Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
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|---|---|
 |
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| Abbreviation | PC |
| Leader | Obby Khan |
| President | Brent Pooles |
| Deputy Leader | Jeff Bereza |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Headquarters | 23 Kennedy Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1S5 |
| Membership (2025) |  11,000 |
| Ideology |
|
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Blue |
| Seats in Legislature |
20 / 57
|
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, often called the PC Party or just PC, is a political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is known for its "centre-right" ideas. This means it generally supports less government spending and lower taxes.
The PC Party is currently the official opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. This means they are the second-largest party and challenge the government in power. They became the opposition after the 2023 Manitoba general election.
Contents
- The PC Party: A Look at Its History
- Leaders of the Party
- Election Results
- See Also
The PC Party: A Look at Its History
How the Party Started in Manitoba
The PC Party's story began in the late 1800s. When Manitoba joined Canada in 1870, political parties were not very strong. People often voted based on their community, religion, or language.
Early leaders like Marc-Amable Girard were linked to the federal Conservative Party. However, the government of Premier John Norquay included both Liberals and Conservatives. He tried to keep politics "non-partisan," meaning without strong party labels.
By 1882, Norquay's government became more like a Conservative one. In the 1883 election, political parties started to appear on the ballot. This was a big step towards modern party politics in Manitoba.
Growing Pains: The Party in the Late 1800s
After Norquay left office in 1887, the party faced challenges. For a while, Conservative politicians simply called themselves "the opposition." There wasn't always a clear leader.
Rodmond Roblin was an important Conservative politician in the 1890s. Later, Hugh John Macdonald, son of Canada's first Prime Minister, became the official party leader in 1897. Roblin continued to lead the opposition in the legislature.
Taking Power: The Early 1900s
The Conservative Party officially formed in 1899. They promised things like better education and government ownership of railways.
Hugh John Macdonald became the Premier of Manitoba after the 1899 Manitoba general election. He soon left to work in federal politics. Rodmond Roblin then took over and led the province for 15 years.
Roblin's government was quite forward-thinking for its time. It expanded railways, bought the telephone system to make it government-run, and introduced taxes for companies. They also managed to keep a balanced budget. However, they were not as progressive on social issues, like opposing women's right to vote.
Losing Power and Rebuilding: 1915 to 1930s
In 1915, a scandal about building the Manitoba Legislative Building caused Roblin's government to fall. James Aikins led the party to a big loss in the election that year.
The party struggled for many years after this. They were a small group in the legislature. Farmers and labour movements became more powerful in politics.
Over the next two decades, the Conservatives slowly gained support. But they couldn't defeat the Progressive government led by John Bracken. In 1932, the Progressives even teamed up with the Liberals to keep the Conservatives from winning.
In 1936, Errick Willis became the party leader. He also tried to defeat Bracken's government but was unsuccessful.
Joining Forces: The 1940s to 1970s
Working Together in Coalition (1940–1950)
In 1940, Errick Willis agreed to join Bracken's government in a wartime "coalition." This meant different parties worked together during World War II. Willis held an important position in this government.
In 1946, the party changed its name to the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. This matched the name of the federal party. By 1950, the PCs decided to leave the coalition government.
Ups and Downs: 1953 to 1975
After leaving the coalition, the PCs faced challenges. In 1954, Dufferin Roblin, Rodmond Roblin's grandson, became the party leader. He worked hard to rebuild the party.
In 1958, Roblin's PCs won a minority government. They promised things like more money for schools and building new roads. These ideas were quite progressive for the time. In 1959, Roblin won a majority government. His government focused on social improvements, like bringing French back into schools.
In 1967, Roblin left provincial politics. Walter Weir took over, but his government was defeated by the New Democratic Party in 1969. Sidney Spivak led the party from 1971 to 1975 but couldn't win against the NDP.
Sterling Lyon and Gary Filmon Eras (1975–1999)
Sterling Lyon's Leadership (1975–1981)
Sterling Lyon became leader in 1975. He moved the party towards more economically liberal ideas, focusing on cutting spending and taxes. The Lyon PCs won the 1977 Manitoba general election. However, Manitobans were not happy with these changes, and the party lost the next election in 1981.
Gary Filmon's Leadership (1983–1999)
Gary Filmon became leader in 1983. He led the party to a minority government win in 1988. Filmon's PCs stayed in power for three terms, winning majority governments in 1990 and 1995.
His government reduced taxes for businesses and made sure the budget was balanced. They also supported free trade with the United States. By 1995, they achieved a balanced budget, the first in 20 years.
Towards the end of the 1990s, the PCs faced problems like rising unemployment. In the 1999 Manitoba general election, voters chose the NDP over the PCs.
Recent Leaders: 2000s to Today
After Filmon, Stuart Murray became leader in 2000. The party won fewer seats in the 2003 election. Murray stepped down in 2005.
Hugh McFadyen became leader in 2006. In the 2007 Manitoba general election, the party gained more public support, but lost one seat. He stepped down after the 2011 Manitoba general election.
Pallister and Stefanson Leadership (2012–2024)
In 2012, Brian Pallister became the new leader. He led the party to a big victory in the 2016 Manitoba general election. The PCs won 40 out of 57 seats, which was the largest majority government in Manitoba's history.
Pallister was re-elected with another majority government in 2019. He announced his resignation in August 2021. Kelvin Goertzen served as interim leader and Premier for a short time.
Heather Stefanson became the new PC leader on October 30, 2021. She was sworn in as Premier on November 2, 2021. This made her the first female Premier in Manitoba's history.
The PC government was defeated in the 2023 Manitoba general election. The PCs are now the official opposition in the 43rd Manitoba Legislature.
Leaders of the Party
- John Norquay, October 1878 – December 1887 (Premier: 1878–1887)
- David Howard Harrison, December 1887 – July 1889 (Premier: 1887–1888)
- Rodmond Roblin, July 1889 – March 1897 (house leader)
- Hugh John Macdonald, March 1897 – October 1900 (Premier: 1900)
- Rodmond Roblin, October 1900 – May 1915 (Premier: 1900–1915)
- Sir James Aikins, May 1915 – January 1916
- Albert Prefontaine, January 1916 – November 6, 1919
- R.G. Willis, November 6, 1919 – April 5, 1922
- John Thomas Haig led the Manitoba Conservatives in the legislature from 1920 to 1922.
- Fawcett Taylor, April 5, 1922 – April 1933
- W. Sanford Evans, April 1933 – June 1936
- Errick Willis, June 1936 – June 1954
- Dufferin Roblin, June 1954 – November 1967 (Premier: 1958–1967)
- Walter Weir, November 1967 – February 1971 (Premier: 1967–1969)
- Sidney Spivak, February 1971 – December 1975
- Sterling Lyon, December 1975 – December 1983 (Premier: 1977–1981)
- Gary Filmon, December 1983 – May 29, 2000 (Premier: 1988–1999)
- Bonnie Mitchelson, May 29, 2000 – November 4, 2000 (interim)
- Stuart Murray, November 4, 2000 – April 29, 2006
- Hugh McFadyen, April 29, 2006 – July 30, 2012
- Brian Pallister, July 30, 2012 – September 1, 2021 (Premier: 2016–2021)
- Kelvin Goertzen, September 1, 2021 – October 30, 2021 (interim) (Premier: 2021)
- Heather Stefanson, October 30, 2021 – January 15, 2024 (Premier: 2021–2023)
- Wayne Ewasko, January 18, 2024 – April 26, 2025 (interim)
- Obby Khan, April 26, 2025 – present
Election Results
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 | John Norquay |
13 / 24
|
1st | Majority1 | |||
| 1883 |
20 / 30
|
7 |
 1st |
Majority | |||
| 1886 |
20 / 35
|
|
1st |
Majority | |||
| 1888 | David Howard Harrison |
4 / 38
|
 16 |
2nd |
Opposition | ||
| 1892 |
9 / 40
|
5 |
2nd |
Opposition | |||
| 1896 |
5 / 40
|
4 |
2nd |
Opposition | |||
| 1899 | Hugh John Macdonald |
22 / 40
|
17 |
1st |
Majority2 | ||
| 1903 | Rodmond Roblin | 48.98 |
32 / 40
|
10 |
1st |
Majority | |
| 1907 | 50.57 |
28 / 41
|
4 |
1st |
Majority | ||
| 1910 | 50.7 |
28 / 41
|
|
1st |
Majority | ||
| 1914 | 46.9 |
28 / 49
|
|
1st |
Majority | ||
| 1915 | James Albert Manning Aikins | 33.0 |
5 / 47
|
23 |
2nd |
Opposition | |
| 1920 | Richard G. Willis | 18.5 |
8 / 55
|
3 |
4th |
Fourth party | |
| 1922 | Fawcett Taylor | 15.5 |
7 / 55
|
1 |
3rd |
Third party | |
| 1927 | 27.2 |
15 / 55
|
8 |
2nd |
Opposition | ||
| 1932 | 35.4 |
10 / 55
|
5 |
2nd |
Opposition | ||
| 1936 | Errick Willis | 27.8 |
16 / 55
|
6 |
2nd |
Opposition | |
| 1941 | 19.9 |
12 / 55
|
4 |
2nd |
Coalition | ||
| 1945 | 15.9 |
13 / 55
|
1 |
2nd |
Coalition | ||
| 1949 | 19.1 |
9 / 57
|
4 |
2nd |
Coalition | ||
| 1953 | 56,278 | 21.03 |
12 / 57
|
3 |
2nd |
Opposition | |
| 1958 | Dufferin Roblin | 117,822 | 40.6 |
26 / 57
|
14 |
1st |
Minority |
| 1959 | 147,140 | 47.0 |
36 / 57
|
10 |
1st |
Majority | |
| 1962 | 134,208 | 45.0 |
36 / 57
|
0 |
1st |
Majority | |
| 1966 | 130,102 | 39.96 |
31 / 57
|
5 |
1st |
Majority | |
| 1969 | Walter Weir | 119,021 | 35.56 |
22 / 57
|
9 |
2nd |
Opposition |
| 1973 | Sidney Spivak | 171,553 | 36.73 |
21 / 57
|
1 |
2nd |
Opposition |
| 1977 | Sterling Lyon | 237,496 | 48.75 |
33 / 57
|
12 |
1st |
Majority |
| 1981 | 211,602 | 43.82 |
23 / 57
|
10 |
2nd |
Opposition | |
| 1986 | Gary Filmon | 193,728 | 40.56 |
26 / 57
|
3 |
2nd |
Opposition |
| 1988 | 206,180 | 38.37 |
25 / 57
|
1 |
1st |
Minority | |
| 1990 | 206,810 | 41.99 |
30 / 57
|
5 |
1st |
Majority | |
| 1995 | 216,246 | 42.87 |
31 / 57
|
1 |
1st |
Majority | |
| 1999 | 201,562 | 40.84 |
24 / 57
|
7 |
2nd |
Opposition | |
| 2003 | Stuart Murray | 142,967 | 36.19 |
20 / 57
|
4 |
2nd |
Opposition |
| 2007 | Hugh McFadyen | 158,511 | 37.89 |
19 / 57
|
1 |
2nd |
Opposition |
| 2011 | 188,528 | 43.86 |
19 / 57
|
0 |
2nd |
Opposition | |
| 2016 | Brian Pallister | 231,157 | 53.20 |
40 / 57
|
21 |
1st |
Majority |
| 2019 | 221,007 | 47.07 |
36 / 57
|
4 |
1st |
Majority | |
| 2023 | Heather Stefanson | 203,350 | 41.86 |
22 / 57
|
13 |
2nd |
Opposition |
- 1Includes 7 Liberal-Conservatives
- 2Includes 3 Liberal-Conservatives
See Also
- List of Manitoba general elections
- Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba leadership elections
