Hilda Watson
Encyclopedia
Hilda Watson was a Canadian schoolteacher and politician
from the Yukon Territory. She was the first woman in Canadian history to lead a political party
which was successful in having its members elected.
Watson, who had been made the interim leader
of the Yukon Territorial Council
in 1977, led the Progressive Conservative Party
to victory in the 1978 territorial election
. However, she lost her own seat to Liberal
opponent Alice McGuire
, and therefore did not become government leader. She was succeeded as leader of the party and of the government by Chris Pearson
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from the Yukon Territory. She was the first woman in Canadian history to lead a political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
which was successful in having its members elected.
Watson, who had been made the interim leader
Interim leader
An interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
of the Yukon Territorial Council
Yukon Territorial Council
The Yukon Territorial Council was the first sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. The Council began with the appointment of its first members on July 8, 1898 and was dissolved in June of 1909.-Appointed members:...
in 1977, led the Progressive Conservative Party
Yukon Party
The Yukon Party , is a conservative political party in the Yukon Territory of Canada. It was previously known as the Yukon Progressive Conservative Party.-Declining fortunes:...
to victory in the 1978 territorial election
Yukon general election, 1978
The 1978 Yukon general election, held on November 20, 1978, was the first conventional legislative election in the history of Canada's Yukon Territory. Prior elections were held to elect representatives to the Yukon Legislative Council, a non-partisan body that acted in an advisory role to the...
. However, she lost her own seat to Liberal
Yukon Liberal Party
The Yukon Liberal Party is a political party in the Yukon Territory in Canada.Arthur Mitchell is the Leader of the Yukon Liberal Party.-History:...
opponent Alice McGuire
Alice McGuire
Alice McGuire is a Canadian politician. She represented the electoral district of Kluane in the Yukon Legislative Assembly from 1978 to 1982.She defeated Yukon Progressive Conservative leader Hilda Watson in Kluane, despite the fact that the Progressive Conservatives won the election overall...
, and therefore did not become government leader. She was succeeded as leader of the party and of the government by Chris Pearson
Chris Pearson (politician)
Christopher William Pearson was the first leader of the Yukon Progressive Conservative Party and the first Government Leader in the Yukon. Pearson moved to the Yukon in 1957 and worked for the government from 1960 until 1973 when he entered private business...
.
External links
- Feature on the 1978 Yukon election at the CBCCanadian Broadcasting CorporationThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
Archives (includes film clip in WMV format)