Progressive Democratic Alliance
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Democratic Alliance was a centrist political party in British Columbia
, Canada founded by Gordon Wilson
, Member of the Legislative Assembly
(MLA) for Powell River—Sunshine Coast.
Wilson, previously the leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party
, led that party through a breakthrough in the provincial election of 1991
, in which they rose from no parliamentary representation to official opposition status. He was unable to hold his caucus together, however, and was forced to call a leadership convention following revelations about his personal relationship with another member of the small Liberal caucus, Judi Tyabji
, MLA for Okanagan East. Tyabji and Wilson were both married to others at the time; they subsequently divorced and married each other. Many in the Liberal Party believed that their relationship created at least the potential for a serious conflict of interest.
After losing the leadership challenge to Gordon Campbell, who in turn led the party to victory in the 2001 provincial election
, Wilson and Tyabji left the party to establish the Progressive Democratic Alliance on December 5, 1993.
In the subsequent June 26, 1996 general election
, Wilson retained his seat, while all 65 other PDA candidates, including Tyabji, were defeated. The party won a total of 90,797 votes, or 5.74% of the popular vote.
The PDA was disbanded by Wilson in 1997 when he joined the ruling New Democratic Party of British Columbia
to become a member of Cabinet. He later ran for the provincial NDP leadership, but dropped out a few days before the vote when it was obvious that he could not win. He lost his legislative seat in the 2001 provincial election.
In 2004, former party activists attempted to resuscitate the PDA. Finding financial obstacles, they instead formed the British Columbia Democratic Alliance
, billing it as a successor organization.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada founded by Gordon Wilson
Gordon Wilson (Canadian politician)
Gordon Wilson is a former provincial politician in British Columbia. He served as leader of the Liberal Party of BC from 1987–1993, leader and founder of the Progressive Democratic Alliance from 1993–1997, and in the provincial cabinet as Minister of Finance and Minister of Employment, Investment...
, Member of the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its branch.The name is used by a number of member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a number of Latin American countries....
(MLA) for Powell River—Sunshine Coast.
Wilson, previously the leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party
British Columbia Liberal Party
The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election...
, led that party through a breakthrough in the provincial election of 1991
British Columbia general election, 1991
The British Columbia general election of 1991 was the 35th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on September 19, 1991, and held on October 17, 1991...
, in which they rose from no parliamentary representation to official opposition status. He was unable to hold his caucus together, however, and was forced to call a leadership convention following revelations about his personal relationship with another member of the small Liberal caucus, Judi Tyabji
Judi Tyabji
Judeline Kim Mary "Judi" Tyabji is a former British Columbia politician and the wife of former provincial Leader of the Opposition Gordon Wilson...
, MLA for Okanagan East. Tyabji and Wilson were both married to others at the time; they subsequently divorced and married each other. Many in the Liberal Party believed that their relationship created at least the potential for a serious conflict of interest.
After losing the leadership challenge to Gordon Campbell, who in turn led the party to victory in the 2001 provincial election
British Columbia general election, 2001
The British Columbia general election of 2001 was the 37th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 18, 2001, and held on May 16, 2001...
, Wilson and Tyabji left the party to establish the Progressive Democratic Alliance on December 5, 1993.
In the subsequent June 26, 1996 general election
British Columbia general election, 1996
The British Columbia general election of 1996 was the thirty sixth provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 30, 1996, and held on May 28, 1996...
, Wilson retained his seat, while all 65 other PDA candidates, including Tyabji, were defeated. The party won a total of 90,797 votes, or 5.74% of the popular vote.
The PDA was disbanded by Wilson in 1997 when he joined the ruling New Democratic Party of British Columbia
New Democratic Party of British Columbia
The New Democratic Party of British Columbia is a social-democratic political party in British Columbia, Canada. The party currently forms the official opposition to the governing British Columbia Liberal Party following the 2009 provincial election in British Columbia.The BC NDP is the provincial...
to become a member of Cabinet. He later ran for the provincial NDP leadership, but dropped out a few days before the vote when it was obvious that he could not win. He lost his legislative seat in the 2001 provincial election.
In 2004, former party activists attempted to resuscitate the PDA. Finding financial obstacles, they instead formed the British Columbia Democratic Alliance
British Columbia Democratic Alliance
The British Columbia Democratic Alliance was a political party at the provincial level in the Province of British Columbia, Canada.It was founded in June 2004 by "individuals who are progressive in their policies, democratic in their principles, and represent an alliance of interests reflecting the...
, billing it as a successor organization.