MUNDY - 2009 Prime Ministers of Canada. John A. MACDONALD Prime Minister 1867 – 1873; Also 1878 – 1891 Party: CONSERVATIVE Background: Lawyer Rise to.

MUNDY - 2009

Prime Ministers of Canada

John A. MACDONALDPrime Minister 1867 – 1873;

Also 1878 – 1891

Party: CONSERVATIVE

Background: Lawyer

Rise to Power: Ran Canada East-West government from 1840’s to Confederation (as Minister of Justice)

John A. MACDONALDIssues during term:

Pacific Scandal – took bribes from U.S. Railway barons in return for campaign funds

Confederation – undertook and led 3 conferences

National Policy - protectionist economic policyManitoba Schools QuestionRed River, North-West Rebellions – oversaw

execution of RielBC’s entry into ConfederationPurchased Rupert’s Land from HBCLand Treaties over Prairies

Alexander MACKENZIEPrime Minister 1873 – 1878

Party: LIBERAL

Background: Newspaper Editor

Rise to Power: Became PM in wake of Pacific Scandal and resignation of John A. Macdonald

Alexander MACKENZIEIssues during term:

Building of intercontinental railway

Economic depression plaguing Canadian businesses

John J.C. ABBOTT

Prime Minister 1891 – 1892

Party: CONSERVATIVE

Background: Lawyer

Rise to Power: Interim replacement for Macdonald afterhis death. Reason for Leaving: Retirement due to ill health

John J.C. ABBOTTIssues during term:

Manitoba Schools QuestionImage Cleanup after scandals (Macdonald, etc.)

Sir John Sparrow THOMPSON

Prime Minister 1892 – 1894

Party: CONSERVATIVE

Background: Lawyer

Rise to Power: Interim replacement for Macdonald, Abbott after their deaths.Reason for Leaving: Died while visiting Windsor Castle

Sir John Sparrow THOMPSONIssues during term:Manitoba Schools QuestionImage Cleanup after scandals

(Macdonald, etc.)

Thompson was first Catholic PM; many in party and Ontario were wary, given Protestantism and patriotic sentiment towards Britain at time

Sir Mackenzie BOWELLPrime Minister 1894 – 1896Party: CONSERVATIVE

Background: NewspaperEditor

Rise to Power: interim replacement for ThompsonReason for Leaving: Lost support of

own party

Sir Mackenzie BOWELLIssues during term:Manitoba Schools Question

Bowell was considered by party members to be a weak leader; worse that he was a senator and could not face Opposition in House of Commons

Staunch member of Orange Order (Protestant)

Sir Charles TUPPERPrime Minister May-July 1896

Party: CONSERVATIVE

Background: Physician

Rise to Power: Interim replacement for Bowell after his removal by Conservatives

Reason for Leaving: Federal election loss

Wilfred LAURIERPrime Minister 1896 – 1911

Party: LIBERAL

Background: Lawyer

Rise to Power: Won 1896 election in wake of series of ineffective Conservative governments

Wilfred LAURIERIssues during term:

Naval ActSouth African War (Boer War)Alaskan Boundary DisputeManitoba Schools QuestionReciprocity with U.S.

Robert BORDENPrime Minister 1911 – 1920

Party: UNION

Background: lawyer, obusinessman

Rise to Power: Defeated Laurier in 1911 election on platform of opposing reciprocity

Robert BORDENIssues during term:

World War IConscription IssueMilitary Voters ActWartime Elections ActWar Measures ActWar profiteering – Sam Hughes

Arthur MEIGHENPrime Minister:1920 – 1921; 1926

Party: CONSERVATIVE

Background: lawyer

Rise to Power: Took over as leader when Borden retired

Arthur MEIGHENIssues during term:

Quick to be defeated in 1921 election

Came to power in 1926 in wake of King-Byng crisis, but quickly fell due to Minority Government status

William Lyon Mackenzie KINGPrime Minister:1921 – 1926; 1926 – 1930;1935 – 1948

Party: LIBERAL

Background: journalist

Rise to Power: Popularly elected as “people’s choice” moving towards greater Canadian autonomy and independence

William Lyon Mackenzie KINGIssues during term:

WWIIKing-Byng AffairOld Age Pension 1926Unemployment Insurance 1940Person`s Case

Richard Bedford (R.B.) BENNETTPrime Minister: 1930 – 1935Party: CONSERVATIVE

Background: Teacher, Lawyer,Businessman

Rise to Power: in face of world depression, King had made comments that

his government would not give a “red penny” to any relief efforts. Lost popular support and election to Bennett’s Conservatives

Richard Bedford (R.B.) BENNETTIssues during term:

World depression – massive unemployment in Canada

Drought on prairies“New Deal”-style policies (little effect on unemployment)

Canadian Wheat Board established

Louis St. LAURENTPrime Minister: 1948 – 1958Party: LIBERAL

Background: lawyer

Rise to Power: After King’s departure, Louis St. Laurent appeared to be logical successor to party – good on TV as “uncle Louis”

Louis St. LAURENTIssues during term:

Newfoundland enters Confederation (1949)

Women given equal payTransCanada pipeline debateCBC established as Canada’s first TV station

Korean War (1950 – 1953)Lester B. Pearson’s peace plan ends Suez Crisis

John DIEFENBAKERPrime Minister: 1957 – 1963Party: PROGRESSIVE

CONSERVATIVE

Background: LawyerRise to Power: Beat Louis St. Laurent’s

government with promise of “Canada First” and opportunities for all Canadians

John DIEFENBAKERIssues during term:

St. Lawrence Seaway, Trans-Canada Highway open

Avro Arrow project (military jet) scrapped

Lester PEARSONPrime Minister: 1963 – 1968

Party: LIBERAL

Background: Teacher

Rise to Power: After working under Louis St. Laurent as various ministers (including as Minister of External Affairs), Pearson was made leader of Liberals after St. Laurent’s loss and Diefenbaker rose to power. Narrowly won 1963 election.

Lester PEARSONIssues during term:

Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism

Canadian Flag unveiledCanada Pension Plan, National Medicare established

Auto Pact signed with US Pearson – Johnson conflict over role in Vietnam War

Pierre Elliott TRUDEAUPrime Minister:

1968 – 1979; 1980 – 1984

Party: LIBERAL

Background: Lawyer

Rise to Power: During time of Quebec separatism, Trudeau joined Liberals and replaced Pearson; during 1968 election, his charisma and youthful spirit became so popular it was named “Trudeaumania”

Pierre Elliott TRUDEAUIssues during term:

October Crisis (1970) – War Measures Act enactedOfficial Languages Act established (bilingualism)Supreme Court acknowledges aboriginal land claimsBill 101 in Quebec made law (Only French to be

used)Trudeau visits communist Cuba, visits CastroMontreal is host to Olympic Games Quebec sovereignty referendum (1980) Constitution of Canada patriated (1982)Nationalization of industries, restricting foreign

investment

Joe CLARKPrime Minister: 1979 – 1980

Party: PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE

Background: Journalist

Rise to Power: Became leader of PC party with youthful and Western leanings. Won minority government against Trudeau.

Joe CLARKIssues during term:

Attempted to change Petro Canada’s status (to private company)

Failed to gain confidence vote in Parliament for federal budget – leads to downfall

John TURNERPrime Minister: 1984 (June-Sept)

Party: LIBERAL

Background: Lawyer

Rise to Power: After defeating Jean Chretien to become leader of the Liberal Party in the wake of Trudeau’s retirement, Turner automatically became PM until the election later that year (lost to Brian Mulroney).

John TURNERIssues during term:

Pope John Paul II visits Canada (first pope to do so)

Made many patronage appointments to gain support (but angered Canadians)

Brian MULRONEYPrime Minister: 1984 – 1993

Party: PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE

Background: Lawyer, Corporate Executive

Rise to Power: Working as a Conservative fundraiser since Diefenbaker, he finally decided to run for leadership of party; originally lost to Clark, won later with platform of bringing Quebec into constitution (instead of separating). Beat Turner in election.

Brian MULRONEYIssues during term:

FTA (Free Trade Agreement) - 1989NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) - 1991

Meech Lake AccordCharlottetown AccordGulf War (Iraq) – 1991Privatization of Crown Corporations, promoted increased foreign investment

Avril (Kim) CAMPBELLPrime Minister: 1993 (June-Oct)

Party: PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE

Background: Professor, Lawyer

Rise to Power: Once Mulroney retired with low popularity, Campbell became PM until election. Lost due to her focus on frank realities instead of campaign promises, and her association to the party that many Canadians now hated.

Avril (Kim) CAMPBELLIssues during term:

First Nations sign Umbrella Final Agreement Ends peacekeeping mission in CyprusPC party largest election loss – down to 2

seats

Jean CHRETIENPrime Minister:

1993 – 2003Party: LIBERAL

Background: Lawyer

Rise to Power: Working in various ministry positions for Trudeau, Chretien tried to win leadership but lost first to Turner; won 1993 election after Mulroney/Campbell party lost favour with public.

Jean CHRETIENIssues during term:

Worldwide recessionToonie ($2 coin) enters circulationQuebec Referendum (1995) – 50.6% NONew parties formed: Reform Party, Bloc QuebecoisNunavut created (1999)Canadian troops torture civilian in SomaliaCanada joins NATO forces in KosovoCanadarm II placed on International Space StationMassive cutbacks in federal spendingTrade missions to China (to increase trade)

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