The Liberal Party of Canada is a liberal political party in Canada, founded in 1867. Commonly known as the Grits, the Liberal Party was descended from the Upper Canada Reform movement, which advocated for responsible government throughout British North America. The "Clear Grits" in Upper Canada and the Parti canadien and Parti rouge in Lower Canada formed a unified bloc in 1867 under George Brown's leadership, and they became known as the party of continentalism and anti-imperialism, opposing the Conservative Party of Canada. During the 1890s, Wilfrid Laurier won the support of French Canada and overcame the party's initial anti-clericalism while supporting reciprocal tariffs, winning the support of farmers in the growing prairie provinces. The Liberals came to be seen as the natural governing party of Canada, dominating government for almost 70 years of the 20th century. From the 1920s to 1950s, the Liberals gradually built a welfare state through the implementation of universal healthcare, a pension plan, and student loans, while also enacting official bilingualism and multiculturalism, gun control, and the legalization of same-sex marriage, euthanasia, cannabis, and abortion.
During the early 20th century, the Liberals were supported by the urban middle and working classes, as well as some members of the business community. The Liberals found strong support in French-Canadian Quebec, as well as parts of the Maritimes, and they advocated for free trade, provincial autonomy, and reforms to benefit the common person.
Gallery[]
