Liberal-Conservative Party

The Liberal-Conservative Party was the formal name of the Conservative Party of Canada until 1917, and again from 1922 to 1938. Prior to 1970, candidates could run under any label they chose, and in many of Canada's early elections, there were both "Liberal-Conservative" and "Conservative" candidates; however, these were simply different labels used by candidates of the same party. Both were part of Sir John A. Macdonald's government and official Conservative and Liberal-Conservative candidates would not, generally, run against each other. It was also common for a candidate to run on one label in one election and the other in a subsequent election.

History

The roots of the name are in the coalition of September 11, 1854 in which moderate Reformers and Conservatives from Canada West joined with bleus from Canada East under the dual premiership of Sir Allan MacNab and A.-N. Morin. The new ministry committed to secularizing Clergy reserves in Canada West and abolishing seigneurial tenure in Canada East. Over time, the Liberal-Conservatives were commonly referred to as the Conservative party and their opponents, the Clear Grits and the Parti rouge evolved into the Liberal Party of Canada. However, the Liberal-Conservative Party remained the official name to 1917, and again from 1922 to 1938.
Prominent Liberal-Conservative Members of Parliament and Senators in Canadian history include:

Sir John A. Macdonald
Sir George-Étienne Cartier
Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt
Sir John Carling
Sir John Rose
Thomas D'Arcy McGee
Joseph Howe
Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley
Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott
John Henry Pope
Joseph-Aldric Ouimet
Sir John Sparrow David Thompson
Sir Sam Hughes
Sir Hugh John Macdonald
Archibald McLelan
Joseph Godéric Blanchet
John Costigan

The party resumed formally referring to itself as Liberal-Conservative from 1922 until 1938 when it officially became the National Conservative Party; however, it was commonly referred to as the Conservative Party throughout this period.

Liberal Conservative Coalition

In the 1957 election, George Rolland, a watchmaker, sought election as a Liberal Conservative Coalition candidate in the Toronto riding of Eglinton. He placed last, winning only 252 votes, or 0.7% of the total. Both the Liberal and Conservative parties nominated candidates in the riding, so Rolland did not have the endorsement of either party.
''Source: ''

Primary sources

J. H. Stewart Reid, et al., eds. A Source-book of Canadian History: Selected Documents and Personal Papers. pp 333–49

Category:1864 establishments in Canada
Category:Conservative Party of Canada
Category:Defunct political parties in Canada
Category:Liberal conservative parties
Category:Political parties established in 1864