How did Stephen Harper become prime minister after the 2006 federal election?

Stephen Harper became prime minister of Canada following the 2006 federal election because his party, the Conservative Party of Canada, won the most seats in the House of Commons.1

In that election, the Conservatives captured 124 seats and secured more than 36 percent of the national vote, allowing Harper to form a minority government. This result followed a 2005 motion of no confidence against the previous Liberal government led by Paul Martin, which had been weakened by a political scandal involving a sponsorship scheme in Quebec. Following the Liberal defeat in the 2006 general election, Martin resigned as prime minister, clearing the way for Harper to take office.12