The Destuction Of The Progressive Conservative Party

The Destuction Of The Progressive Conservative Party In The 1990′S. Essay, Research Paper The destruction of the Progressive Conservative Party started in 1983 when it named Brian Mulroney the successor to Joe Clark as head of the Progressive Conservative Party. The next year elections were held and the Progressive Conservatives won record two hundred and eleven seats. He was then re-elected in the four years later as the Conservatives won another majority. Brian Mulroney was the heart of Canadians dislike of politicians and government in general. The news media claimed the recession of the 1990 s was made in Canada as a result of the Federal government s policies of high interest rates and free trade. Other causes were movement of some industrial production to Mexico and

the introduction of the popular Goods and Sales tax. By the winter of 1991, the economic situation in Canada was being compared to the worst years of the depression of 1929-1939. Twenty five per cent of the people living in Metropolitan Toronto were receiving government assistance. It s no wonder why people did not hold their government in high esteem. Brian Mulroney resigned from office in 1993. There had been scandals and cover-ups and the strong suspicion that among those in power had looked after themselves and their colleagues at the expense of the citizens who had elected him. One of Brian Mulroney s biggest mistakes as leader of the Progressive Conservatives was his policy on the oldest and most politically dangerous topics in Canada, Free Trade with the Americans. It was

unusual that someone from the PC party would support. Historically, Conservative leaders have tended to oppose the initiative, while the liberals have supported it. Mulroney said in his pre-election campaign that If it affects Canadian sovereignty and we will have none of it, not during leadership campaigns or at any other time. Two months later, Mulroney s Finance Minister, Michael Wilson said that there are opportunities to trade with the Americans. Ronald Reagan, who was President of the United States at this time, talked Mulroney into accepting Free Trade. Even though there were threats in Ontario saying that over 280,000 manufacturing jobs in Ontario would be lost; it had no affect on the Prime Minister. Quebec would end up gainig with Free Trade but Ontario, P.E.I and

Manitoba were against it. Free Trade seemed to be a mistake as many factories closed and many people lost their jobs around the country. Although at the time many Canadians weren t interested in Free Trade, in the long road Mulroney lost the trust of many of his supporters for contradicting himself about this policy. When it came to Mulroney s Social Policies, many people were confused. Although social justice was one of his major campaign building blocks, he had never been consistent on the issue. In 1994, the Tories found themselves embroiled in a dispute over what they said or didn t say about social spending. It seemed that the P.M and his finance minister were in conflict about how much money was going where. Mulroney repudiated statements made by Wilson in a taped interview

with the Canadian Press. Wilson said that the Conservatives had purposely hidden their intentions to redirect social spending because they were afraid the liberals would use it to their advantage. Mulroney then said, Nothing could be farther from the truth. For weeks and months later, Mulroney never made it clear his policy on social spending; stating that nothing will change or he was open to dialogue. The Tories were now starting to lose points in the polls due to the lack of trust the people had in their leader. Throughout most of his years in office debating endlessly the pros and cons of a distinct society for Quebec. The longer this went the more unpopular the Prime Minister became, especially in Western Canada. In most elections in modern times, the Conservatives have done