Patrons of Industry
Encyclopedia
The Grand Association of the Patrons of Industry in Ontario was a Canadian
farmers' organization formed in 1890 that cooperated with the urban labour movement to address the political frustrations of both groups with big business.
Based on the Patrons of Industry of Michigan that had formed in 1889, it declared itself independent of the American group in 1891. It was dedicated to upholding and encouraging the moral, social, intellectual, political and financial situation of rural Ontarians and to preserve the way of life that existed in farming communities in the late nineteenth century against encroaching industrialization. The Patrons' membership exceeded 30,000 at its peak.
It nominated candidates in the 1894 Ontario provincial election
. Sixteen members of the Legislative Assembly
were elected with Patrons of Industry support -- 12 Liberals
, one Conservative
, and three who ran only under the "Patrons of Industry" banner.
The Patrons of Industry also nominated 31 candidates in the 1896 federal election
, but only two, David Dickson Rogers
and William Varney Pettet
, were elected to the Canadian House of Commons
.
The party was soon divided on the question of cooperation with the Ontario Liberal Party
. The party achieved few gains for farmers, and the group was virtually extinct by 1900.
It has been argued by some that the Patrons represented a constant left-wing element in the Canadian Electorate, represented today by the New Democratic Party
.
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...
farmers' organization formed in 1890 that cooperated with the urban labour movement to address the political frustrations of both groups with big business.
Based on the Patrons of Industry of Michigan that had formed in 1889, it declared itself independent of the American group in 1891. It was dedicated to upholding and encouraging the moral, social, intellectual, political and financial situation of rural Ontarians and to preserve the way of life that existed in farming communities in the late nineteenth century against encroaching industrialization. The Patrons' membership exceeded 30,000 at its peak.
It nominated candidates in the 1894 Ontario provincial election
Ontario general election, 1894
The Ontario general election, 1894 was the eighth general election held in the Province of Ontario, Canada. It was held on June 26, 1894, to elect the 94 Members of the 8th Legislative Assembly of Ontario ....
. Sixteen members of the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
were elected with Patrons of Industry support -- 12 Liberals
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
, one Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
, and three who ran only under the "Patrons of Industry" banner.
The Patrons of Industry also nominated 31 candidates in the 1896 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1896
The Canadian federal election of 1896 was held on June 23, 1896 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 8th Parliament of Canada. Though the Conservative Party won a plurality of the popular vote, the Liberal Party, led by Wilfrid Laurier, won the majority of seats to form the...
, but only two, David Dickson Rogers
David Dickson Rogers
David Dickson Rogers was a Canadian politician in the province of Ontario.Born in County Monaghan, Ireland, his parents emigrated to Canada when he was an infant and settled in Prince Edward County, Upper Canada. Rogers was educated at the Kingston Collegiate Institute. A farmer, he settled in...
and William Varney Pettet
William Varney Pettet
William Varney Pettet was a farmer and political figure in Ontario, Canada. He represented Prince Edward in the Canadian House of Commons from 1896 to 1900 as a Patrons of Industry member....
, were elected to the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
.
The party was soon divided on the question of cooperation with the Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
. The party achieved few gains for farmers, and the group was virtually extinct by 1900.
It has been argued by some that the Patrons represented a constant left-wing element in the Canadian Electorate, represented today by 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...
.
See also
- United FarmersUnited Farmers of CanadaThe United Farmers of Canada was a radical farmers organization. It was established in 1926 as the United Farmers of Canada as a merger of the Farmers' Union of Canada and the Saskatchewan Grain Growers Association...
- List of political parties in Canada
- Patrons of Industry in ManitobaPatrons of Industry in ManitobaThe Patrons of Industry was initially a fraternal organization based in the United States and Canada. During the 1890s, the Canadian Patrons became politically active, running provincial and federal candidates in Ontario and Manitoba...