North-West Territories Liberal Party
TheNorth-West Territories Liberal Partywas a short-lived branch of theLiberal Party of Canadain theNorth-West Territories.
North-West Territories Liberal Party | |
|---|---|
| Former territorial party | |
| Founded | 1898 |
| Dissolved | September 1, 1905 |
| Ideology | Liberalism |
| Colours | Red |
History
editThe party existed between 1898 and 1905. In 1905, the provinces ofAlbertaandSaskatchewanwere created from the heavily populated areas of the North-West Territories. The members of the NWT Liberal Party joined theAlberta Liberal Partyor theSaskatchewan Liberal Party.With almost no voting population in the remaining parts of the North-West Territories, its political parties disbanded when theGovernment of Canadareturned to its former policy of appointing members of the Territories'legislative assemblyThe assembly went back to theconsensusmodel of government.
The consensus model of government that had been used prior to theelection of 1898had its influences in the party system: Conservative leader and Government LeaderFrederick W. A. G. Haultainappointed two Liberals to his cabinet and one Conservative, even though they formed the opposition, from 1898 to 1905. This led Conservatives to accuse the government of being a "grit hive", after theelection of 1902.To appease party supporters, Haultain appointed one Liberal and two Conservatives to the cabinet.
TheCalgary Heraldattacked the Territorial Liberals in October 1902, after they held a convention in which they failed to adopt policies towards the creation of a provincial government. This set off a bitter editorial war against the Liberal and Conservative media.
Robert Brett was the Leader of the party from the beginning until, he made a surprise move to drop out of the race just days before theelection of 1902. Donald H. McDonald,filled his place, and became leader of the opposition, until the provinces were created in 1905.
Leaders of the Party
- Robert Brett(1897–1902)
- Donald H. McDonald(1902–1905)
Modern era
editUnder the current consensus government, political parties are not currently recognized in Northwest Territories law, but a few scattered candidates have run in recent elections claiming to represent the Liberal party. The most notable of which isLynda Sorenson,Northwest Territories MLA from 1979 - 1983. There are plans to reestablish a Northwest Territories Liberal Party in time for elections in 2015.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Group plans to run Liberal candidate in 2015 N.W.T. election".CBC News.2013-05-27.Retrieved2013-09-13.