ON THIS DAY

February 22, 1976 – Joe Clark emerged from a divided convention as leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party. He went on to become Canada’s youngest prime minister in 1979, but his tenure was short-lived. His minority government fell on a non-confidence motion in December 1979 and the Liberals led by Pierre Trudeau swept back into power in the ensuing election. Clark remained PC leader until 1983 when Brian Mulroney replaced him. He continued his political career in several roles as a very well-regarded cabinet minister in Mulroney’s government.