Three attempts works again for Diefenbaker

1956 — The third time is the charm as John Diefenbaker is chosen leader of the Progressive Conservative party after three attempts in 14 years for the position. He wins on the first ballot at the leadership convention in Ottawa, beating Donald Fleming and Davie Fulton.

In 1942 he came in third when John Bracken was chosen leader. Six years later he was second to George Drew. It also took Diefenbaker three tries to get into the House of Commons: 1925, 2926 and 1940.

Campbell to leave politics

1993 — Canada’s first and only female Prime Minister, who stepped down last month after only 132 days in office, has resigned as leader of the Progressive Conservative party. Kim Campbell makes the move exactly six months after being chosen party leader.

She does not plan to stay in politics and has indicated the possibility of writing a book. Her probable successor is Jean Charest, the deputy leader and one of only two Conservative MPs elected in last October’s election. He narrowly lost the leadership contest to Campbell last June.

Thompson dies suddenly at age 49

1894 — Having just been inducted into the Imperial Privy Council by Queen Victoria, Prime Minister Sir John Thompson was sitting down for lunch at Windsor Castle when he fainted. Taking a few minutes to recover, he returned to the table with the Queen’s doctor at his side. Complaining of a chest pain, he collapsed and died.

Canada’s High Commissioner to Britain, Sir Charles Tupper, was immediately summoned to take over arrangements for returning Thompson to Canada. Back in Ottawa, a surprised acting prime minister Mackenzie Bowell and Finance minister Sir George Foster make the solemn trip to the Prime Minister’s house to give Annie Thompson the sad news.

Bracken adds ‘Progressive’ to ‘Conservative’

1942 — Manitoba’s Premier, John Bracken, is picked to be the new leader of the Conservative party to succeed Arthur Meighen, a former Prime Minister. He agreed to seek the leadership on the condition that the Conservatives add the word Progressive to the party name — reflective of his role as leader of the Progressive Party of Manitoba.

Trailing him at the leadership convention in Winnipeg are two other western Conservatives, veteran politician Murdoch MacPherson and rookie MP John Diefenbaker.

Bowell dies in Belleville

1917 — Recurring bouts of bronchitis in the past few years have finally taken the life of former Prime Minister Sir Mackenzie Bowell, who dies at his home in Belleville, Ontario. He is the last of Canada’s early leaders who had been in politics since 1867.

His funeral service at Bridge Street Methodist Church is organized by the local Masons and Orangemen. Although the carriage procession that carries him to Belleville Cemetery is long, no current or former members of government take part.

An exhausted Borden decides to retire

1919 — Dr. Charles Martin of Montreal and Dr. William Cavan of Toronto examine Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden and urge him to retire from politics. Borden, who had a heart attack three months ago, takes a day to think about it and decides to heed their advice.

On December 16, he informs the Duke of Devonshire, Canada’s Governor-General, he intends to step down in the spring. His formal resignation takes place on July 10, 1920.

Macdonald defends American invader

1838 — Kingston lawyer John A. Macdonald defends Nils Von Schoultz, a Finnish-born American who led an invasion in November to release Canadians from British oppression. The battle to hold Prescott in Upper Canada was unsuccessful and Von Schoultz surrendered.

Despite Macdonald’s misgivings, Von Schoultz is remorseful about his role in the attack and readily admits his guilt. The sympathy he garners is not enough to prevent his conviction by court martial. He is hanged the next day at Fort Henry in Kingston.

Status of Women Report is released

1970 — The Royal Commission on the Status of Women, launched in 1967 by Prime Minister Lester Pearson, presents its report. The commissioners call for abortion on demand, more birth control information, day care centres for children and the relaxation of divorce laws.

The current Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, recognizes the importance of the status of women as a social issue and by the 1980s many of the commission’s 167 recommendations have been addressed.

Canada now facing a three-party system

1921 — The Liberals, under leader William Lyon Mackenzie King, win Canada’s 14th federal election. Prime Minister Arthur Meighen not only loses power, but also his seat in Portage La Prairie.

King is facing a minority government because of a voting surge for the new Progressive party that bumps the Conservatives to third place. Thomas Crerar, the Progressive leader, declines the Leader of the Opposition role, so it’s taken on by Meighen who wins a by-election in Grenville, Ontario.

Prominent Quebec lawyer approached to take on Justice

1941 — Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King asks Quebec lawyer Louis St. Laurent to be his next Justice minister. St. Laurent is a past president of the Canadian Bar Association, was the legal adviser to the Rowell-Sirois Commission examining federal-provincial financial relations, and is co-chairing Quebec’s Victory Loan Campaign to raise money for the war effort.

If he says yes, St. Laurent will have big shoes to fill. The previous Justice minister was Ernest Lapointe, King’s Quebec lieutenant who died of cancer last month. St. Laurent enters cabinet on December 10.