Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba

The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is a right-of-centre political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is currently the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

In power (1899-1915)

The Conservative Party became an official entity in 1899, and drew up its first election platform in the same year. It promised a board of education for the province, the creation of agricultural and technical colleges, and government ownership of railways.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hugh John Macdonald became Premier following in the 1899 election, but resigned shortly thereafter to re-enter federal politics. Sir Rodmond P. Roblin succeeded Macdonald, and ruled the province for fifteen years. Roblin's government was progressively oriented, negotiated the extension of the railway, bought Manitoba's Bell telephone operations in order to establish a government run system, introduced corporate taxation, and created a public utilities commission while running a budgetary surplus. It was less progressive on social issues, however, and is most frequently remembered today for its opposition to women's suffrage.

Related Topics:
Hugh John Macdonald - Premier - 1899 - Sir Rodmond P. Roblin - Telephone

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Tories were brought down in 1915 by a scandal involving the construction of the province's new legislative buildings. Roblin was forced to resign as Premier, and James Aikins led the party to a disastrous loss later in the year.

Related Topics:
Tories - 1915 - James Aikins

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Manitoba Conservatives received their greatest strongest from the francophone community in the 1915 election, due to the fact that the party was seen as more supportive than the Liberals of francophone education rights. This was a pronounced contrast to the situation in federal politics, where most francophone Canadians opposed the war policies of Prime Minister Robert Borden.

Related Topics:
1915 election - Robert Borden

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~