Liberal Party Of Canada example essay topic

Through Canada's one hundred thirty years as a nation, it has developed and changed. These developments and changes have been influenced through the main political parties of Canada. The two main political parties of Canada throughout the years have been the Progressive Conservative Party and the Liberal Party. The Reform Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Bloc Quebecois, form the minority parties of this country.

Each one of these parties have their own views and policies that distinguish their party from the other. The Progressive Conservative Party is one of Canada's two main political parties. The party originated as a coalition of conservative and liberal minded politicians in 1854, although the present name was not taken until 1942. The party normally occupies the right of center position in the political spectrum, and has usually had close ties with Britain, but it lacks a distinct ideology like its political rival, the Liberal Party. Under the leadership of John A. Macdonald, the Progressive Conservative Party fashioned Canadian nationalism and economic development, and therefore was the dominant party in the late 19th century throughout the nation. One problem of the party in the early and middle stages of the 20th century was the party's inability to win support among the French Canadians in Quebec.

This usually kept the Conservatives from power on the national level, although they often won office in the English speaking provinces. As Lower (1991) describes, "One of the major problems of the federal Conservatives has been their inability to discover an inspiring leader who could conciliate and unite the fractions of the party". (pg. 186-187). The party controlled the government during World Rutherford, Paul, Microsoft Encarta, "Progressive Conservative Party" War I, where by instituting conscription angered the French Canadians. During the Depression, when the party failed to ameliorate the Depression along with its reputation as a friend to big business also led to a major loss of support among English speaking Canadians. After the fall of the Conservatives", The Conservatives existed as a weak alternative to successive Liberal governments, serving as advocates of the English speaking community and the moderate right. "Rutherford, Paul, (1993), Progressive Conservative Party.

For brief periods during this time the Conservatives were in Office under Prime Ministers John Diefenbaker (1958-1963) and Joe Clarke (1979-1980). In 1984, the Conservatives started at ten year reign, under Brian Mulroney. During this time several unpopular decisions took place the Free Trade Agreement with the United States, and the formation of the federal sales tax, caused the Conservative popularity to decline. Mulroney resigned in 1993, Kim Campbell finished off his existing term, then later lost in the federal election to the Liberals. Today the Progressive Conservatives hold only two seats in the House of Commons. The Liberal Party, is another of Canada's leading political parties.

The party was formed soon after confederation out of a coalition of Ontario Reformers, Quebec Rouges and Anti unionists from the Maritime Provinces. The Liberal Party first held power under Alexander Mackenzie briefly, from (1873-78). Early on the Liberal Party favored increased Canadian autonomy, freer trade with the United States, various moral reforms, and a decentralized federalism. According to the Rutherford, Paul, Microsoft Encarta, "Liberal Party (Canada) ". Liberal Party of Canada, "They are committed to the view that the dignity of each individual man and women is the cardinal principle of democratic society and the primary purpose of all political organizations and activity in such a society". (Liberal Party of Canada, 1997, pg.

#1) Before the 20th century its success was based on efforts to satisfy the disparate aims of French and English Canadians. Over time the Liberals formed a strong federal government. According to Rutherford, the Liberals, led by Trudeau, worked to preserve the power of the Central Government to limit U.S. economic power in Canada, and to fashion a bilingual and bi cultural nation, an effort climaxed by the defeat of separation in a 1980 Quebec referendum. (Rutherford, 1993, "Progressive Conservative"). The popularity of the Liberal Party decreased in the 1980's, however, because of their opposition to the free-trade treaty of 1988 with the U. S and its support for the Meech Lake Accord, the Liberal Party began to regain some of their popularity among both the French and English speaking Canadians. The Liberal Party of Canada, that is now in power is dedicated to the following principles, individual freedom, responsibility and human dignity in society and political freedom of meaningful participation amongst all people.

The Liberal Party recognizes that human dignity in a democratic system requires that all citizens have access to full information concerning the policies and leadership of the party. The present Liberal Party believes that the following are the roles and purposes of their party. "1) Seek to achieve a common ground of understanding among the people of the different provinces. 2) Advocate and support Liberal philosophies, principles and policies. 3) Promote the election of candidates of the Liberal Party of Canada. 4) Provide assistance and leadership to federal Liberal constituency organizations to create a strong Liberal Party in Canada.

5) Act always to assist the individual member of the party to make his best contribution to the political life of Canada. 6) Respect the principle of equal division between men and women in the structure and operation of the Liberal Party. #2). These six roles and purposes of each are what the Liberals feel will win them the next election. The Reform Party of Canada is one of Canada's minor political parties. In 1989 beside the three parties already represented in the House of Commons, there were other registered federal political parties.

One of these parties was the Reform Party of Canada, which was the most influential and fastest growing minor party, based out of Alberta led by Preston Manning. The Reform Party of Canada is relatively new and has not made any big changes to the country. However during the last election the party almost managed to be the official opposition in only their first election were they had enough eligible ridings to do so. The general reason for the Reform Party was because of western discontent. The Reform Party of Canada was created in 1987 in Winnipeg. Rependiatng separatism, the party stated "We want into Confederation not out of it".

Its platform included demands for J. Author Lower, CANADA, An Outline History, pg. # 30 a reformed Triple E. Senate, more national referenda, and a system of recall to establish more responsible government. The goals of the reformers are to form the next government by winning the next federal election. Today almost all the Canadian provincial governments have achieved or are working towards a balanced budget. Even the federal Liberal Government, which Reformers believe they have pushed the government into doing so. In 1992, the Reform Party was the only federal party to campaign for a NO vote in the constitutional referendum.

Also in 1993 another big break through for the Reform Party occurred, in the federal election they emerged with 52 members of Parliament. "The support for the Reform Party continues to grow across Canada. This has been shown in many of the 1996 by - elections in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada that support for the Reform has increased since the 1993 election" (The Reform Party of Canada, 1997, pg. #3). The Reform Parties objective is to reform the political system to provide more fairness and balance in national decision making and more effective representation of the interests of all Canadians in federal parliament.

The New Democratic seek fundamental change of government and the strength of cooperation and community to advance our society". The party is part of a greater national and international movement that seeks to challenge the dominant political agenda of market globalization and resulting environmental, social, and economic problems" according to the party. (Canada's New Democratic Party, 1997, pg. #3) The NDP believe its political activity is particularly important and has to be set apart or distinguished from other parties or its opponents by the special symphysis it provides to serious discussions and development of public policy positions.

However this is contradictory because their membership does not engage in more policy study than other parties. In fact " it appears they do less than both the Conservatives and the Reform organizations". (Carty, 1994, pg. # 241). In 1993, the party suffered disaster in the federal election gaining only 8% of the popular vote and retaining only 9 seats, which meant the loss of its official party status in parliament. The Bloc Quebecois party is a parliamentary movement made up of a group of Quebec MP's who originally left their respective parties in protest against the Conservative governments unwillingness to change aspects of the Meech Lake Accord to favor Quebec.

The leader of the party was Lucien Bouchard, a former Tory Cabinet Minister. He was elected as the party leader in June 1991. During the 1993 election campaign, Bouchard argued that federalism had failed and that sovereignty for Quebec was the only option for Canada. Whitehorn, Alan, (1996), The Canadian Encyclopedia Plus, Bloc Quebecois. By allowing Quebec to separate or to have sovereignty, the Bloc Quebecois believe its the only way to achieve Quebec's legitimate aspirations. Then once Quebec becomes sovereign Canada will also be free to create the central government that the country has always wanted.

On October 25, 1993, Quebecois elected 54 Bloc Quebecois MP's in the federal election. They then formed the official opposition, lead by Lucien Bouchard. Bouchard Whitehorn, Alan, The Canadian Encyclopedia Plus, "New Democratic Party". resigned his seat in the house to become premier of Quebec in January 1996 and was succeeded as leader by Michel Gauthier. These are the five main political parties of Canada. Each of these parties have had their own influences in the country, big or small. They have many differences in the way they would each run this vast country, called Canada.

However they all have one common interest, this is to govern the greatest country in the world and to have a chance to develop this young country into even a greater country.