Liberal–Unionists were members of the Liberal Party of Canada who, as a result of the Conscription Crisis of 1917 rejected Sir Wilfrid Laurier's leadership and supported Robert Borden's Unionist caucus from 1917 to 1920.
Liberal–Unionists | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Robert Borden[a] |
| Founded | October 12, 1917 |
| Dissolved | c. 1921 |
| Split from | Liberal Party |
| Merged into | Liberal Party (majority) Conservative Party (partially) |
| Faction within | Unionist Party |
| Ideology | British imperialism Liberalism |
Much of the Ontario Liberal Party declared themselves to be Liberal–Unionists, including provincial party leader Newton Rowell, who joined Borden's Cabinet, and a variety of Liberal MPs.
Following the dissolution of the 12th Canadian Parliament but before the 1917 federal election, Borden appointed a new cabinet, which included 1 former Liberal MP and 1 Ontario Liberal member of Provincial Parliament. In the 1917 election, many Liberals ran as Liberal–Unionists or Unionists against the Laurier Liberals.[1]
After the war, most Liberal–Unionists rejoined the Liberal Party despite efforts by Borden and Arthur Meighen to make the coalition permanent by renaming the Conservative party the National Liberal and Conservative Party. Several Liberal–Unionists ended up staying with the Conservatives including Hugh Guthrie and Robert Manion.
Notable Liberal–Unionists
edit| Member | Riding | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Broadstreet Carvell | Victoria—Carleton | Minister of Public Works (October 13, 1917 – August 6, 1919) |
| William Andrew Charlton | Norfolk | |
| Sanford Johnston Crowe | Burrard | |
| Charles Edwin Long | North Battleford | |
| John Flaws Reid | Mackenzie | |
| Member | Portfolio | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Broadstreet Carvell | Minister of Public Works | October 13, 1917 – August 6, 1919 | |
| Newton Rowell | Minister presiding over the Department of Health | June 6, 1919 – July 10, 1920 | Ontario Liberal MPP (1911–1918) |
| President of the Privy Council | October 12, 1917 – July 10, 1920 |
See also
editNotes
edit- ↑ Robert Borden was not a member of the Liberal–Unionist faction, but was the de facto leader of the group due to his leadership of the Unionist Party
References
edit- ↑ "Election of 1917". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "General Election (1917-12-17 - 1917-12-17)". Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
Sources
edit- Rose, John Holland; Newton, Arthur Percival; Benians, Ernest Alfred (1930). Canada and Newfoundland. Cambridge University Press. pp. 757–758. Retrieved 2026-03-18.