Ron Thornton's
Personal Commentaries on Canadian Politics
(and anything else that interests him)

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Prime Ministers of Canada
(1867-1920)

Sir John A. Macdonald (Cons.) 1867-1873, 1878-1891
The father of his country and without a shot being fired. Served as a legislator for 47 consecutive years.

Alexander Mackenzie (Liberal)  1873-1878
Legislated the creation of the Supreme Court of Canada. A severe economic depression saw to the end of his government.

Sir John Abbott (Conservative) 1891-1892
70-year old selected Prime Minister on Macdonald's death when the top contenders either would not or could not assume the post.

Sir John Thompson (Conservative) 1892-1894
Macdonald's natural heir almost brought Newfoundland into Confederation. He died suddenly at the age of 49 at Queen Victoria's Windsor Castle.

Sir Mackenzie Bowell (Conservative) 1894-1896
Had a stormy relationship with his cabinet, who he eventually denounced as a "nest of traitors." His government was short-lived, but not Bowell, who lived to the age of 93.

Sir Charles Tupper (Conservative) 1896
One of the Fathers of Confederation, but his terms as Premier of Nova Scotia and Prime Minister of Canada were quite short.

Sir Wilfred Laurier (Liberal) 1896-1911
Saw great expansion to the western prairies as he created the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905.  Immigrations increased dramatically during Laurier's term.

Sir Robert Borden (Conservative/Unionist) 1911-1920
Canada's Prime Minister through World War I.  The Unionists were formed in 1917 when Conservatives and pro-military draft Liberals joined together.