about her hobbies such as photography or gardening. She'll discuss her favourite charities. Any deeper insights into her beliefs and her personality have not been revealed. Canadian have no idea what makes her tick. Whatever free spirit she possesses, she keeps well under control - at least publicly. The slightest sign of any Margaret Trudeau-like behaviour would be quickly suppressed by her husband and the Conservative Party. It would never be countenanced. Her role is to enhance and soften the rather stiff image of her husband. This she has performed with great aplomb.

Laureen Harper was born Laureen Ann Teskey on June 23, 1963 in Turner Valley, Alberta, a tiny rural town located south-west of Calgary. The eldest of three siblings, she grew up on a ranch in theRocky Mountain foothills surrounded by cattle, horses and numerous dogs and cats. Her mother, Barbara was a housewife and her father, Dennis, was an electrician. Being raised in such an environment, the youngster developed a deep affinity for animals. Her parents sheltered many critters, preventing them from being destroyed.

With plans to become a journalist, Laureen attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. She ended up switching to photography and discovered that she had an aptitude for computer-generated graphics. After graduation, she embarked on a journey to Africa with a youth group and travelled through 13 countries. During the six-month excursion, she became romantically involved with a young New Zealander named Neil Fenton. Upon returning to Canada, the couple married in April of 1985. Laureen found employment