Conservative Party of Canada

The Conservative Party of Canada (English Conservative Party of Canada; French Parti conservateur du Canada ) is a conservative political party in Canada. It was created in December 2003 through the merger of Progressive Conservative Party with the Canadian Alliance. At the general election in October 2008, she was with a vote share of 37.6 % strongest party. With 143 out of 308 seats in the House of Commons, the Conservatives formed a minority government under the leadership of the party chairman and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In the early parliamentary election on 2 May 2011 the Conservative Party for the first time won an absolute majority of parliamentary seats. Based on the British Conservative Party, the Canadian Conservatives are usually referred to as " Tories ". In numerous political positions they are close to the Republicans in the U.S..

By 1942, there was a predecessor of the same party, see Conservative Party of Canada ( historical ).

Positions

The new Conservative Party combines two opposing views on conservatism in Canada. The Progressive Conservatives advocated positions such as government-funded social programs, rejected a closer bond to the U.S. and tried to shape Canada to the centuries-old British institutions. The conservatism in Western Canada, represented by the Canadian Alliance, was based, however, on the conservatism of U.S. coinage, and thus to the Republicans. The Canadian Alliance advocated a reform of political institutions ( according to American or Australian model ) and more rights for the provinces.

The new party in general, supports a market-oriented organization and offers itself as a political home other conservative movements such as ecologically minded conservatives, right-wing liberal, supporters of a Canadian Republic and monarchists. Since most MPs from the western provinces come, the party program is strongly influenced by the philosophy of the Reform Party of Canada, even if the Conservative party is trying to differentiate themselves from their sozialkonservativem image and be more concerned with issues such as economic, military, law and order and democratic reforms is concerned.

In general, the Conservative Party is in favor of lower taxes, smaller government administration, greater decentralization based on the ( failed ) Meech Lake Accord, higher defense spending and the harmonization of standards and regulations with those of the United States. It is against the legalization of cannabis and the registration of handguns. They are seeking reform of the Senate and the limitation of the power of the Prime Minister.

History

Stephen Harper and Peter MacKay, the party leader of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party, announced on 16 October 2003 announced the impending merger of their parties. On 5 December, the members of the alliance voted 96 % and on December 6 the Progressive Conservatives with 90 % for the concentration. Two days later, the newly formed party was officially registered. Senator John Lynch - Staunton took over on an interim basis the party chairmanship. He was succeeded on 20 March 2004 Stephen Harper, who won the National Convention against Belinda Stronach and Tony Clement.

With the merger party present fragmentation of the political landscape right of center should be overcome and a united right-wing opposition to the centrist Liberal Party of Canada to be created. Not least because of the disunity of the conservatives among themselves, the Liberals were able to win the general election in 1993, 1997 and 2001. Several prominent Progressive Conservatives, including former Prime Minister Joe Clark, the new party did not join because it positions itself with the merger too far right. Three members of the Senate refused also to take this step, so that the party actually resolved continues to be represented in Parliament.

The Conservative Party until January 2006, the official opposition ( engl. Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition; French L' opposition loyal de sa majesté ) in the Canadian House of Commons. In the elections on 28 June 2004, it reached 99 out of 308 seats in the lower house. On 23 January 2006 she won the parliamentary elections, an absolute majority they failed, however, significantly with 36 percent of the vote. New Prime Minister Stephen Harper was thus, leading a minority government the next five years. In early parliamentary elections on 2 May 2011 the Conservative Party for the first time won an absolute majority of seats in the lower house.

Election results

Party chairman

  • John Lynch - Staunton (December 8, 2003 - March 20, 2004, on an interim basis )
  • Stephen Harper ( since 20 March 2004)

Provinces and Territories

Although the Conservative Party has no official offshoot at the provincial and territorial level, but works with the offshoots of the former federal Progressive Conservative Party. Furthermore, there are bindings to other conservative dominated parties like the Saskatchewan Party, the Action démocratique du Québec and to some extent also to the more right of center standing British Columbia Liberal Party ( although a British Columbia Conservative Party exists, but is insignificant ). The conservative parties at the provincial and territorial level are organizationally independent of the federal party, but double memberships are common.

Progressive conservative offshoot

In four provinces and one territory set progressive- conservative parties, the government

  • Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
  • Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia
  • Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
  • Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Yukon Party (formerly the Yukon Progressive Conservative Party )

Strongest opposition party (the " official opposition " ):

Other conservative parties

Government Party:

  • Saskatchewan Party

Strongest opposition party (the " official opposition " ):

  • Action démocratique du Québec

Without parliamentary representation:

  • British Columbia Conservative Party
International Democrat Union Canadian federal election, 2008 Canadian federal election, 2011 Conservative Party of Canada (1867–1942) Senate of Canada John Lynch-Staunton Canadian federal election, 2004 Canadian federal election, 2006 Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island British Columbia Social Credit Party Alberta Social Credit Party List of political parties in Canada
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