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.

Leaders of the Liberal Party

• George Brown (July 1 1867 - September 20 1867)¹ (unofficial)
• Alexander Mackenzie (March 6 1873 - April 27, 1880)
• Edward Blake (May 4, 1880 - June 2, 1887)
• Wilfrid Laurier (June 23, 1887 - February 17, 1919)
• Daniel Duncan McKenzie (February 17, 1919 - August 7, 1919 interim)
• William Lyon Mackenzie King (August 7, 1919 - August 6, 1948)
• Louis St. Laurent (August 7, 1948 - January 15, 1958)
• Lester B. Pearson (January 16, 1958 - April 5, 1968)
• Pierre Trudeau (April 6, 1968 - June 15, 1984)
• John Turner (June 16, 1984 - June 22, 1990)
• Jean Chrétien (June 23, 1990 - November 13, 2003)²
• Paul Martin (November 14, 2003 - present)

NOTES:

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1 Brown was regarded by most Liberal candidates as their leader in the 1867 election but did not officially hold the title. Had he won a seat he would have almost certainly become Leader of the Opposition and had the Liberals won enough seats to form a government Brown would almost certainly have become Prime Minister. However, he failed in his bid for a seat in the House of Commons and the Liberals had no official leader until 1873.

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2 Herb Gray served as Leader of the Opposition from June 23 until Chrétien was re-elected to Parliament in December 1990, though he was never the leader or interim leader, of the Liberal party.

Related Topics:
Herb Gray - June 23

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The Liberal Party held its first leadership convention in 1919, electing William Lyon Mackenzie King as leader. Prior to that party leaders were chosen by caucus.

Related Topics:
Leadership convention - William Lyon Mackenzie King - Caucus

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See also: Liberal leadership conventions for ballot by ballot results.

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