BIOGRAPHY / HISTORY
The root of the modern day Progressive Conservative Party of Canada is found in the 1854 Liberal Conservative Coalition Government of the Province of Canada which was headed by Sir John A. Macdonald. Between 1873 and 1878, the Liberal Conservative Party dropped the Liberal label in favour of the title Conservative Party which was in keeping with the flavour of Macdonald's National Policy and pro-British election platform. From 1917 to 1920 the party was known as the Union Party. The name changed again to the National Liberal and Conservative Party from 1920 to 1922. It then reverted back to the original name of Liberal Conservative Party until 1938 when it became the National Conservative Party. The name of the party changed once again in 1942 with the election of former Progressive Party member and Manitoba Premier, John Bracken, to the Conservative Party leadership. The name became the Progressive Conservative Party, as it is known today. The ideologies of the Conservative Party have remained fundamentally the same since the inception of the party with some variations over the years. The party is tied, albeit loosely, to the British Conservative Party, and in turn, to the ideals of toryism (collectivism and privledge as the salient features of social and political life), but the Canadian Conservatives have also supported business liberalism. Business liberalism (ie. free enterprise) in combination with toryism are two sets of ideas which are not readily reconciled, therefore, the Conservative Party, regardless of title, has constantly been shifting, since its inception, to keep these ideals in balance with public and party opinion, and has not always been successful. Since 1935, the success of the federal Liberal Party has heavily outweighed the success of the Progressive Conservative Party. Some of the more notable Conservative Party leaders include Sir John A. Macdonald, R.B. Bennett, John Diefenbaker, and Brian Mulroney. (information taken from: "The Canadian Encyclopedia", second edition, 1988, and "Politcal Parties and Ideologies in Canada" by W. Christian and C. Campbell, 1983)
CUSTODIAL HISTORY
This fonds was in the custody of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada until it was donated to Trent University.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
This fonds consists of speeches by Robert Stanfield, November 20, 1967 to May 17, 1968; National Convention Policies, December 14, 1956; questionnaire and Chairman's Report of the Leadership Convention, 1967 (September); a statement by George Hees prior to the Convention; Montmorency Conference (August 7 - 10, 1967): readings and conference resume; and Progressive Conservative Party Research Department Reports (#'s 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 16, 18, 34, 39, 41, 44, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 69, 84, 85, 96) concerning industrial relations, economic, and political policies.
NOTES
Title based on the political party which created the fonds.
The fonds was donated by Donald Eldon on behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.
Restrictions: N
Finding aids: Y
Associated material available at the National Archives of Canada and the Archives of Ontario.
For related records see: 72-002 and 77-024 (Frost Papers).
Report on the Montmorency Conference Aug 1-10, 1967
readings for the Montmorency Conference
Folder
1. Report of the Committee on Resolutions and Policy as adopted by the National Convention, 14 Dec 1956
Resolution submitted by Progressive Conservative Organizations concerning same
2. "The Need for a Pollution Abatement Policy as a Priority Item" (Campaign memo from National Headquarters)
A Commentary on the Preliminary Report of the Royal Commission on Canada's Economic Prospects (April 11, 1957)
"Policies for the Dynamic Society", by George Hees (prior to leadership convention 1967)
3. Chairman's Report - Conventions Policy; Committee Meetings: 5,6,7, Sept, 1967
Questionnaire for delegates to the Progressive Conservative leadership Convention, Sept, 1967
4. Speeches of Robert Stanfield, 20 Nov 1967 - 17 May 1968
Reports of the Progressive Conservative 'Research Department' c. 1956
No 3 Monetary Functions
of Gold
No 5 Canada's Stake in GATT
No 6 Unemployment Insurance Benefits
No 9 Federal Government Subsidies
No 10 Survey of Conservative Party Legislation in Various
fields
No 12 The Social Credit Movement
No 16 The Growth of Economic Activity of Governments in
Canada
Reports of the 'Research Departments'
No 18 The Problem
of Canada's Wheat Surplus
No 34 The Direction of Canada's Economic Growth
No 39 Business Depression and Changes in Government, 1867-
1956
No 41 American Penetration in Canadian Business
No 44 The Psychology
of the Voter
No 52 Survey of Canadian Combines Legislation
Reports of the 'Research Department'
No 54 Parliament
and the Trans-Canada Pipeline
No 56 A Comparison of Old Age Security Programs in Canada
and the United
Sates
No 58 Federal Legislation on Labour Relations and Working
Conditions:
Current Views
No 59 Progressive Conservative Party Resolutions since
1946
No 68 Combating Inflation in Canada
No 84 A National Farm Development Program
No 85 American Practices Harmful to Canada
No 96 Use of Governor-General's Warrents following
Dissolution
of Parliament