BIS 2021 Conference

GUEST SPEAKER

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C.

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper led Canada through the world’s most complex geopolitical, economic and security challenges as the country’s 22nd Prime Minister for nearly ten years. During his tenure in the world’s top forums such as the G-7, G-20, NATO, and the United Nations, Mr. Harper was known for a frank, assertive leadership style defined by principled diplomacy, disciplined economic policy, a strong stance on international peace and security, and passionate defence of freedom and human dignity.

Mr. Harper created the modern Conservative Party of Canada, won three successive national elections, and was the longest serving Conservative Prime Minister since Canada’s founding Prime Minister in 1891. Under his watch, Canada emerged from the 2008 economic crisis faster and stronger than its peers. Among his many accomplishments in office, Mr. Harper brought federal taxes to their lowest level in 50 years and balanced the budget while investing in health care and infrastructure, overhauling the criminal justice system, and expanding Canada’s international trade network tenfold. On the international stage, Prime Minister Harper undertook a principled foreign policy working closely with Canada’s G7 and other partners and stood staunchly by besieged allies Israel and Ukraine. An economist by training, Mr. Harper helped shape financial reform frameworks at the G-20 table, implemented a sustainable approach to fiscal stimulus, and led the call for open markets founded pragmatic, growth-oriented economic policy.

Today, Mr. Harper is Chairman and CEO of Harper & Associates, a global strategic advisory firm. He is also the recent author of “Right Here Right Now: Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption” and a frequent speaker on geo-politics, populism, and global business trends.

Mr. Harper also Chairs the International Democrat Union, the global alliance of conservative political parties, and the Friends of Israel Initiative, a global association of former high-office holders who defend Israel’s right to self-determination, security and democracy.