Electoral firsts in Canada 3184503 224603493 2008-07-09T16:46:23Z Thivierr 164876 spelling This article list notable achievements of women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and gay/lesbian/bisexual and transgendered people in [[Politics of Canada|Canadian politics]] and [[elections in Canada]]. This list includes: * [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]] -- Members of the [[Canadian House of Commons]]; * [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|Members of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLAs); * [[Member of Provincial Parliament|Members of Provincial Parliament]] (MPPs in Ontario); * [[Member of the National Assembly|Members of the National Assembly]] (MNAs) in Quebec; and * [[Member of the House of Assembly|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 [[Alberta Non-Partisan League|Non Partisan League]], a left wing prohibition, and social welfare party. [[Image:Agnes Macphail - PA-165870.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Agnes Macphail]], Canada's first Woman MP]] '''First woman candidates in a Federal Election''' Five 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) MP [[Grey South]] and [[Grey—Bruce]], from 1921-1940 (She was also one of two women who were the first women as MPPs in the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] for the [[Ontario New Democratic Party|Ontario CCF]] (the forerunner to the [[New Democratic Party]]) for the riding of [[York East]] 1943-1945 and 1948-1951 # [[Martha Louise Black]], Independent Conservative, MP Yukon, 1935-1940 # [[Dorise Nielsen]], [[Unity (Canada)|Unity]] (Communist) and [[Labour Progressive Party|Labour Progressive]] (Communist) MP [[North Battleford]], Sask. 1940-1945 #[[Cora Taylor Casselman]], teacher, [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] MP, [[Edmonton East]], 1941-1945 #[[Gladys Strum]], teacher, CCF MP [[Qu'Appelle (electoral district)]], Sask., 1945-1949 '''First female Prime Minister''' * [[Kim Campbell]], Progressive Conservative Prime Minister 1993 [[Image:Kim Campbell.jpg|thumbnail|right|Kim Campbell, Canada's first female Prime Minister]] '''First women in Cabinet''' * Provincial: [[Mary Ellen Smith]], British Columbia * Federal: [[Ellen Fairclough]], 1957, Progressive Conservative '''First female Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons:''' [[Jeanne Sauvé]], 1980-1984 '''First 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]], 1930 '''First 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-partisan [[consensus government]]) # [[Catherine Callbeck]], PEI, 1993-1996, (first elected female [[Premier (Canada)|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 husband '''First 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 1920-1932 '''First female MPPs elected in Ontario:''' * [[Agnes Macphail]] and [[Rae Luckock]], CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party MPPs for [[York East]] 1943-1945, 1948-1951 and for Bracondale 1943-1945 respectively '''First 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, 1967-1984 '''First 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 1970-1979 '''First female MHA elected in Newfoundland & Labrador (Pre-Confederation):''' [[Helena Squires]], MHA 1930-1932 '''First female MLA elected in Nova Scotia:''' [[Gladys Porter]], Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MLA 1960-1967 '''First female MLA elected in Yukon:''' [[G. Jean Gordon]], Non-Affiliated, MLA 1967-1970 '''First female MLA elected in Northwest Territories''' [[Lena Pedersen]] (Pederson) in [[Northwest Territories general election, 1970|1970]] to 1975 '''First female MLA elected in Nunavut:''' [[Manitok Thompson]], Independent, 1999-2003 '''First 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 New Democratic Party|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, 1968-1974 '''First Aboriginal Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada:''' [[Ethel Blondin-Andrew]], Liberal Party of Canada Western Arctic, 1988-2006 '''First 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-present '''First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Saskatchewan:''' [[Lawrence Riel Yew]] Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA Cumberland, 1982-1986 and second was [[Keith Goulet]] MLA, Cumberland, 1986-2003 '''First Aboriginal Woman MLA elected in Saskatchewan:''' [[Joan Beatty]], Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA for Cumberland, 2003 to present '''First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Manitoba:''' [[Elijah Harper]], Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Rupertsland, 1981-1992 '''First Aboriginal Canadian MPP elected in Ontario:''' [[Peter John North]] Ontario New Democratic Party) MPP 1990-1993, Independent MPP 1993-1999 '''First Aboriginal Canadian MNA elected in Quebec:''' Ludger Bastien Quebec Conservative Party MLA for [[Chauveau]] 1924-1927 '''First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in New Brunswick:''' [[T. J. Burke]], NB Liberal MLA for Fredericton-Nashwaaksis 2006-present '''First Aboriginal Canadian MHA elected in Newfoundland & Labrador:''' [[Wally Andersen]] Newfoundland & Labrador Liberal MHA Torngat Mountains, 1996-present '''First 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 - present '''First Inuk speaker of a legislature:''' [[George Hickes (politician)]] Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Speaker 1999 - present == [[African-Canadian]]s == [[Image:lincolnmalexander.jpg|thumbnail|right|Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander, first African-Canadian MP in Canada and the first African-Canadian Lt. Governor of Ontario]] '''Early African-Canadians elected in Canada''' # [[Burr Plato]], councillor for Niagara Falls, 1886-1901 # [[William Hubbard (politician)|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 (Canadian politician)|Bill White]] - [[Spadina (electoral district)|Spadina]], CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party) 1949 '''First African-Canadian elected in Canada:''' [[Leonard Braithwaite]], [[Etobicoke—York]], Ontario Liberals MPP, 1963-1975 '''First African-Canadian leader of a political party (federally or provincially):''' *[[Stuart Parker]] - Leader of the B.C. Green Party 1993-2000 (and nephew of [[Harry 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 in [[York East]] (East York). # [[Jack White]] ran for the Ontario NDP in 1963 provincial election in [[Davenport (electoral district)|Davenport]] and [[Leonard Braithwaite]], Ontario Liberals in [[Etobicoke—York]] in 1963. '''First African-Canadian candidate to run for the Saskatchewan Legislature''' *[[Judy Kowsar]] will be the NDP candidate in the riding of Regina Rosemont in the 2007 provincial election '''First African-Canadian woman elected in Canada:''' [[Rosemary Brown (politician)|Rosemary Brown]] [[Vancouver—Burrard]], [[Burnaby—Edmonds]], BC New Democratic Party MP 1972-1986 '''First African-Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Black MP):''' Rt. Hon [[Lincoln Alexander]] - [[Hamilton West]], Progressive Conservative MP 1968-1984 <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Emery barnes.jpg|thumbnail|right|Emery Barnes, first Black Speaker in a Canadian Legislature]] --> '''First 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 - present '''First African-Canadian MLAs in British Columbia:''' [[Emery Barnes]], BC New Democratic Party MLA Vancouver Burrard 1972-1996 and [[Rosemary Brown (politician)|Rosemary Brown]], Vancouver Burrard, BC New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1986 '''First African-Canadian female MLA in British Columbia:''' [[Rosemary Brown (politician)|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-present '''First African-Canadian MPP in Ontario:''' [[Leonard Braithwaite]], Etobicoke-York, Ontario Liberal MPP 1963-1975 '''First African-Canadian female MPP in Ontario:''' [[Zanana Akande]], St-Andrew's-St. Patrick's, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994 [[Image:Michaelle Jean Oct 2005.jpg|thumbnail|right|Michaëlle Jean, Canada's first African-Canadian Governor General]] '''First African-Canadian MNA in Quebec:''' [[Jean Alfred]], Papineau, Parti Québécois MNA 1976-1981 '''First African-Canadian Female MNA in Quebec:''' [[Yolande James]], Nelligan, Liberal MNA 2003-present '''First African-Canadian MLA in Nova Scotia:''' [[Wayne Adams]], Nova Scotia Liberal MLA for Preston 1993-1998 '''First African-Canadian female MLA in Nova Scotia:''' [[Yvonne Atwell]], Nova Scotia New Democratic Party MLA for Preston 1998-1999 '''African-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 2003-2005 '''First African-Canadian woman in Cabinet:''' [[Zanana Akande]], St-Andrew's-St. Patrick's, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994 '''First African-Canadian Governor General of Canada:''' [[Michaëlle Jean]] Governor General of Canada, 2005-present '''First African-Canadian Lieutenant Governor:''' Rt. Hon [[Lincoln Alexander]] Lt. Governor of Ontario, 1985-1991 '''First African-Canadian Senator:''' [[Anne Cools]], Liberal Senator 1983-2004, Conservative, 2004+ '''First African-Canadian female mayor:''' [[Daurene Lewis]] - 1984 ==Arab Canadians== '''First Arab Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Arab Canadian MP):''' [[Pierre De Bane]], 1968-1984, Liberal MP [[Matane (electoral district)|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-present '''First Arab Canadian Senator:''' [[Mac Harb]], Liberal Senator 2004 - present ==Armenian 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]], 1997-2004 ==Chinese Canadians== '''First Chinese Canadian candidate in Canada:''' Catherine Emily Ling, 1941 BC provincial election for the [[Emancipation Party]] in Vancouver Point Grey '''First Chinese Canadian elected in Canada:''' [[Douglas Jung]], [[Vancouver Centre]], Progressive Conservative MP, 1957-1962 '''First 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, and [[Ida Chong]], BC Liberal MLA, both elected in 1996 BC provincial election '''First Chinese-Canadian female MP:''' [[Sophia Leung]], [[Vancouver Kingsway]] Liberal MP 1997-2004 <!--[[Image:jung.jpg|thumbnail|right|Douglas Jung, Canada's first Chinese MP]]--> '''First 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 Energy '''First Chinese Canadian Senator:''' [[Vivienne Poy]] '''First Chinese Canadian Governor General of Canada:''' [[Adrienne Clarkson]] Governor General of Canada, 1999-2005 '''First Chinese Canadian Lieutenant Governors''' # [[David Lam]], British Columbia Lieutenant Governor 1988-1995 # [[Norman Kwong]], current Lieutenant Governor of Alberta '''First Chinese Canadian mayor in Canada:''' *[[Peter Wing]], Mayor of Kamloops, first elected 1966, served for three terms ==Croatian Canadians== '''First Croatian Canadian elected to a Legislature:''' [[Dave Stupich]], British Columbia MLA, Nanaimo and the Islands, 1963-1969, Nanaimo 1972-1988 '''First 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]], 1988-1993 '''First Croatian-born Canadian elected to the House of Commons:''' [[Janko Peric]], Liberal MP, [[Cambridge (electoral district)|Cambridge]], 1993-2004 ==Czech Canadians== '''First Czech Canadian MP''' *[[Otto Jelinek]] PC MP 1972-1979 High Park-Humber Valley, 1979-1993 [[Halton (electoral district)|Halton]] ==Filipino Canadians== [[Image:Conradsantos.jpg|thumbnail|100px|right|Conrad Santos, First Filipino Canadian elected in Canada]] '''First Filipino elected in Canada:''' [[Conrad Santos]], Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-present '''First Filipino Canadian Woman elected in Canada:''' [[Flor Marcelino]], Manitoba NDP MLA Wellington 2007-present '''First Filipino Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Filipino Canadian MP):''' Dr. [[Rey Pagtakhan]], [[Winnipeg North]], Liberal MP, 1988-2004 '''First Filipino Canadian elected in Manitoba:''' [[Conrad Santos]], Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-present '''First Filipino Canadian Woman elected in Manitoba:''' [[Flor Marcelino]], Manitoba NDP MLA Wellington 2007-present '''First 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 1988 ==Greek Canadians== '''First Greek elected in Canada:''' [[George Samis]], Ontario New Democratic Party MP 1974 by-election - 1985, Cornwall '''First Greek Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Greek Canadian MP):''' [[Gus Mitges]], Progressive Conservative MP, [[Grey—Simcoe]] 1972-1993 '''First 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-present '''First Hungarian-born Canadian elected to the House of Commons:''' [[Andrew Telegdi]], Liberal MP [[Waterloo (electoral district)|Waterloo]], 1993-present ==Iranian Canadians== '''First Iranian Canadian elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (1st Iranian Canadian Provincial MPP)''' *[[Reza Moridi]], Liberal MPP, [[Richmond Hill (electoral district)|Richmond Hill]], 2007-present ==Italian 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 election '''First Japanese Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Japanese Canadian MP):''' [[Bev Oda]], Conservative MP, [[Clarington—Scugog—Uxbridge]], 2004-present ==Jewish Canadians== '''Extended full political rights:''' 1831, in Lower Canada (Quebec) '''First Jewish Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada:''' [[Ezekiel Hart (politician)|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 Premier [[Mitchell Hepburn]], 1934-1937 '''First Jewish Canadian federal cabinet minister:''' [[Herb Gray]], Liberal, first appointed in 1969 as Minister without portfolio by Pierre Trudeau (Liberal) [[Image:HenryNathan.png|thumbnail|right|Henry Nathan, Canada's First Jewish MP]] '''First Jewish Canadians elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Jewish Canadian MP)''' # [[Henry Nathan]], Liberal MP [[Victoria (electoral district)|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 (electoral district)|Cartier]], Quebec 1943-1947 '''First Jewish leader of a federal party:''' [[David Lewis (politician)|David Lewis]], New Democratic Party 1971-1975 '''First Jewish Premier:''' [[Dave Barrett]], BC New Democratic Party Premier 1972-1975 '''First 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, 1987 '''First Jewish Supreme Court Judge:''' [[Bora Laskin]], 1970, subsequently Chief Justice ==Korean Canadians== '''First Korean Canadian candidates in Canada''' # Dr. [[David Kho]], Ontario New Democratic Party, 1987 provincial election [[Scarborough—Agincourt]] # [[Raymond Cho]], New Democratic Party, 1988 federal election, [[Scarborough—Rogue River]] '''First Korean-Canadian elected to a legislature:''' [[Sandy Lee]], North West Territories ==Latvian Canadians== '''First Latvian Canadian MP:''' [[Sarmite Bulte]], Liberal MP [[Parkdale—High Park]], 1997-2006 ==Macedonian 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 (electoral district)|St. Hyacinthe]], Quebec, Liberal MP, 1867-1872 # [[Fred Rose]], Labour Progressive (Communist) MP 1943-1947, from [[Cartier (electoral district)|Cartier]], Quebec ==Portuguese 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] ==Slovak Canadians== '''First Slovak Canadian to run for the leadership of a major party:''' [[Peter Kormos]], Ontario New Democratic Party leadership 1996 ==South Asians== [[Image:Sihota.jpg|thumbnail|right|Moe Sihota, first South Asian Canadian elected in Canada]] *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 (electoral district)|Eglinton]] - 1972 federal election '''First South Asian elected in Canada:''' [[Moe Sihota]], BC New Democratic Party MLA, Esquimalt-Port Renfrew 1986-1991, Esquimalt-Metchosin, 1991-2001 '''First South Asian Provincial Premier:''' [[Ujjal Dosanjh]], BC New Democratic Party [[February 24]], [[2000]] to [[June 5]], [[2001]] (Punjabi) '''First South Asian leaders of a major political party:''' [[Raj Pannu]], Alberta New Democratic Party [[February 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 the [[Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada]] from 1970-1997 '''First South Asian female MPs:''' [[Yasmin Ratansi]], [[Don Valley East]], Liberal MP 2004+ (Ismaili, Muslim), [[Nina Grewal]], [[Fleetwood—Port Kells]], Conservative MP 2004+ (India, Sikh) and [[Ruby 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, 1991-2001 '''First South Asian MLA elected in Alberta''' '''First South Asian MLA elected in Manitoba:''' [[Gulzar Cheema]], Manitoba Liberal MLA Kildonan 1988-1990 '''First South Asian MPP elected in Ontario:''' [[Murad Velshi]], Ontario Liberal MPP Don Mills 1987-1990 '''First South Asian MLA elected in Nova Scotia:''' [[Leonard Preyra]] Nova Scotia NDP MLA Halifax Citadel 2006-present '''First South Asian School Board Trustee elected in Canada:''' [[Neethan Shan]] York Region District School Board 2006-present '''South Asian Canadian Senators''' *[[Mobina Jaffer]], Liberal Senator, 2001-present '''South 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 Party ==Tamil Canadians== '''First Tamil-Canadian candidate to run for the House of Commons:''' *[[Joseph Thevarkunnel]], NDP candidate in 2000 federal election for Oak Ridges '''First Tamil-Canadian candidate to run in Ontario''' *[[Chandran Mylvaganam]], NDP Candidate in 1993 by-election in Don Mills '''First 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 & 8 ==Ukrainian Canadians== '''First Ukrainian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Ukrainian Canadian MP):''' [[Michael Luchkovich]] United Farmers/CCF MP from [[Vegreville (electoral district)|Vegreville]], Alberta, 1926-1935 '''First Ukrainian Canadian leader of a major political party:''' [[Roy Romanow]], Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leader 1987-2001 '''First Ukrainian Premier:''' [[Roy Romanow]], Premier of Saskatchewan 1990-2001 '''First 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-present ==People with disabilities== '''First hearing-impaired (deaf) person elected in Canada:''' [[Gary Malkowski]] Ontario New Democratic Party MPP [[York East]] (East York) 1990-1995 '''First quadriplegic person elected in Canada:''' [[Percy Wickman]] Alberta Liberal MLA Edmonton-Whitemud '''First quadriplegic person elected to the House of Commons:''' [[Steven Fletcher]], Conservative, [[Charleswood—St. James]], Manitoba, 2004 - present '''First quadriplegic mayor :''' [[Sam Sullivan]], Mayor of Vancouver, November 2005 - present ==Gay, 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 1988 [[Image:Svend Robinson.jpg|thumbnail|100px|right|Svend Robinson, Canada's first Gay MP]] '''First MP elected as an openly-gay candidate to a first term:''' [[Bill Siksay]] New Democratic Party MP for [[Burnaby—Douglas]] elected in 2004 '''First 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 - 2007 '''First 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 Winnipeg ==See also== *[[Female candidates in Canadian elections]] Hispanic Canadians November,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] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Canada]] [[Category:Politics of Canada]]