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.

The party under Gary Filmon (1983-1999)

Gary Filmon became leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 1983, and formed a minority government in 1988 after defeating the NDP. Filmon's Tories remained in power for three terms, winning a majority government in 1990 and again in 1995.

Related Topics:
Gary Filmon - 1983 - Minority government - 1988 - Majority government - 1990 - 1995

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Filmon's government avoided excessive conservative rhetoric, but nonetheless reduced corporate taxes, mandated balanced budgets, and limited the power of teacher's and nurse's unions. It supported the Charlottetown Accord (a proposal for amending the Canadian constitution), as well as free trade with the United States. The party's financial austerity program resulted in a balanced budget in 1995, the first in 20 years.

Related Topics:
Charlottetown Accord - Free trade - Austerity

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The Tories were hurt in the late 1990s by increased unemployment, a vote-manipulation scandal from the 1995 election (see Independent Native Voice), and the decline of the Manitoba Liberal Party. The latter development allowed the anti-Tory vote to coalesce around the NDP, contributing to that party's 1999 victory.

Related Topics:
1995 - Independent Native Voice - Manitoba Liberal Party - 1999

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