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For Stephen J. Harper, BA’85, MA’91, 2026 is a year of reflection and legacy. 

Twenty years after becoming Canada’s prime minister, the University of Calgary is  program in his name, as the university itself marks its  — the alma mater Harper credits with shaping his approach to critical thinking, public policy and intellectual rigour.

Canada’s 22nd prime minister spoke with our team to share his insights on education, democracy and what makes Calgary such a unique place for entrepreneurship and politics.

The beginning: economics, mentorship and public policy

Harper traces many of his formative influences back to UCalgary’s intellectual culture. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1985, followed by his master’s in 1991. During his time as a student, Harper recalls an environment shaped by academic leaders and mentors, including emeritus professor , PhD, and economist , PhD, who were both instrumental in forming his approach to economic thinking and public policy.

“In academic institutions, we must encourage and protect serious, open debate, with a strong emphasis on evidence and outcomes,” Harper says. “The taught me to test ideas, understand trade-offs and to value the importance of sound public policy.” Learning to engage with competing concepts, defend assumptions and revise conclusions when evidence required it, became, in his words, the foundation for his “first steps into public life.”

“It was Dr. Mansell who first introduced me to (Reform Party of Canada founder) Preston Manning, which began my unlikely path to the office of prime minister,” says Harper. “Dr. Mintz headed the during much of my time in public office, and his work helped shape the thinking of many federal politicians and officials.” 

Harper notes that the work of Mansell and Mintz “represents something Canada needs more of — serious economic thinking grounded in disciplined and balanced public policy,” particularly in areas such as taxation, regulation, competitiveness and public finance. 

“In particular, both Robert and Jack reinforced my conviction that fiscal discipline is one of the cornerstones of a prosperous G7 economy,” he adds. 

That grounding would prove especially valuable during periods of uncertainty. Harper points to his studies in macroeconomics and economic history as preparation for his leadership through moments of global financial strain. The ability to interpret economic signals, weigh trade-offs and respond with measured policy approaches became particularly relevant during the 2008 financial crisis.

Today, this same emphasis on economic literacy continues through the newly announced  at UCalgary. Established to recognize academic excellence paired with practical application, the scholarships reflect a belief that strong analytical foundations remain essential to both public service and private sector leadership.

“It is a privilege to be recognized by the University of Calgary in its 60th anniversary year and to have these scholarships mark the 20th anniversary of my government’s election,” Harper says. “My studies in economics provided a foundation that served me throughout my journey in both public and private life.  It is my hope these scholarships provide meaningful support to students in economics, so that recipients can also contribute to Canada’s prosperity while advancing their own careers.

UCalgary President and Vice-Chancellor Ed McCauley expresses the university’s pride in launching a scholarship honouring one of its most notable alumni. 

“This is about opening doors for bold thinkers and changemakers — people who will shape policy, drive innovation and strengthen our communities," he says. "We are proud to celebrate a remarkable alumnus and empower the next generation of leaders.”

Calgary: unique place, unique perspective

As one of a just five prime ministers to come from Western Canada, and the first to be a UCalgary alum, Harper reflects on how geography shapes outlook. He describes Calgary as a city influenced by enterprise, pragmatism and opportunity — characteristics he sees as central to its civic culture.

“Calgary is a remarkable city,” Harper says. “It is pragmatic, forward looking and shaped by enterprise.”

The city’s role as a centre of economic activity, particularly in the energy sector, has helped shape that perspective. While economic opportunity exists across Canada, Harper notes that Alberta has long offered pathways for advancement that are less dependent on established connections or inherited advantage. That environment, he suggests, fosters a willingness to take risks and translate ideas into action.

“Calgary attracts entrepreneurs who take risks, build and turn ideas into competitive businesses,” Harper says. 

UCalgary’s growth and expansion as Canada’s entrepreneurial university was immersed in that same civic context. During his time as a student, Harper recalls a campus culture that encouraged responsibility for ideas and disciplined participation in debate. He sees those qualities reflected in the wide range of political and civic leaders the university has produced. Today, UCalgary alumni serve in some of Canada’s most senior political roles — including both Alberta’s premier and leader of the opposition, Calgary’s mayor, and Canada’s federal leader of the opposition — representing different viewpoints shaped by a shared institutional foundation.

“In that setting, students learned to engage in public discourse by taking responsibility for their ideas, testing them rigorously and participating with discipline,” Harper says. “These are fundamental principles of good public-office holders.” 

Education, economics and healthy democracies

Since stepping away from day-to-day politics, Harper’s engagement with public affairs has taken a different form. His current work includes business and governance roles, as well as international involvement related to democratic institutions and long-term political trends. 

“Although most of my time is now spent in business, I have headed the International Democracy Union — the global alliance of conservative parties,” Harper says. “Through it, I remain connected to political developments in the world. I try to use this and my previous experience to understand big trends and to advise political and business leaders trying to navigate them. I do this largely in private, as that is how advice is generally most appreciated.”

Even as his focus has shifted, Harper remains attentive to the health of democratic systems. He emphasizes the role of citizens within those systems, observing that institutions alone cannot sustain democracy without active public participation.

“Nothing can replace an engaged electorate, and nothing can compensate for one that is not,” he says. “The trend towards less political involvement and awareness of the ordinary citizen should concern us all.”

Harper adds that universities, alongside other civic institutions, continue to play an important role in cultivating that engagement by encouraging critical thinking, informed debate and an understanding of how systems function over time.

“In my view, a well-rounded education in economics provides both breadth and rigour in a way that few other disciplines do, and it provides the best tools for developing policy approaches in a wide range of areas,” says Harper. 

“But, after all, I am biased.”

Looking ahead

For recent graduates navigating a world marked by uncertainty and polarization, Harper encourages a return to foundational principles. Applying careful thought to complex problems and articulating ideas clearly, he suggests, remain essential skills across all professions.

“Apply your best thinking to problems, and never back down from pressure in articulating your views,” he says. “Only bad thinkers don’t want to hear other ideas.”

For UCalgary, Harper’s story ultimately speaks to the enduring role of universities in shaping public life. It illustrates how universities influence not only careers, but habits of thought that persist across decades — informing leadership and civic engagement in ways that often become clear only with time.

Thanks to early support from a group of Harper’s colleagues, supporters and champions, the 2026 inaugural cohort of Harper Scholars has been funded and will be announced later in the year. Following the , further philanthropic efforts will aim to fully endow the program for years to come.