The official portrait of Canada’s 22nd prime minister was unveiled in Ottawa Tuesday with the usual pomp and ceremony, but perhaps one unexpected feature: Stephen Harper’s cat.
The portrait by Canadian artist Phil Richards depicts Harper seated in the prime minister’s oak-panelled office surrounded by books he has written, family photos, other mementos of significance and a feline friend.
“At the back of the room is Stanley, the grey tabby cat that the Harpers adopted at 24 Sussex in 2011,” the portrait note explains. “As of 2026, Stanley is still living, though somewhat heavier!”
Stanley was adopted from the Ottawa Humane Society and was named through a social media poll during the Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup run in 2011.
Harper’s love for hockey is widely known. One of his books on the early days of hockey in Canada, A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and the Rise of Professional Hockey, is among the books painted in the portrait. There is also a pen with the Calgary Flames logo.
But Stanley is a stand-out star.
Harper and his family spoke fondly about their animals and fostering pets while living at 24 Sussex Drive.
Harper and his wife, Laureen, announced the winning name for their new kitten on Facebook.
“We encourage everyone to adopt to adopt their animals from the many wonderful animal shelters across the country,” he posted at the time.
Harper was first sworn in as prime minister in February, 2006 and kept the job until November, 2015 when his Conservatives were defeated by the Justin Trudeau Liberals.
During the portrait ceremony, Harper called for unity.
“We must preserve Canada,” he said.
