(from globeandmail.com)

Conservative Party leader

Reform Party's Mr. Manning appointed Mr. Harper chief policy officer for the nascent party in 1987. Mr. Harper is credited with creating the Party's 1993 election platform.

He was an assistant to Conservative MP Jim Hawkes and then to Deborah Grey when she was elected in 1989 as the Reform Party's first MP

Ran in 1988 election, but lost to the Tory candidate  

Won the Calgary-West riding in 1993, but didn't run for re-election.

In March, 2002, Harper defeated Stockwell Day as leader of the Canadian Alliance, becomes Leader of the Opposition

October, 2003, Harper and PC Party's MacKay come to agreement to merge the Alliance and Progressive Conservatives.

In March, 2004, Harper - after resigning as Alliance leader to run for the new Tory party - defeats Tony Clement and Belinda Stronach for the leadership.