Home > Liberalism in Canada
This article gives an overview of liberal parties in Canada. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.
1 Introduction
Liberalism developed in both the Francophone and English speaking parts of Canada and led to the formation of the Liberal Party of Canada. On provincial level separate liberal parties exist, but these are not included here.
In Canada liberal refers therefore mainly to the policies and ideas of the Liberal Party of Canada/Parti Libéral du Canada (member LI), the most frequent governing party of Canada for the last century and one of the largest liberal parties around the world. The Quebec Liberal Party (Parti libéral du Québec) combines liberalism with more conservative ideas. Only federal parties are included in the timeline.
2 The timeline
2.1 Canadian Party / Patriot Party / Red Party
- 1806: Liberals in the Francophone part of Canada formed the Canadian Party (Parti canadien)
- 1826: The party is renamed Patriot Party (Parti Patriote) and is led by Louis-Joseph Papineau
- 1848: The party is further reorganised into the Red Party (Parti rouge)
- 1867: The PR merged into the present-day ⇒ Liberal Party of Canada
2.2 Reform Party
- 1841: The Upper Canada Reform Party is formed
- 1855: Radical members formed the ⇒ Clear Grits.
- 1867: The Reform Party merged into ⇒ Liberal Party of Canada
2.3 Clear Grits / Liberal Party of Canada
- 1855: Radical members of the ⇒ Reform Party formed the Clear Grits
- 1867: The Clear Grits merged with the ⇒ Reform Party, the ⇒ Red Party and provincial liberal parties into the present-day Liberal Party of Canada
3 Liberal leaders
- Louis Joseph Papineau
- Liberal Party of Canada: Alexander Mackenzie - Wilfrid Laurier - William Lyon Mackenzie King - Louis St. LaurentLouis Stephen St. Laurent Rank 12th Date of Birth February 1, 1882 Place of Birth Compton, Quebec Spouse Jeanne Renault Profession lawyer Political Party Liberal Party of Canada Louis Stephen St. Laurent (Saint-Laurent or St-Laurent in French)) ( February - Lester Bowles PearsonThe Right Honourable Lester Bowles Pearson Rank 14th Predecessor John Diefenbaker Successor Pierre Trudeau Date of Birth April 23, 1897 Place of Birth Newtonbrook, Ontario Spouse Maryon Moody Profession Diplomat, Politician Political Party Liberal The Rig - Pierre Elliott Trudeau - John Napier TurnerJohn Napier Turner Rank 17th Term June 30 September 17, 1984 Predecessor Pierre Elliott Trudeau Successor Brian Mulroney Date of Birth June 7, 1929 Place of Birth Richmond, Surrey, England Spouse Geills McCrae Kilgour Profession lawyer Political Party Lib - Jean ChrétienJoseph Jacques Jean Chretien (born January 11, 1934, Shawinigan, Quebec) was the twentieth Prime Minister of Canada, serving from November 4, 1993, to December 12, 2003. The Rt Hon. Jean Chretien Rank 20th Term of Office November 3, 1993 December 12, 2003 - Paul MartinPaul Martin Rank 21st Term of Office December 12, 2003 Present Predecessor Jean Chretien Date of Birth August 28, 1938 Place of Birth Windsor, Ontario Spouse Sheila Ann Cowan Profession businessman, politician Political Party Liberal The Right Honourable
