Premiership of Stephen Harper

The premiership of Stephen Harper began on February 6, 2006, when the first Cabinet headed by Stephen Harper was sworn in by Governor General Michaelle Jean. Harper was invited to form the 28th Canadian Ministry and become Prime Minister of Canada following the 2006 federal election, where Harper led his Conservative Party to win a plurality of seats in the House of Commons of Canada, defeating the Liberal minority government of Prime Minister Paul Martin. Harper led his Conservatives to win a more significant minority government in 2008, and then a majority government in 2011. In the 2015 federal election, Harper's Conservatives lost power to the Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau. On November 4, 2015, Harper resigned as prime minister and was succeeded by Trudeau, who formed a majority government.