- Electoral firsts in Canada
This article list notable achievements of women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and gay/lesbian/bisexual and transgendered people in Canadian politics and
elections in Canada .This list includes:
* Members of Parliament -- Members of theCanadian House of Commons ;
* Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs);
* Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs in Ontario);
* Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in Quebec; and
* Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs) in Newfoundland and Labrador.Women
Year that women won the right to vote in federal elections: 1918
First woman elected to a legislature in Canada:
Louise McKinney , first woman elected anywhere in the British Empire, 1917-1921 Alberta Legislature for the Non Partisan League, a left wing prohibition, and social welfare party.First woman candidates in a Federal ElectionFive women ran in the first federal election that women were allowed to become candidates (1921)
* Harriet S. Dick - Winnipeg Centre, Independent ; 2,314 (4th Place, 4/5)
* Rose Mary Louise Henderson - St. Lawrence—St. George, Labour Party ; 510 (Last Place, 3/3)
* Elizabeth Bethune Kiely ; Toronto East, Liberal ; 52 votes (Last Place, 5/5)
*Agnes Macphail - Grey Southeast, Progressive Party ; 6,958 (1st ; 1/3)
* Harriet Dunlop Prenter - Toronto West, Labour Party ; 1,741 (Last Place, 3/3)First women elected to the Canadian House of Commons
#Agnes Macphail , Progressive,United Farmers of Ontario -Labour,Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) MPGrey South andGrey—Bruce , from 1921-1940 (She was also one of two women who were the first women as MPPs in theLegislative Assembly of Ontario for the Ontario CCF (the forerunner to theNew Democratic Party ) for the riding ofYork East 1943-1945 and 1948-1951
#Martha Louise Black , Independent Conservative, MP Yukon, 1935-1940
#Dorise Nielsen , Unity (Communist) and Labour Progressive (Communist) MPNorth Battleford , Sask. 1940-1945
#Cora Taylor Casselman , teacher, Liberal MP,Edmonton East , 1941-1945
#Gladys Strum , teacher, CCF MPQu'Appelle (electoral district) , Sask., 1945-1949First female Prime Minister
*Kim Campbell , Progressive Conservative Prime Minister 1993First women in Cabinet
* Provincial:Mary Ellen Smith , British Columbia
* Federal:Ellen Fairclough , 1957, Progressive ConservativeFirst female Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons:
Jeanne Sauvé , 1980-1984First female federal Justice Minister (Attorney General):
Kim Campbell (Progressive Conservative)First female Defence Minister:
Kim Campbell , (Progressive Conservative)First female Speaker of the House
*Nancy Hodges Alberta Liberal, MLA 1941-1953, made speaker of BC legislature in Dec 1949.First female senator:
Cairine Wilson , 1930First female Governor General of Canada:
Jeanne Sauvé , (1984-1990)First female Premiers
#Rita Johnston , BC, 1991 (Social Credit)
#Nellie Cournoyea ,Northwest Territories , 1991-1995, (non-partisanconsensus government )
#Catherine Callbeck , PEI, 1993-1996, (first elected female Premier) (Liberal)
#Pat Duncan , Yukon, 2000-2002, (Liberal)First female MLAs elected in British Columbia:
Mary Ellen Smith , Liberal MLA 1918-1928, elected to replace her late husbandFirst female MLA elected in Alberta:
Louise McKinney , she was also the first woman elected anywhere in the British Empire, 1917-1921 Alberta Legislature for the Non Partisan League, a left-wing prohibition and social welfare party.First female MLA elected in Saskatchewan:
Sarah Ramsland , Saskatchewan Liberal - Pelly 1919 by-election - 1925. Replaced her husband Max who won the seat in 1917 general election after his death. Was re-elected in 1921 and defeated in 1925. First female MLA elected in Manitoba:Edith McTavish Rogers , Manitoba Liberal MLA 1920-1932First female MPPs elected in Ontario:
*Agnes Macphail andRae Luckock , CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party MPPs forYork East 1943-1945, 1948-1951 and for Bracondale 1943-1945 respectivelyFirst female MNA elected in Quebec:
Marie-Claire Kirkland , elected in 1961. Also first woman appointed a cabinet minister in Quebec, the first woman appointed acting premier, and the first woman judge to serve in the Quebec Provincial Court.First female MLA elected in New Brunswick:
Brenda Robertson , New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA, 1967-1984First female candidate in P.E.I.:
Hilda Ramsay , P.E.I. CCF candidate in 1951 [http://www.ndppei.ca/]First female MLA elected in P.E.I.:
Jean Canfield , PEI Liberal MLA 1970-1979First female MHA elected in Newfoundland & Labrador (Pre-Confederation):
Helena Squires , MHA 1930-1932First female MLA elected in Nova Scotia:
Gladys Porter , Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MLA 1960-1967First female MLA elected in Yukon:
G. Jean Gordon , Non-Affiliated, MLA 1967-1970First female MLA elected in Northwest Territories
Lena Pedersen (Pederson) in 1970 to 1975First female MLA elected in Nunavut:
Manitok Thompson , Independent, 1999-2003First female elected in a municipal election: Mary Teresa Sullivan, Halifax City Council, 1936+
First female mayor:
Barbara Hanley ,Webbwood, Ontario (1936-1944)First female mayor of a city:
Charlotte Whitton , Ottawa (1951-1956, 1960-1964)Female presidents of major political parties
#Agnes Macphail - Founding President of the Ontario CCF 1932-34
#Gladys Strum - President of Saskatchewan CCF 1944-195?Aboriginal Canadians
First Aboriginal Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada:
Frank Arthur Calder , BC New Democratic Party, 1949-1975 (first treaty native elected anywhere in Canada)First Aboriginal Canadian elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Aboriginal Canadian MP):
Leonard Marchand , Kamloops-Cariboo, Liberal Party, 1968-1974First Aboriginal Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada:
Ethel Blondin-Andrew , Liberal Party of Canada Western Arctic, 1988-2006First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in British Columbia:
Frank Arthur Calder , BC New Democratic Party, 1949-1975* (first treaty native elected anywhere in Canada)First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Alberta:
Mike Cardinal , Alberta Progressive Conservatives MLA Athabasca-Redwater 1989-presentFirst Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Saskatchewan:
Lawrence Riel Yew Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA Cumberland, 1982-1986 and second wasKeith Goulet MLA, Cumberland, 1986-2003First Aboriginal Woman MLA elected in Saskatchewan:
Joan Beatty , Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA for Cumberland, 2003 to presentFirst Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Manitoba:
Elijah Harper , Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Rupertsland, 1981-1992First Aboriginal Canadian MPP elected in Ontario:
Peter John North Ontario New Democratic Party) MPP 1990-1993, Independent MPP 1993-1999First Aboriginal Canadian MNA elected in Quebec: Ludger Bastien Quebec Conservative Party MLA for
Chauveau 1924-1927First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in New Brunswick:
T. J. Burke , NB Liberal MLA for Fredericton-Nashwaaksis 2006-presentFirst Aboriginal Canadian MHA elected in Newfoundland & Labrador:
Wally Andersen Newfoundland & Labrador Liberal MHA Torngat Mountains, 1996-presentFirst Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Yukon
First Metis Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada:
Louis Riel , Independent, MP Provencher, Manitoba 1873+First Inuk Canadian elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Inuk Canadian MP):
Peter Ittinuar , New Democratic Party, a pilot from the North West Territories, MP Nunatsiaq, NWT 1979- ("Inuk" (plural:Inuit ) are the people formerly known as "Eskimos")First Inuk elected in southern Canada:
George Hickes (politician) Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Point Douglas, 1990 - presentFirst Inuk speaker of a legislature:
George Hickes (politician) Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Speaker 1999 - presentAfrican-Canadian sEarly African-Canadians elected in Canada
#Burr Plato , councillor for Niagara Falls, 1886-1901
# William Hubbard, Alderman for Toronto 1893-1932(Note: the first African-Canadian elected in Canada is unknown, and it was probably before Canada was a country.)First African-Canadian candidate to run for the House of Commons: Bill White - Spadina, CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party) 1949
First African-Canadian elected in Canada:
Leonard Braithwaite ,Etobicoke—York , Ontario Liberals MPP, 1963-1975First African-Canadian leader of a political party (federally or provincially):
*Stuart Parker - Leader of the B.C. Green Party 1993-2000 (and nephew ofHarry Jerome )First African-Canadian candidate to run for the Ontario Legislature
#Stanley G. Grizzle ran for the Ontario CCF (the forerunner to the Ontario New Democratic Party) in 1959 provincial election inYork East (East York).
#Jack White ran for the Ontario NDP in 1963 provincial election in Davenport andLeonard Braithwaite , Ontario Liberals inEtobicoke—York in 1963.First African-Canadian woman elected in Canada: Rosemary Brown
Vancouver—Burrard ,Burnaby—Edmonds , BC New Democratic Party MP 1972-1986First African-Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Black MP): Rt. Hon
Lincoln Alexander -Hamilton West , Progressive Conservative MP 1968-1984First African-Canadian Canadian women elected to the House of Commons (first Black female MPs)
*Jean Augustine ,Etobicoke Lakeshore , Liberal MP, 1993 - 2006,
*Hedy Fry ,Vancouver Centre , Liberal MP, 1993 - presentFirst African-Canadian MLAs in British Columbia:
Emery Barnes , BC New Democratic Party MLA Vancouver Burrard 1972-1996 and Rosemary Brown, Vancouver Burrard, BC New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1986First African-Canadian female MLA in British Columbia: Rosemary Brown, Vancouver Burrard, BC New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1986
First African-Canadian MLA in Alberta:
George Rogers , Alberta Progressive Conservative MLA Leduc-Beaumont-Devon 2004-presentFirst African-Canadian MPP in Ontario:
Leonard Braithwaite , Etobicoke-York, Ontario Liberal MPP 1963-1975First African-Canadian female MPP in Ontario:
Zanana Akande , St-Andrew's-St. Patrick's, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994First African-Canadian MNA in Quebec:
Jean Alfred , Papineau, Parti Québécois MNA 1976-1981First African-Canadian Female MNA in Quebec:
Yolande James , Nelligan, Liberal MNA 2003-presentFirst African-Canadian MLA in Nova Scotia:
Wayne Adams , Nova Scotia Liberal MLA for Preston 1993-1998First African-Canadian female MLA in Nova Scotia:
Yvonne Atwell , Nova Scotia New Democratic Party MLA for Preston 1998-1999African-Canadian Speakers of Legislatures in Canada
#Emery Barnes , BC New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1996, Speaker in BC Legislature 1993 to 1996 when he retired.
#Alvin Curling , Ontario Liberal MPP 1985-2005, Speaker 2003-2005First African-Canadian woman in Cabinet:
Zanana Akande , St-Andrew's-St. Patrick's, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994First African-Canadian Governor General of Canada:
Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada, 2005-presentFirst African-Canadian Lieutenant Governor: Rt. Hon
Lincoln Alexander Lt. Governor of Ontario, 1985-1991First African-Canadian Senator:
Anne Cools , Liberal Senator 1983-2004, Conservative, 2004+First African-Canadian female mayor:
Daurene Lewis - 1984Arab Canadians
First Arab Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Arab Canadian MP):
Pierre De Bane , 1968-1984, Liberal MP Matane, Quebec (Palestinian)First Arab Canadian in Cabinet
*Pierre De Bane , 1968-1984, Liberal MP Matane, Que. (Palestinian)First Arab Canadian leaders of political parties
#Fonse Faour Newfoundland New Democratic Party leader, 1980-1981
#Hassan Husseini Communist Party of Ontario, 1998-2001
#Lorraine Michael Newfoundland New Democratic Party leader 2006-presentFirst Arab Canadian Senator:
Mac Harb , Liberal Senator 2004 - presentArmenian Canadians
First Armenian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Armenian Canadian MP)
*Sarkis Assadourian Liberal MP (Syrian Armenian),Don Valley North , 1993-1997 &Brampton Centre , 1997-2004Chinese Canadians
First Chinese Canadian candidate in Canada: Catherine Emily Ling, 1941 BC provincial election for the
Emancipation Party in Vancouver Point GreyFirst Chinese Canadian elected in Canada:
Douglas Jung ,Vancouver Centre , Progressive Conservative MP, 1957-1962First person of Chinese descent in Canada to be elected in a municipal election:
George Ho Lem First Chinese Canadian women elected in Canada:
Jenny Kwan , BC New Democratic Party MLA, andIda Chong , BC Liberal MLA, both elected in 1996 BC provincial electionFirst Chinese-Canadian female MP:
Sophia Leung ,Vancouver Kingsway Liberal MP 1997-2004First Chinese Canadian leader of a political party (federally or provincially)
#Arthur Lee , BC Liberal leader, 1984-1987 (*The BC Liberals had no seats)
#Victor Lau , Saskatchewan Green Party Leader 2006 (interim?)First Chinese-Canadian in Cabinet:
Bob Wong , 1987 Ontario Liberal, became Minister of EnergyFirst Chinese Canadian Senator:
Vivienne Poy First Chinese Canadian Governor General of Canada:
Adrienne Clarkson Governor General of Canada, 1999-2005First Chinese Canadian Lieutenant Governors
#David Lam , British Columbia Lieutenant Governor 1988-1995
#Norman Kwong , current Lieutenant Governor of AlbertaFirst Chinese Canadian mayor in Canada:
*Peter Wing , Mayor of Kamloops, first elected 1966, served for three termsCroatian Canadians
First Croatian Canadian elected to a Legislature:
Dave Stupich , British Columbia MLA, Nanaimo and the Islands, 1963-1969, Nanaimo 1972-1988First Croatian-born Canadian elected to a Legislature:
John Sola , Ontario Liberal MPP, Missisauga East, 1987-1993 (expelled)First Croatian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Croatian Canadian MP):
Dave Stupich , New Democratic Party MP,Nanaimo—Cowichan , 1988-1993First Croatian-born Canadian elected to the House of Commons:
Janko Peric , Liberal MP, Cambridge, 1993-2004Czech Canadians
First Czech Canadian MP
*Otto Jelinek PC MP 1972-1979 High Park-Humber Valley, 1979-1993 HaltonFilipino Canadians
First Filipino elected in Canada:
Conrad Santos , Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-presentFirst Filipino Canadian Woman elected in Canada:
Flor Marcelino , Manitoba NDP MLA Wellington 2007-presentFirst Filipino Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Filipino Canadian MP): Dr.
Rey Pagtakhan ,Winnipeg North , Liberal MP, 1988-2004First Filipino Canadian elected in Manitoba:
Conrad Santos , Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-presentFirst Filipino Canadian Woman elected in Manitoba:
Flor Marcelino , Manitoba NDP MLA Wellington 2007-presentFirst Filipino Canadian appointed to the Federal Cabinet: Dr.
Rey Pagtakhan ,Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)(2001-2002) ,Minister of Veterans Affairs (2002-2003),Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) (2002-2003), Minister with political responsibility for Manitoba (2002-2003),Minister of Western Economic Diversification (2003-2004)First Filipino Canadian to run for the leadership of a major party:
Conrad Santos , Manitoba New Democratic Party leadership 1988Greek Canadians
First Greek elected in Canada:
George Samis , Ontario New Democratic Party MP 1974 by-election - 1985, CornwallFirst Greek Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Greek Canadian MP):
Gus Mitges , Progressive Conservative MP,Grey—Simcoe 1972-1993First Greek Canadian Senator
*Philippe Deane Gigantès , Liberal Senator appointed in 1984 [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Sen]Hungarian Canadians
First Hungarian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Hungarian Canadian MP):
Tom Wappel , Liberal MP,Scarborough West 1988-2000;Scarborough Southwest 2000-presentFirst Hungarian-born Canadian elected to the House of Commons:
Andrew Telegdi , Liberal MP Waterloo, 1993-presentIranian Canadians
First Iranian Canadian elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (1st Iranian Canadian Provincial MPP)
*Reza Moridi , Liberal MPP, Richmond Hill, 2007-presentItalian Canadians
First Italian Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Italian Canadian MP)
*Hubert Badanai Liberal MP Fort WIlliam 1958-1968 [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]First Italian Canadian Cabinet Minister (Federal)
*Monique Bégin , 1976.09.14 Appointed Minister of National Revenue [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Min]First Italian Canadian Senator
*Pietro Rizzuto , Liberal Senator appointed in 1976 [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Sen]First Italian Canadian to Run for the Leadership of a Major Party (Federally or Provincially) -
#John Nunziata - Federal Liberal Leadership race 1990
#Tony Silipo - Ontario NDP leadership race 1996
#Joseph Cordiano - Ontario Liberal leadership race 1996
#Maurizio Bevilacqua -Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006
#Joe Volpe -Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006 *Note - a list of Italian Canadian politicians are too numerous to list
Japanese Canadians
First Japanese Canadian candidate in Canada: Joan Kabayama,
Grenville—Carleton New Democratic Party 1972 federal electionFirst Japanese Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Japanese Canadian MP):
Bev Oda , Conservative MP,Clarington—Scugog—Uxbridge , 2004-presentJewish Canadians
Extended full political rights: 1831, in Lower Canada (Quebec)
First Jewish Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada: Ezekiel Hart, elected in Lower Canada in the by-election of April 11, 1807
First Jewish Canadian cabinet minister (provincial or federal):
David Croll , Ontario Liberal, Ontario Cabinet of PremierMitchell Hepburn , 1934-1937First Jewish Canadian federal cabinet minister:
Herb Gray , Liberal, first appointed in 1969 as Minister without portfolio by Pierre Trudeau (Liberal)First Jewish Canadians elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Jewish Canadian MP)
#Henry Nathan , Liberal MP Victoria 1872-1874
#Abraham Albert Heaps , CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party) MP,Winnipeg North 1935-1940
#Fred Rose , Labour Progressive (Communist) MP Cartier, Quebec 1943-1947First Jewish leader of a federal party: David Lewis, New Democratic Party 1971-1975
First Jewish Premier:
Dave Barrett , BC New Democratic Party Premier 1972-1975First Jewish Senator:
David Croll , Liberal, appointed 1955.First Jewish Leaders of provincial parties
#Dave Barrett , BC New Democratic Party, 1969-May 20, 1984
#Stephen Lewis , Ontario New Democratic Party, 1970-1978
#Izzy Asper , Manitoba Liberal, 1970-75
#Sidney Spivak , Manitoba Progressive Conservatives, 1971 to 1975
#Stuart Smith , Ontario Liberal 1976-1982
#Larry Grossman , Ontario Progressive Conservatives, November 22, 1985 - September 10, 1987First Jewish Supreme Court Judge:
Bora Laskin , 1970, subsequently Chief JusticeKorean Canadians
First Korean Canadian candidates in Canada
# Dr.David Kho , Ontario New Democratic Party, 1987 provincial electionScarborough—Agincourt
#Raymond Cho , New Democratic Party, 1988 federal election,Scarborough—Rogue River First Korean-Canadian elected to a legislature:
Sandy Lee , North West TerritoriesLatvian Canadians
First Latvian Canadian MP:
Sarmite Bulte , Liberal MPParkdale—High Park , 1997-2006Macedonian Canadians
First Macedonian Canadian MP
*Lui Temelkovski - Liberal MP Oak Ridges-Markham 2006-present [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]Maltese Canadians
First Maltese Canadian MP
*Sue Barnes - Liberal MP London West 1993-present [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]Polish Canadians
First Polish Canadians elected to the House of Commons (first Polish Canadian MPs)
#Alexandre Edouard Kierzkowski , St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Liberal MP, 1867-1872
#Fred Rose , Labour Progressive (Communist) MP 1943-1947, from Cartier, QuebecPortuguese Canadians
First Portuguese Canadian elected to the House of Commons
#John Rodriguez ,Nickel Belt , New Democratic Party MP, 1974-1980, 1984-1993 (Guyanese Portuguese) [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]lovak Canadians
First Slovak Canadian to run for the leadership of a major party:
Peter Kormos , Ontario New Democratic Party leadership 1996outh Asians
*Note: South Asians include those of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese or Bangladeshi ancestry.
First South Asian Canadian candidate in Canada:
Hardial Bains , Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada - Eglinton - 1972 federal electionFirst South Asian elected in Canada:
Moe Sihota , BC New Democratic Party MLA, Esquimalt-Port Renfrew 1986-1991, Esquimalt-Metchosin, 1991-2001First South Asian Provincial Premier:
Ujjal Dosanjh , BC New Democratic PartyFebruary 24 ,2000 toJune 5 ,2001 (Punjabi)First South Asian leaders of a major political party:
Raj Pannu , Alberta New Democratic PartyFebruary 2 ,2000 -2004 (MLA 1997 - present) (Punjabi) Note:Hardial Bains was the first South Asian Canadian to lead a political party. He founded and led theMarxist-Leninist Party of Canada from 1970-1997First South Asian female MPs:
Yasmin Ratansi ,Don Valley East , Liberal MP 2004+ (Ismaili, Muslim),Nina Grewal ,Fleetwood—Port Kells , Conservative MP 2004+ (India, Sikh) andRuby Dhalla ,Brampton—Springdale—Malton , Liberal MP 2004+ (India, Sikh)(Yasmin Ratansi is the first Muslim woman elected in Canada, and Nina Grewal and Ruby Dhalla are the first Punjabi women elected in Canada)First South Asian MLA elected in BC:
Moe Sihota , BC New Democratic Party MLA, Esquimalt-Port Renfrew 1986-1991, Esquimalt-Metchosin, 1991-2001First South Asian MLA elected in Alberta
First South Asian MLA elected in Manitoba:
Gulzar Cheema , Manitoba Liberal MLA Kildonan 1988-1990First South Asian MPP elected in Ontario:
Murad Velshi , Ontario Liberal MPP Don Mills 1987-1990First South Asian MLA elected in Nova Scotia:
Leonard Preyra Nova Scotia NDP MLA Halifax Citadel 2006-presentFirst South Asian School Board Trustee elected in Canada:
Neethan Shan York Region District School Board 2006-presentSouth Asian Canadian Senators
*Mobina Jaffer , Liberal Senator, 2001-presentSouth Asian presidents, vice presidents and secretaries of political parties
*Sav Dhaliwal - former Vice President of the BC NDP
*Raj Sharan - Former president of the Newfoundland & Labrador Newfoundland & Labrador New Democratic PartyTamil Canadians
First Tamil-Canadian candidate to run for the House of Commons:
*Joseph Thevarkunnel , NDP candidate in 2000 federal election for Oak RidgesFirst Tamil-Canadian candidate to run in Ontario
*Chandran Mylvaganam , NDP Candidate in 1993 by-election in Don MillsFirst Tamil-Canadian elected in Canada
*Logan Kanapathi , elected Councillor for Ward 7 in Markham, Ontario in 2006
*Neethan Shan , elected York School Board Trustee for Markham Wards 7 & 8Ukrainian Canadians
First Ukrainian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Ukrainian Canadian MP):
Michael Luchkovich United Farmers/CCF MP from Vegreville, Alberta, 1926-1935First Ukrainian Canadian leader of a major political party:
Roy Romanow , Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leader 1987-2001First Ukrainian Premier:
Roy Romanow , Premier of Saskatchewan 1990-2001First Ukrainian Canadian Governor General of Canada:
Ray Hnatyshyn Vietnamese Canadians
First Vietnamese Canadian MP :
Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac , Bloc MP,Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot 2007-presentPeople with disabilities
First hearing-impaired (deaf) person elected in Canada:
Gary Malkowski Ontario New Democratic Party MPPYork East (East York) 1990-1995First quadriplegic person elected in Canada:
Percy Wickman Alberta Liberal MLA Edmonton-WhitemudFirst quadriplegic person elected to the House of Commons:
Steven Fletcher , Conservative,Charleswood—St. James , Manitoba, 2004 - presentFirst quadriplegic mayor :
Sam Sullivan , Mayor of Vancouver, November 2005 - presentGay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender
First openly-gay candidates in Canada
#Robert Douglas Cook , 1979 BC provincial election for GATE (Gay Alliance Toward Equality) Party in West Vancouver-Howe Sound
#George Hislop , 1981 Ontario provincial election, Independent candidate in St. George. (Also ran in 1981 Toronto municipal election)First openly-gay MP:
Svend Robinson , New Democratic Party, elected in 1979, came out in 1988First MP elected as an openly-gay candidate to a first term:
Bill Siksay New Democratic Party MP forBurnaby—Douglas elected in 2004First gays/lesbians to run for leadership of a major party
#Svend Robinson , 1995 New Democratic Party leadership election -- came in first on first ballot, but withdrew
#Marcel Hatch ,New Democratic Party 2001 leadership challenger
#Scott Brison ,Progressive Conservative leadership election, 2003 -- came in third
#Scott Brison ,Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, 2006 First openly-gay leaders of political parties
#Chris Lea ,Green Party of Canada , 1990 - 1996
#Allison Brewer , New Brunswick New Democratic Party, Sept 25, 2005 - 2006
#André Boisclair , Parti Québécois, Nov 15, 2005 - 2007First openly gay/lesbian senators
#Laurier Lapierre , Liberal
#Nancy Ruth (formerly Nancy Jackman) PC, first lesbian senator, appointed in 2006, came out in 1990(?)First openly-gay mayor :
Glen Murray - former Mayor of Winnipegee also
*
Female candidates in Canadian elections Hispanic CanadiansNovember,10th/2002-Cesar Palacio(Davenport)Toronto,Ontario becomes the first Hispanic elected to Toronto city councill
External links
* [http://stillcounting.athabascau.ca/table2-3.php Still Counting : Women in Canadian Politics : List of Women of Diversity in Canadian Politics]
* [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/women/002026-800-e.html#b Biographies of Canadian Women Politicians]
* [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/2/12/ Celebrating Women's Achievements", First of Women in Politics]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/House/Asp/WomenElect.asp?lang=E&Hist=Y Parliament of Canada, % of Women Candidates by Party]
* [http://www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/whm/pioneers/n_hodges.htm Women in BC Politics]
* [http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/LegLibrary/library/libwomen.htm Legislature of Saskatchewan, Women in Politics in Saskatchewan]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/House/mpsbo.asp?lang=E&Hist=N Parliament of Canada, List of current Members of Parliament born outside Canada]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc Parliament of Canada, List of past and present Members of Parliament born outside Canada]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=ef&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc Parliament of Canada, List of ethnic origins of MPs]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Aboriginal.asp?Language=E&Hist=N&leg=H Parliament of Canada, List of current Members of the House of Commons of Inuit, Métis or First Nation Origin]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=af&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc Parliament of Canada, List of past & present Members of the House of Commons of Inuit, Métis or First Nation Origin]
* [http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume7/countries Gov. of Canada, Collections Canada ; Contributions of Various Immigrant Communities to Canada]
* [http://www.qesn.meq.gouv.qc.ca/mpages/unit8/u8p167.htm Black Canadian History]
* [http://collections.ic.gc.ca/obho/people/ Gov. of Canada Collections Canada website ; Biographies of Famous Black Canadians, including many Black Canadian Politicians]
* [http://www.yorku.ca/aconline/culture/politicians.html York University; Black Politicians in Canada]
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