Dominion Labor Party (Alberta)

The Dominion Labor Party provincial branch of the Canadian Labor Party in Alberta was a minor political party. The party was founded on March 29, 1919 as the Federated Labor Party. The party was renamed the Dominion Labor Party later that year.

Early history

The party was founded at a convention held in the Labor temple in Calgary on March 29, 1919. Holmes Jowett was named provisional president. The party was founded to contest elections in federal Alberta constituencies and on the provincial level.^[1] The party consolidated the former Alberta Labor Representation League and was joined by Centre Calgary Member of the Legislative Assembly Alex Ross.^[1] The first executive of the party included former MLA Donald McNabb as First Vice President.^[1]

1921 Alberta general election

An Advertisement showing an endorsement for Lethbridge candidate John Marsh

The party first contested the 1921 Alberta general election. Holmes Jowett served as party leader. The party ran 10 candidates in the election. The party also had some turmoil as it competed with votes from the similar Independent Labor party that also fielded candidates in that election.

Jowett decided not to contest a seat in the Legislature, instead deciding to help other Labor candidates.

The party also worked in close cooperation with the United Farmers of Alberta, the two parties largely avoided running candidates against each other.

On election night 1921 voters elected four Dominion Labor Party members to the Legislative Assembly. Alex Ross was invited to join the United Farmers government as Minister of Public Works.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Federated Labor Party is Here; D. McNabb Head". Vol XII No. 93 (The Lethbridge Daily Herald): p. 10. March 31, 1919. 

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