Progressive Party of Manitoba (1981-1995)
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Party of Manitoba was a political party in Manitoba
, Canada which existed from 1981 to 1995. The party was created in March 1981 by five former members of the province's New Democratic Party
: Sidney Green, Ben Hanuschak
, Bud Boyce
, Murdoch Mackay and Max Hofford. Green was acknowledged as the party's leader.
Despite its name, this party had no formal or historical connections with the original Progressive Party of Manitoba
, which was created in 1922 and governed the province from its founding until 1958 (after 1932 in an alliance with the Manitoba Liberal Party
).
Green, Hanuschak and Boyce were members of the provincial legislature in 1981, having been elected as NDP candidates. All three had previously served as cabinet ministers in the government of Edward Schreyer
(1969–1977).
The party was initially regarded as socialist, and promoted traditionally leftist policies such as full employment
and increased profits taxation on resource industries. However, it was also influenced by ideas usually associated with the radical (but not extreme) right.
Green had left the NDP in 1979. Green opposed what he described as "special privileges" for unions and minority groups, and was particularly opposed to the NDP's plans for anti-scab legislation. These views were reflected in Progressive Party policy.
The Progressives were initially the third-largest party in the provincial legislature (the Liberals
having been reduced to one seat in 1977), and sought to run a full slate of candidates in 1981. They were unable to do this, however, and were unable to mount a successful challenge against the dominant NDP and Progressive Conservatives
. All Progressive candidates were defeated, including the three incumbents; Green placed a poor third in Inkster
, which he had represented since 1966.
The Progressive Party never recovered from this early loss. It ran twelve candidates in 1986 (including Green and Hanuschak), but all fared poorly. The party was reduced to six candidates in 1988, although it received some attention for featuring former Premier
Douglas Campbell
(of the original Progressive Party
) at one of its rallies. The Progressives ran only five candidates in 1990, the minimum required for ballot status.
During its later years, the Progressive Party placed a stronger emphasis on its "radical right" elements. In 1990, its campaign literature emphasized balanced budgets, and rejected distinct status for minority groups.
Green, who remained the party's leader throughout all stages of its development, finally dissolved the Progressive Party on July 13, 1995 when his attempts to find a successor came to nothing.
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada which existed from 1981 to 1995. The party was created in March 1981 by five former members of the province's New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party of Manitoba
The New Democratic Party of Manitoba is a social-democratic political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is the provincial wing of the federal New Democratic Party, and is a successor to the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
: Sidney Green, Ben Hanuschak
Ben Hanuschak
Ben Hanuschak is a Manitoba politician. He was a cabinet minister in the government of New Democratic Premier Edward Schreyer, and was subsequently a founding member of the Progressive Party of Manitoba....
, Bud Boyce
Bud Boyce
Joseph Russell Boyce was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1969 to 1981, and served in the cabinet of Edward Schreyer...
, Murdoch Mackay and Max Hofford. Green was acknowledged as the party's leader.
Despite its name, this party had no formal or historical connections with the original Progressive Party of Manitoba
Progressive Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Party of Manitoba, Canada, was a political party that developed from the United Farmers of Manitoba, an agrarian movement that became politically active following World War I...
, which was created in 1922 and governed the province from its founding until 1958 (after 1932 in an alliance with the Manitoba Liberal Party
Manitoba Liberal Party
The Manitoba Liberal Party is a political party in Manitoba, Canada. Its roots can be traced to the late nineteenth-century, following the province's creation in 1870.-Origins and early development :...
).
Green, Hanuschak and Boyce were members of the provincial legislature in 1981, having been elected as NDP candidates. All three had previously served as cabinet ministers in the government of Edward Schreyer
Edward Schreyer
Edward Richard Schreyer , commonly known as Ed Schreyer, is a Canadian politician, diplomat, and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 22nd since Canadian Confederation....
(1969–1977).
The party was initially regarded as socialist, and promoted traditionally leftist policies such as full employment
Full employment
In macroeconomics, full employment is a condition of the national economy, where all or nearly all persons willing and able to work at the prevailing wages and working conditions are able to do so....
and increased profits taxation on resource industries. However, it was also influenced by ideas usually associated with the radical (but not extreme) right.
Green had left the NDP in 1979. Green opposed what he described as "special privileges" for unions and minority groups, and was particularly opposed to the NDP's plans for anti-scab legislation. These views were reflected in Progressive Party policy.
The Progressives were initially the third-largest party in the provincial legislature (the Liberals
Manitoba Liberal Party
The Manitoba Liberal Party is a political party in Manitoba, Canada. Its roots can be traced to the late nineteenth-century, following the province's creation in 1870.-Origins and early development :...
having been reduced to one seat in 1977), and sought to run a full slate of candidates in 1981. They were unable to do this, however, and were unable to mount a successful challenge against the dominant NDP and Progressive Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is the only right wing political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Origins and early years:...
. All Progressive candidates were defeated, including the three incumbents; Green placed a poor third in Inkster
Inkster riding, Manitoba
Inkster is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is located in the northwestern corner of the city of Winnipeg. Officially created by redistribution in 1957, it has formally existed since the provincial election of 1958....
, which he had represented since 1966.
The Progressive Party never recovered from this early loss. It ran twelve candidates in 1986 (including Green and Hanuschak), but all fared poorly. The party was reduced to six candidates in 1988, although it received some attention for featuring former Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
Douglas Campbell
Douglas Lloyd Campbell
Douglas Lloyd Campbell, OC was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as the 13th Premier of Manitoba from 1948 to 1958...
(of the original Progressive Party
Progressive Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Party of Manitoba, Canada, was a political party that developed from the United Farmers of Manitoba, an agrarian movement that became politically active following World War I...
) at one of its rallies. The Progressives ran only five candidates in 1990, the minimum required for ballot status.
During its later years, the Progressive Party placed a stronger emphasis on its "radical right" elements. In 1990, its campaign literature emphasized balanced budgets, and rejected distinct status for minority groups.
Green, who remained the party's leader throughout all stages of its development, finally dissolved the Progressive Party on July 13, 1995 when his attempts to find a successor came to nothing.
See also
- List of Canadian political parties