

Harper ranks sixth out of twenty-three prime ministers for time in office, serving consecutive terms totalling nine years, 271 days.[1] He is the third Conservative to win three elections, following Sir John A. Macdonald and John Diefenbaker, and the second-longest serving Conservative prime minister, after Macdonald.

Harper was the third prime minister from Alberta, the others being R. B. Bennett and Joe Clark.

Harper was originally from Ontario and a Liberal Party supporter, but in his early twenties he moved to Alberta. He became involved in Progressive Conservative politics and then gradually in the formation of the new Reform Party, working as Reform's chief policy officer. He served one term as a Reform Member of Parliament, but then resigned to become the president of the National Citizens Coalition (1998-2002).[2]

In 2002, Harper was elected leader of the Canadian Alliance, the successor to the Reform Party, and began merger talks with the Progressive Conservative party, known as the Unite the Right movement. After the merger was achieved, he became the first leader of the new Conservative Party of Canada, and led the party in the 2004 general election. Although defeated by Prime Minister Paul Martin and the Liberal Party, Harper and the Conservatives become the Official Opposition. Two years later, Harper and the Conservatives won the 2006 general election, forming a minority government. Harper successfully led the Conservative Party in the next two elections, being returned with a minority government in 2008, and then with a majority government in 2011. He was defeated by the Liberals led by Justin Trudeau in the 2015 general election. On election night, he announced he would be resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.[3][2]

Harper stood for election to the House of Commons eight times, all in Alberta ridings. He was unsuccessful in his first election (1988), but was elected the next five times (four general elections and one by-election).

Following his resignation as Conservative leader, Harper sat as a Conservative back-bencher in the Commons. In 2016, he resigned his seat and retired from politics.[4]

Federal general elections: 2004 to 2015

Harper led the Conservative Party in five general elections. He won three (2006, 2008 and 2011) and lost two (2004 and 2015). He won minority governments in the 2006 and 2008 elections, and a majority in the 2011 election. He lost the 2015 election to Justin Trudeau.

Federal general election: 2004
For information about the 38th Parliament, 2004 to 2005, see 38th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Harper and political events during the 38th Parliament, see Stephen Harper § Leader of the Opposition.

In his first general election as a party leader, Harper reduced Martin's government from a majority to a minority government. Harper retained his position as Leader of the Official Opposition.

Canadian Federal Election, 2004 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal Paul Martin113536.7%
Conservative Stephen Harper29929.6%
Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe5412.4%
  New Democratic PartyJack Layton1915.7%
  Independent–10.5%
Total 308 94.9%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 2006
For information about the 39th Parliament, 2006 to 2008, see 39th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Martin and political events during the 39th Parliament, see Stephen Harper § Prime Minister (2006–15).

In his second general election, Harper defeated Prime Minister Martin and formed a minority government.

Canadian Federal Election, 2006 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Conservative Stephen Harper112436.3%
Liberal Paul Martin210330.2%
Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe5110.5%
  New Democratic PartyJack Layton2917.5%
  Independent–10.6%
Total 308 95.1%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Member of Parliament after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 2008
For information about the 40th Parliament, 2008 to 2011, see 40th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Martin and political events during the 40th Parliament, see Stephen Harper § Prime Minister (2006–15).

In his third general election, Harper was re-elected with a minority government, defeating the new Liberal leader, Stéphane Dion.

Canadian Federal Election, 2008 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Conservative Stephen Harper114337.7%
Liberal Stéphane Dion27726.3%
Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe4910.0%
  New Democratic PartyJack Layton3718.2%
  Independent–20.7%
Total 308 92.9%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 2011
For information about the 41st Parliament, 2011 to 2015, see 41st Canadian Parliament.
For information about Martin and political events during the 41st Parliament, see Stephen Harper § Prime Minister (2006–15).

In his fourth general election, Harper was re-elected with a majority government, defeating the new Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff.

Canadian Federal Election, 2011 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Conservative Stephen Harper116639.6%
  New Democratic PartyJack Layton210330.6%
Liberal Michael Ignatieff33418.9%
Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe46.0%
Green Elizabeth May13.9%
Total 308 99.0%4
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of a third party when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; not a Member of Parliament after the election.
4 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 2015
For information about the 42nd Parliament, 2015 onwards, see 42nd Canadian Parliament.
For information about Martin and political events during the 42nd Parliament, see Stephen Harper § Conservative backbencher and departure from politics.

In his fifth general election, Harper was defeated by the new Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau, who formed a majority government.

Canadian Federal Election, 2015 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal Justin Trudeau118439.47%
Conservative Stephen Harper29931.9%
  New Democratic PartyThomas Mulcair34419.7%
Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe104.7%
Green Elizabeth May13.5%
Total 338 99.3%4
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of a third party when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Member of Parliament after the election.
3 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; leader of a third party after the election.
4 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal constituency elections: 1988, 1993; 2002 to 2015

Harper stood for election to the House of Commons eight times. He was defeated the first time, in the general election of 1988, but was elected the next seven times (six general elections and one by-election).

1988 Federal Election: Calgary West
Federal Election, 1988: Calgary West, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative X Jim Hawkes32,02558.5%
Reform Stephen Harper9,07416.6%
Liberal John Phillips6,88012.6%
  New Democratic PartyRichard D. Vanderberg6,35511.6%
Libertarian David Faren2250.4%
Confederation of Regions Brent Morin1700.2%
Total54,72999.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary West

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

1993 Federal Election: Calgary West
Federal Election, 1993: Calgary West, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Reform Stephen Harper30,20952.2%
Liberal Karen Gainer15,31426.5%
  Progressive ConservativeX Jim Hawkes9,09015.7%
  New Democratic PartyRudy Rogers1,1942.1%
National Kathleen McNeil1,0681.8%
Natural Law Frank Haika4830.8%
Green Don Francis3470.6%
Christian Heritage Larry R. Heather1160.2%
Total57,82199.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary West

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

2002 Federal By-Election: Calgary Southwest

The by-election was called following the resignation of the incumbent, Preston Manning, the former leader of the Reform Party, to give Harper, recently elected leader of the Alliance, an opportunity to enter the House of Commons.

Federal By-Election, May 13, 2002: Calgary Southwest, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Alliance Stephen Harper13,20071.7%
  New Democratic PartyBill Phipps3,81320.7%
Green James S. Kohut6603.6%
  IndependentGordon Barrett4282.3%
Christian Heritage Ron Gray3201.7%
Total18,421100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Southwest

Elected.

2004 Federal Election: Calgary Southwest
Federal Election, 2004: Calgary Southwest, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Conservative X Stephen Harper35,29768.4%
Liberal Avalon Roberts9,50118.4%
Green Darcy Kraus3,2106.2%
  New Democratic PartyDaria Fox2,8845.6%
Marijuana Mark De Pelham5161.0%
Christian Heritage Larry R. Heather2290.4%
Total51,637100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Southwest

Elected.
X Incumbent.

2006 Federal Election: Calgary Southwest
Federal Election, 2006: Calgary Southwest, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Conservative X Stephen Harper41,54972.4%
Liberal Mike Swanson6,55311.4%
  New Democratic PartyHolly Heffernan4,6288.1%
Green Kim Warnke4,4077.7%
Christian Heritage Larry R. Heather2790.5%
Total57,416100.1%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Southwest

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

2008 Federal Election: Calgary Southwest
Federal Election, 2008: Calgary Southwest, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Conservative X Stephen Harper38,54873.0%
Liberal Marlene Lamontagne4,9189.3%
Green Kelly Christie4,7439.0%
  New Democratic PartyHolly Heffernan4,1027.8%
Libertarian Dennis Young2650.5%
Christian Heritage Larry R. Heather2560.5%
Total52,832100.1%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Southwest

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

2011 Federal Election: Calgary Southwest
Federal Election, 2011: Calgary Southwest, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Conservative X Stephen Harper42,99875.1%
  New Democratic PartyHolly Heffernan6,82311.9%
Liberal Marlene Lamontagne4,1217.2%
Green Kelly Christie2,9915.2%
Christian Heritage Larry R. Heather3030.5%
Total57,23699.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Southwest

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

Note: the electoral district was abolished in 2015.

2015 Federal Election: Calgary Heritage
Federal Election, 2015: Calgary Heritage, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Conservative X Stephen Harper37,26363.8%
Liberal Brendan Miles15,17226.0%
  New Democratic PartyMatt Masters Burgener4,2557.3%
Green Kelly Christie1,2462.1%
Libertarian Steven Paolasini2460.4%
  IndependentLarry R. Heather1140.2%
  IndependentKorry Zepik730.1%
  IndependentNicolas Duchastel de Montrouge610.1%
Total58,430100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Heritage

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

Note: Harper resigned his seat on August 26, 2016.

Leadership elections

Harper participated in two leadership contests: the leadership of the Canadian Alliance in 2002, and the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada in 2004. He won both contests.

2002 Canadian Alliance leadership election
For more detailed information about the 2002 Canadian Alliance leadership election, see Canadian Alliance leadership elections § 2002 leadership election.

Stockwell Day had been elected leader of the new Canadian Alliance in 2000, but his leadership triggered a caucus revolt and a new leadership vote. Every member of the party had a right to vote by mail-in ballot. Harper won on the first ballot.

Canadian Alliance Leadership Election, March 20, 2002
First and only ballot
Candidate First Ballot
Votes cast %
Stephen Harper 48,561 55.0%
Stockwell Day 33,074 37.5%
Diane Ablonczy 3,370 3.8%
Grant Hill 3,223 3.7%
Total 88,228 100.0%

2004 Conservative Party leadership election

The Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative parties merged in December 2003. In March, 2004, the party held its first leadership election. The vote was based on the 308 Conservative riding associations. Each riding association had 100 points. All party members had the right to vote through their riding associations, and each riding association's points were allocated in proportion to the local vote.

Conservative Leadership Election, March 20, 2004
First and only ballot
Candidate Votes cast Points won
Stephen Harper 67,143 68.9% 17,296 56.2%
Belinda Stronach 22,286 22.9% 10,613 34.5%
Tony Clement 7,968 8.2% 2,887 9.4%
Total 97,397 100.0% 30,796 100.1%1

1 Rounding error.

See also

References
  1. PARLINFO: Prime Ministers of Canada.
  2. Canadian Encyclopedia: "Stephen Harper".
  3. PARLINFO: The Right Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C.
  4. Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Heritage.
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