National Party of Canada (1979)
Encyclopedia
The National Party of Canada was considered a left-wing political party
that was founded in Canada
in 1979 to promote Canadian independence.
The party's leader, Robin Mathews
, was an active member and cultural critic for the Waffle
movement in the New Democratic Party
(NDP).
During the 1980 federal election
, held on February 18, 1980, of that year, Mathews ran as the National Party candidate in Ottawa Centre
. He placed fifth in a field of 10 candidates, following the Liberal
, Progressive Conservative
, NDP and Rhinoceros Party candidates, but ahead of three independents (including John C. Turmel
, a Communist
and a Marxist-Leninist
.) Mathews collected 171 votes, or 0.39% of the total.
Don Hayward was the party's candidate in the Toronto
riding of Broadview—Greenwood. He received 53 votes (0.17%), finishing seventh against New Democratic Party
candidate Bob Rae
. A thirty-three year old factory worker, he expressed concern about American dominance of Canadian industry.
The party dissolved during the later part of the 1980s.
It should not be confused with the National Party
that nominated candidates in the 1993 election
.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
that was founded in 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...
in 1979 to promote Canadian independence.
The party's leader, Robin Mathews
Robin Mathews
Robin Mathews is a Canadian poet, professor, and political activist against United States foreign policy.-Education:...
, was an active member and cultural critic for the Waffle
The Waffle
The Waffle was a radical wing of Canada's New Democratic Party in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It later transformed into an independent political party, with little electoral success before it permanently disbanded in the mid-1970s...
movement in the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
(NDP).
During the 1980 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1980
The Canadian federal election of 1980 was held on February 18, 1980 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 32nd Parliament of Canada...
, held on February 18, 1980, of that year, Mathews ran as the National Party candidate in Ottawa Centre
Ottawa Centre
Ottawa Centre is an urban federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968...
. He placed fifth in a field of 10 candidates, following the Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
, NDP and Rhinoceros Party candidates, but ahead of three independents (including John C. Turmel
John C. Turmel
John C. Turmel is a perennial candidate for election in Canada, and according to the Guinness Book of Records holds the records for the most elections contested and for the most elections lost having contested 75 elections and lost 74...
, a Communist
Communist Party of Canada
The Communist Party of Canada is a communist political party in Canada. Although is it currently a minor or small political party without representation in the Federal Parliament or in provincial legislatures, historically the Party has elected representatives in Federal Parliament, Ontario...
and a Marxist-Leninist
Communist Party of Canada (Marxist–Leninist)
The Communist Party of Canada is a Canadian federal Marxist–Leninist political party.The party is registered with Elections Canada as the Marxist–Leninist Party of Canada...
.) Mathews collected 171 votes, or 0.39% of the total.
Don Hayward was the party's candidate in the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
riding of Broadview—Greenwood. He received 53 votes (0.17%), finishing seventh against New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
candidate Bob Rae
Bob Rae
Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
. A thirty-three year old factory worker, he expressed concern about American dominance of Canadian industry.
The party dissolved during the later part of the 1980s.
It should not be confused with the National Party
National Party of Canada
The National Party of Canada was a short-lived Canadian political party that contested the 1993 federal election. The party should not be confused by an earlier and unrelated National Party that was founded in 1979.-Formation:...
that nominated candidates in the 1993 election
Canadian federal election, 1993
The Canadian federal election of 1993 was held on October 25 of that year to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 35th Parliament of Canada. Fourteen parties competed for the 295 seats in the House at that time...
.