Author: Elaine Allan

Introduction While serving as Prime Minister of Canada (1930 to 1935) R.B. Bennett embraced his Conservative principles to help steer the country into a stronger financial position.  He led during the Great Depression which arguably is Canada’s darkest economic period.  Truly, Bennett’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, free-market capitalism, and social reform laid the foundation for…

Introduction Arthur Meighen served as Prime Minister of Canada on two separate occasions.  His first stint began on July 10, 1920, and ended on December 29, 1921.  Arthur Meighen’s first run as Prime minister ended due to a defeat in the House of Commons.  In the general election held on December 6, 1921, Meighen’s Conservative…

Zelensky’s Address to the Canadian Parliament During Ukrainian President Zelensky’s address to the Canadian Parliament on September 22, 2023, Speaker of the House, Anthony Rota, recognized Yaroslav Hunga, a 98-year-old Ukrainian World War II veteran.  Zelensky and the Parliamentarians present rose to give Hunga not one, but two standing ovations.  What followed next would become…

Introduction Sir Robert Borden served as Canada’s eighth Prime Minister from 1911 to 1920.  During his first term in office World War I broke out (1914) which negatively impacted the Canadian economy.  Initially demand for Canadian agricultural and manufactured goods declined but as the war raged on, global demand for Canadian-made war supplies and farmed…

Introduction Sir Charles Tupper was Canada’s shortest-serving Prime Minister having reigned for only a total of 69 days from May 1, 1896 to July 8, 1896. Tupper’s short time in office was a result of his Conservative government’s defeat in a general election that was called shortly after he took office.  Tupper succeeded Mackenzie Bowell. …

Sir Mackenzie Bowell: A Conservative Prime Minister Who Bridged Political Divides Introduction Sir Mackenzie Bowell became Canada’s fifth Prime Minister in 1894 and served in this role until 1896.  Upon becoming Prime Minister Bowell inherited a party divided and spent the bulk of his time trying to bridge the political divides within his caucus. Building…

Introduction Sir John S. D. Thompson succeeded Sir John J.C. Abbott as Canada’s fourth Prime Minister.  Following Abbott’s resignation in 1892, the Conservative caucus elected Thompson as their new leader.  The transition of power from Abbott to Thompson was achieved through a vote within the Conservative Party caucus. As is customary in parliamentary systems, the…

Introduction While the name Sir John J.C. Abbott may not be as recognizable as other Canadian prime ministers, his tenure marked a crucial period in Canada’s history. He served as Canada’s third Prime Minister (and Canada’s second Conservative Prime Minister) from 1891 to 1892.  Despite his short tenure as Prime Minister, Abbott’s leadership had a…

Introduction As Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald laid the groundwork for a united and prosperous Canada. In 1820, at the age of five, he arrived in Canada from Glasgow, with his parents.  His family settled in Kingston, Ontario which remained his home for most of his life. Sir John A. Macdonald’s Early…