2004 — Kim Campbell becomes the 18th Prime Minister to have a portrait unveiled in the Centre Block of Parliament Hill. Painted by David Goatley of British Columbia, the Campbell canvas shows the first female Prime Minister surrounded by legal, academic and First Nations robes — all symbols of parts of her career.
Campbell arrives 45 minutes late for the unveiling, held up by protesters on Parliament Hill demontrating against the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush. Prime Minister Paul Martin indicates he’s honoured to be adding a female presence to the corridor.
1848 — Louise Mahamah Bowell, the first child of The Intelligencer publisher Mackenzie Bowell, is born in Belleville. In all, Bowell will have six daughters and three sons; five of whom survive to adulthood.
2005 — For the first time in Canadian history, a federal government is defeated in a straight no-confidence vote. The vote wasn’t linked to any legislation. It was simply a case of the three opposition parties voting against the Liberal minority government of Paul Martin.
2000 — Jean Chrétien becomes the first Prime Minister since William Lyon Mackenzie King to win three majorities in a row. In Canada’s 37th federal election, Chrétien continues to benefit from a divided opposition.
1857 —John A. Macdonald becomes premier of the United Province of Canada for the first and only time. As Attorney-General of Canada West (Ontario) he has been functioning as deputy premier to Sir Etienne Taché. However, Taché is tired and his move to semi-retirement has boosted Macdonald to the top political post.
1904 — Jean St. Laurent, the Quebec Liberal candidate for Compton, loses the provincial election to the Conservative incumbent Allan Giard. He receives almost no support from the provincial Liberals who not want to field candidates against the few Conservatives who were prepared to flout their party’s election boycott.
1892 — Prime Minister Sir John Abbott, diagnosed with stomach cancer while visiting England for medical advice, sent a letter of resignation to his House leader back in Ottawa, Sir John Thompson. The letter is to be used at Thompson’s convenience.
1944 — For two years, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King has been hedging about introducing conscription. But heavy Second World War casualties in Europe, combined with pressure from English Canada, results in the Resources Mobilization Act to conscript 16,000 soldiers for the war effort.
1887 — Yet another round of fisheries negotiations begins in Washington. Since Confederation, the fishing rights between Canada and the United States have remained contentious.
1988 — Canada’s 34th federal election returns Prime Minister Brian Mulroney for a second term. The campaign, fought largely on the issue of the free trade deal with U.S., ends up reducing the number of Progressive Conservative seats in the House by 42. But it is still enough to give Mulroney a majority government.
Canadian Prime Ministers 