Alberta Non-Partisan League
Encyclopedia
The Alberta Non-Partisan League was a minor provincial political party in Alberta
, Canada
. The league changed its name to the Non-Partisan Political League of Canada: Alberta Branch in 1917 as it prepared to move into federal politics. The party would changed its name yet again as the Farmers Non-Partisan Political League.
The league was formed to promote the active interest of farmers in the political arena, because it was felt that the Alberta Liberal
and Conservative parties did not represent farmers. The non-partisan league conducted extensive meetings with interested farmers across rural Alberta and was socialist in inclination under the influence of William Irvine
.
The League ran one official candidate and several independent or Labour candidates (through the NPL co-sponsored Labour Representation League) in the June 1917 provincial election
. J.E. Hillier finished third in a tight three way race in Pincher Creek
. However, Louise McKinney
and Jeffery Grajkowski were elected as independent MLAs and sat in the legislature on behalf of the NPL.
Lorne Proudfoot
future United Farmers of Alberta
Member of the Legislative Assembly, had extensive involvement with the league, however he ran officially as an independent candidate for the Independent Political Association for the constituency of Acadia.
In the months that followed, the party became active in federal politics. The decision was made at a 1917 convention in Calgary. The Non-Partisan Political League of Canada was founded. It nominated three candidates in the December 1917 federal election
. None were elected.
The league continued organizational efforts for the next few years, gathering a sizeable campaign fund, holding townhalls and increasing the member base. The league's political activities resulted on pressure on the United Farmers of Alberta
to either enter electoral politics or face being eclipsed by the NPL. The UFA decided to launch a political arm and, in 1919, absorbed the NPL. The ground work and organization done by the league helped the UFA win a 1919 by-election and the 1921 provincial election
.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The league changed its name to the Non-Partisan Political League of Canada: Alberta Branch in 1917 as it prepared to move into federal politics. The party would changed its name yet again as the Farmers Non-Partisan Political League.
The league was formed to promote the active interest of farmers in the political arena, because it was felt that the Alberta Liberal
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
and Conservative parties did not represent farmers. The non-partisan league conducted extensive meetings with interested farmers across rural Alberta and was socialist in inclination under the influence of William Irvine
William Irvine (Canadian politician)
William Irvine was a Canadian politician, journalist and clergyman. He served in the Canadian House of Commons on three different occasions, as a representative of Labour, the United Farmers of Alberta and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
.
The League ran one official candidate and several independent or Labour candidates (through the NPL co-sponsored Labour Representation League) in the June 1917 provincial election
Alberta general election, 1917
The Alberta general election of 1917 was the fourth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada, held on 7 June 1917 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. J.E. Hillier finished third in a tight three way race in Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek (provincial electoral district)
-1905 general election:The Pincher Creek electoral district was created in 1905 when Alberta became a province independent of the Northwest Territories. The district in its original boundaries occupied the southwestern region of the province when it was first created. The first general election...
. However, Louise McKinney
Louise McKinney
Louise McKinney née Crummy was a provincial politician and women's rights activist from Alberta, Canada. She was the first woman sworn in to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the first woman elected to a legislature in Canada and in the British Empire...
and Jeffery Grajkowski were elected as independent MLAs and sat in the legislature on behalf of the NPL.
Lorne Proudfoot
Lorne Proudfoot
Lorne Proudfoot was a farmer, teacher and a provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1921 to 1935 sitting with the United Farmers caucus in government.-Early life:...
future United Farmers of Alberta
United Farmers of Alberta
The United Farmers of Alberta is an association of Alberta farmers that has served many different roles throughout its history as a lobby group, a political party, and as a farm-supply retail chain. Since 1934 it has primarily been an agricultural supply cooperative headquartered in Calgary...
Member of the Legislative Assembly, had extensive involvement with the league, however he ran officially as an independent candidate for the Independent Political Association for the constituency of Acadia.
In the months that followed, the party became active in federal politics. The decision was made at a 1917 convention in Calgary. The Non-Partisan Political League of Canada was founded. It nominated three candidates in the December 1917 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1917
The 1917 Canadian federal election was held on December 17, 1917, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 13th Parliament of Canada. Described by historian Michael Bliss as the "most bitter election in Canadian history", it was fought mainly over the issue of conscription...
. None were elected.
The league continued organizational efforts for the next few years, gathering a sizeable campaign fund, holding townhalls and increasing the member base. The league's political activities resulted on pressure on the United Farmers of Alberta
United Farmers of Alberta
The United Farmers of Alberta is an association of Alberta farmers that has served many different roles throughout its history as a lobby group, a political party, and as a farm-supply retail chain. Since 1934 it has primarily been an agricultural supply cooperative headquartered in Calgary...
to either enter electoral politics or face being eclipsed by the NPL. The UFA decided to launch a political arm and, in 1919, absorbed the NPL. The ground work and organization done by the league helped the UFA win a 1919 by-election and the 1921 provincial election
Alberta general election, 1921
The Alberta general election of 1921 was the fifth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on July 18, 1921 to elect members to the 5th Alberta Legislative Assembly....
.
External links
- Lorne Proudfoots correspondence with the non-partisan league
- news paper clippings and party material relating to the Non-Partisan League
- Louise McKinney non-partisan MLA fonds