Liberal Party of Canada

The Liberal Party is the current governing party of Canada. It is only one of the two parties that have alternatively governed Canada since confederation, the other being the Conservatives. In the post-WWII period, the Liberal Party was a champion of social goals, most notably Pierre Trudeau's campaign to create a "just society". In recent years, however, the party has been accused of "campaigning on the left and ruling on the right". Known colloquially as the `Grits', the Liberal Party has held office for a substantial majority of the past centry.

Leaders of the Liberal Party:

• Alexander Mackenzie (1872-1880)
• Edward Blake[?] (1880-1887)
• Wilfrid Laurier (1887-1919)
• William Lyon Mackenzie King (1919-1948)
• Louis St. Laurent (1948-1958)
• Lester B. Pearson (1958-1968)
• Pierre Trudeau (1968-1984)
• John Turner (1984-1990)
• Jean Chretien (1990-present, as of May 2003)

Each province in Canada has its own Liberal Party, but these are not linked to the federal Liberals.

See also:

• Parti liberal du Quebec
• BC Liberal Party