Liberal Party of Canada

The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada) is Canada's current governing political party. It currently forms the federal government under Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Related Topics:
French - Canada - Political party - Prime Minister - Paul Martin

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The Liberal Party is often called "Canada's natural governing party" because it has been in power in Canada for most of the past century. It is one of only two parties that have alternately governed Canada since Confederation, the other being the now-defunct Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (one of the two ancestors of the modern-day Conservative Party of Canada). Every Liberal leader in the 20th century and since has served as Prime Minister of Canada; in fact, in the entire history of the Liberal Party, there has only been one non-interim leader, Edward Blake, who was never Prime Minister. It is also worth noting that every successive Liberal Prime Minister has been a cabinet minister in the past Liberal leader's cabinet: Martin was in Jean Chrétien's cabinet, who was in John Turner's cabinet, who was in Pierre Trudeau's cabinet, etc. Conversely, the Progressive Conservatives often chose leaders without Cabinet experience.

Related Topics:
Confederation - Progressive Conservative Party of Canada - Conservative Party of Canada - Prime Minister of Canada - Edward Blake - Jean Chrétien - John Turner - Pierre Trudeau

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The party, known colloquially as the "Grits" (originally "Clear Grits") has a reputation among members for being very united and loyal, though this is always called into question during leadership races. However, the party has recently been plagued by party infighting.

Related Topics:
Clear Grits - Party infighting

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The Liberal Party is a member of the Liberal International.

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• For information about the 2004 election, including a list of nominated candidates see: Canadian federal election, 2004
 
Liberal Party of Canada: History ►