Long-term thinking still critical in a rapid-fire world
Arthur Milnes offers up some trivia on famous Canadian political leaders.
It's federal election time, which means it's also time to try your hand at the following trivia questions, compiled by public historian Arthur Milnes. What do you know about our politicians, really? Let's find out!
1.
Who was first Indigenous woman elected to the House of Commons?
2.
When was the last time a local returning officer had to break a tie in a federal election, his choice therefore sending an MP to Ottawa?
3.
In the Parliament just dissolved by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who was the longest-serving MP?
4.
After all the elections of their eras were over, which prime ministers chose to spend their retirement or final years in Ottawa?
5.
Which prime minister, after successfully contesting his last national election, had the personal pleasure of introducing his son, a rookie MP, to the House of Commons?
6.
Who was Canada's first Black MP? 7.
Who has been Canada's most electorally successful Conservative prime minister?
8.
Which candidate, duly elected to the House in a national election, died before assuming a seat in the Commons?
9.
Prime ministers Kim Campbell, John Turner and Sir John A. Macdonald share this unique distinction. What is it?
10.
Which future prime minister, as a younger person, spent a night in jail after joining protesters outside a Conservative rally in Toronto during a federal election campaign?
And now, the answers:
1.
Liberal Ethel Blondin-Andrew made history in November 1988 when she was elected to represent the Northwest Territories in the Commons. Blondin-Andrew again made history when she joined the federal cabinet, becoming the first Indigenous woman to serve as a cabinet minister. She was secretary of state under prime minister
Jean Chrétien and a minister of state under prime minister Paul Martin.
2.
This occurred after the 1963 campaign in the Quebec riding of Pontiac—Témiscamingue. Incumbent MP Paul Martineau, a Conservative, found himself in an exact tie with his opponent, Paul-Oliva Goulet, a Liberal. The returning officer, as per law, broke the tie — in Martineau's favour.
3.
Bloc Québécois MP Louis Plamondon was first elected to the House of Commons by Quebec voters in 1984, meaning he has served as an MP for a commanding 37 years.
4.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Robert Borden, John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson, Joe Clark and Jean Chrétien.
5.
Sir John A. Macdonald. His son, like his father, won a seat in the 1891 election. Hugh John Macdonald later served in the federal cabinet and then became premier of Manitoba.
6.
Conservative Lincoln Alexander made history with his election to the Commons, representing a Hamilton riding in 1968. In 1979, he made history again when prime minister Joe Clark chose him to serve in his Tory cabinet, making Alexander Canada's first Black cabinet minister as well.
7.
Sir John A. Macdonald. He earned majority mandates — but not consecutively — from Canadians six times, in 1867, 1872, 1878, 1882, 1887 and 1891.
8.
Alberta Conservative John Dahmer was the victor in his riding in the 1988 federal election. Tragically, however, he entered hospital days after his victory and died from diabetes complications before he could be officially sworn in.
9.
All three of these prime ministers represented British Columbia in the House of Commons.
10.
Paul Martin. During a Conservative campaign rally in Toronto in the 1950s, Martin joined other University of Toronto students in protesting outside. Toronto police arrived and Martin was one of the young people sent to cool their heels in jail. The next day, Martin's father, the legendary Paul Martin Sr., had to come to bail court in person to ensure his son's release.