FREE ESSAY ON LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA

LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA

A liberal, by definition is a person who favours reform, especially in government,
economics, and religion, and who prefers democratic or republican forms of government in
a constitutional state. This definition generally outlines the definition of the Liberal
Party of Canada but as we will see the Liberals are often difficult to define because
they occupy the centre of the political spectrum. Part of the reason for the Liberal's
past success is based on their ability to keep both French and English Canada relatively
happy.
I. History
The Liberal Party was formed around the year 1867. This name was given to the party from
the reform groups of Canada East and Canada West in the late 1840s. The party members
lead the charge for a responsible government. The early Liberals did not gain power
federally until 1873 and since that time the Liberals have held power 58 of last 100
years, 34 of last 50. Also every leader of the party has been Prime Minister with the
exception of Edward Blake. 
The following is a list of the leaders of the federal Liberal party:
? Alexander Mackenzie-leader1867-1878
? Edward Blake-leader 1878-1887
? Sir Wilfrid Laurier-leader 1887-1919
? W.L.M. King-leader 1919-1948
? Louis St. Laurent-leader 1948-1957
? Lester B. Pearson-leader 1957-1968
? Pierre Elliott Trudeau-leader 1968-1984
? John Turner-1984-1989
? Jean Chretien-leader 1990-present
The Liberal Party has been in power for 58 of the last 100 years and hopes to maintain
this record in the upcoming election.
II. Present Leader
Jean Chretien is the present leader of the federal Liberals. He was born in 1934 at
Shawiningan, Que. He studied law at the Laval University and after completing his bars,
practised law for several years in Shawiningan. Mr. Chretien joined the Shawiningan law
firm of Chretien, Landry, Deschenes, Trudel and Normand in 1958. He served as director of
the Bar of Trois-Rivieres in 1962-63. In 1963 he was elected to the House of Commons. The
following is a list of parliamentary positions held by Chretien throughout his political
career:
? First elected to the House of Commons in 1963 as M.P. for the constituency of
Saint-Maurice-Lafleche
? Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, July 1965
? Minister of State attached to the Minister of Finance April 1967
? Minister of National Revenue January 1968
? Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development July 1968
? President of the Treasury Board, August 1974
? Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce September 1976
? Minister of Finance September 1977
? Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Social Development, March 1980
? Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources September 1982
? Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for External Affairs, June 1984
In 1984, Chretien ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party in 1984 and lost. He
resigned from the House of Commons on February 27, 1986 and after a four-year spell away
from politics, gained leadership of the Liberal Party on June 23, 1990. He was elected
once again elected to the House of Commons on December 10, 1990, by means of a
by-election in the riding of Beausejour (New Brunswick). He was sworn in as Leader of the
Opposition in the House of Commons on December 21, 1990. Chretien was then re-elected on
October 25, 1993 and his party formed a majority government in which he was the Prime
Minister.
III. The Liberal Party in the 2000 Election
At the time parliament was dissolved, the Liberals held 161 of 301 seats in the House of
Commons. The Liberal's main opponent in this election will be the newly formed Canadian
Alliance. The Party is facing strong criticism in its decision to call an election with
several years still remaining in their political term.
IV. Political Platform and Ideologies
Some issues that the liberals are focusing on for the upcoming election are:
? ECONOMYa Security and balanced growth 
? HEALTH CAREa Improving the health of Canadians
? FAMILIES & CHILDRENa Secure families with happy and healthy children.
? SKILLS & INNOVATIONa A Culture of life-long learning
? UNITYa Guaranteeing Canadians' rights and improving a successful federation 
? CULTUREa Shaping our Canadian community 
? ENVIRONMENTa Innovative protection
? JUSTICEa Restoring faith in safe streets
? FOREIGN POLICYa Canadian values on the world stage 
? DEFENCEa Peace abroad and help at home 
? WOMENa Equality and opportunity 
? MULTICULTURALISMa A culture of compassion 
? AGRICULTUREa Ensuring healthy harvests
? RURAL CANADAa Strong communities
? ABORIGINAL PEOPLESa Respectful partnership
? SENIORSa Respecting our elders
? CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIESa Participating fully and equally in Canadian society 
? RESOURCE INDUSTRIESa Planning for the future
? TRANSPORTATIONa Keeping Canadians and their goods on the
move
The Liberal Party promotes equality of all people, the recognition of Canada's two
official languages, and the preservation of a uniquely Canadian identity.