Electoral Firsts in Canada

Women
Women Won the Right to Vote in Federal Elections -
 * 1918

First Women Elected To A Legislature In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Louise McKinney, 1st woman elected anywhere in the British Empire, 1917-1921 Alberta Legislature for the Non Partisan League, a left wing prohibition, & social welfare party.

First Women Elected to the Canadian House of Commons (1st Woman MP) -
 * Agnes MacPhail, Progressive, United Farmers of Ontario-Labour,  C.C.F. MP Grey South Grey-Bruce, from 1921-1940 (Ran, Lost) (She was also 1 of 2 women who were the first women as MPP in the Ontario Legislature for the  C.C.F. (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party ) for the riding of York East 1943-1945 & 1948-1951)



2nd Woman MP -
 * Martha Louise Black, Independent Conservative, MP Yukon, 1935-1940

3rd Woman MP -
 * Dorise Nielsen Unity (Communist) & Labour Progressive (Communist), MP North Battleford, Sask. 1940-1945

4th Woman MP -
 * Cora Taylor Casselman, teacher, Liberal MP Edmonton East, 1941-1945

5th Woman MP -
 * Gladys Strum, teacher, C.C.F. MP Qu'Appelle, Sask., 1945-1949

First Woman Prime Minister -
 * Kim Campbell, Progressive Conservative  Prime Minister 1993



First Woman to lead a (Major) Federal Party -
 * (1st) Audrey McLaughlin, New Democratic Party Leader, 1989-1995,
 * (2nd) Kim Campbell P.C. 1993,
 * (3rd) Alexa McDonough New Democratic Party Leader 1995-2002,

1st Women to Run for the Leadership of a (Major) Federal Party -
 * (1st) Mary Walker-Sawka (a candidate who got 2 out of 2231 votes in 1967 Progressive Conservative  leadership),
 * (2nd) Rosemary Brown, 1975 New Democratic Party Convention where she came in 2nd,
 * (3rd) Flora Macdonald 1976 Progressive Conservative  Convention, a popular red tory that came in 4th
 * (4th) Sheila Copps, ran in 1989 Liberal Convention, coming in 3rd
 * (5th) Audrey McLaughlin, 1989 New Democratic Party Convention, won the leadership
 * (6th) Kim Campbell, 1992 Progressive Conservative  Convention, won the leadership
 * (7th) Alexa McDonough, 1995 New Democratic Party Convention, won the ledership
 * (8th) Diane Ablonczy, 2002 Canadian Alliance Convention, coming in 4th
 * (9th) Bev Meslo, 2003 New Democratic Party Convention, coming in last
 * (10th) Belinda Stronach, 2004 <font color="#0000FF"> Conservative  Convention, coming in 2nd


 * NOTE - Francine Lalonde and Pierrette Venne ran for the Bloc leadership in 1996.

First Woman to Lead a Provincial Party -
 * (1st) Thérèse Casgrain, <font color="#FF6600">F.C.C. (Quebec C.C.F.)  Quebec, 1951-1957,
 * (2nd) Hilda Watson, <font color="#0000FF">Yukon Progressive Conservatives  1978
 * (3th) Alexa McDonough, <font color="#FF6600">Nova Scotia New Democratic Party Leader 1980- 1994
 * (4th) Shirley McLoughlin, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal 1981-1983
 * (5th) Sharon Carstairs, <font color="#FF0000">Manitoba Liberal 1984-1993
 * (6th) Elizabeth Weir <font color="#FF6600">New Brunswick New Democratic Party ) 1988-2005
 * (7th) Barbara Baird-Filliter, <font color="#0000FF">New Brunswick Progressive Conservatives 1989-1991,
 * (8th) Lynda Haverstock, <font color="#FF0000">Saskatchewan Liberal, 1989-1995
 * (9th) Pat Mella, <font color="#0000FF">P.E.I. Progressive Conservatives 1990-96,
 * (10th) Rita Johnston B.C. Social Credit, 1990-1991,
 * (11th) Lyn McLeod, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal 1992-1996
 * (12th) Catherine Callbeck, <font color="#FF0000">P.E.I. Liberal, 1993-1996
 * (13th) Grace McCarthy B.C. Social Credit, 1993-95
 * (14th) Betty Hewes <font color="#FF0000">Alberta Liberal 1994 (interim)
 * (15th) Lynn Verge, <font color="#0000FF">Newfoundland Progressive Conservatives 1995-96,
 * (16th) Ginny Hasselfield, <font color="#FF0000">Manitoba Liberal ,1996-97
 * (17th) Pam Barrett, <font color="#FF6600">Alberta New Democratic Party 1996-2000
 * (18th) Nancy MacBeth, <font color="#FF0000">Alberta Liberal, 1998-2001,
 * (19th) Pat Duncan, <font color="#FF0000">Yukon Liberal, 1998-now,
 * (20st) Bonnie Mitchelson <font color="#0000FF">Manitoba Progressive Conservatives  2000 (interim)
 * (21nd) Helen MacDonald, <font color="#FF6600">Nova Scotia New Democratic Party ., July 16 2000-2001
 * (22rd) Joy MacPhail, <font color="#FF6600">British Columbia New Democratic Party 2001-2003  (interim)
 * (23th) Adriane Carr, <font color="#336600">British Columbia Green Party  2001-now
 * (24th) Carole James, <font color="#FF6600">British Columbia New Democratic Party 2003-now
 * (25th) Allison Brewer, <font color="#FF6600">New Brunswick New Democratic Party  2005-now

note - Interim leaders, not elected *

First Women In Cabinet (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Mary Ellen Smith, 1st Woman Cabinet Minister anywhere in Western World, 1918-1928 B.C. <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA
 * (Federally) - Ellen Fairclough 1957 <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative 

First Woman Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
 * Jeanne Sauvé 1980-1984

1st Woman Federal Justice Minister (Attoney General) - Kim Campbell (<font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative )

1st Woman Federal Defence Minister - Kim Campbell (<font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative )

First Woman Speaker of the House (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Nancy Hodges <font color="#FF0000">Alberta Liberal MLA 1941-1953, made speaker of B.C. legislature in Dec 1949.

First Woman Senator -
 * Cairine Wilson, 1930

First Woman Govenor General of Canada -
 * Jeanne Sauvé (1984-1990)

First Women Premiers -
 * (1st) Rita Johnson, BC 1991 (Social Credit)
 * (2nd) Nellie Cournoyea, Northwest Territories 1991-1995 (non-partisan consensus government)
 * (3rd) Catherine Callbeck, PEI 1993-1996 (1st Elected Woman Premier) (<font color="#FF0000">Liberal )
 * (4th) Pat Duncan, Yukon 2000-2002 (<font color="#FF0000">Liberal )

First Women MLA Elected Provincially in British Columbia -

First Women MLA Elected Provincially in Alberta -


 * Louise McKinney, she was also the 1st woman elected anywhere in the British Empire, 1917-1921 Alberta Legislature for the Non Partisan League, a left wing prohibition, & social welfare party.

First Women MLA Elected Provincially in Saskatchewan -

First Women MLA Elected Provincially in Manitoba -
 * Sarah Ramsland, <font color="#FF0000">Saskatchwwan Liberal - Pelly 1919by-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 Women MPP Elected Provincially in Ontario -
 * (1st, tied) Agnes Macphail & Rae Luckock, <font color="#FF6600">C.C.F. (the forerunner to the <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MPPs for York East 1943-1945, 1948-1951 &  for Bracondale 1943-1945 respectively

First Women MNA Elected Provincially 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 Women MLA Elected Provincially in New Brunswick -
 * Brenda Robertson (1967-1985)

First female candidate in P.E.I.: Hilda Ramsay, P.E.I. CCF candidate in 1951

First Women MLA Elected Provincially in P.E.I. -

First Women MLA Elected Provincially in Nova Scotia -

First Women MHA Elected Provincially in Newfoundland & Labrador -

First Women MLA Elected Provincially in Yukon -

First Women Elected in a Municipal Election - Mary Teresa Sullivan, Halifax City Council, 1936+

Canada's 1st Woman Mayor - Barbara Hanley, Webbwood, Ontario (1936-1944)

Canada's 1st Woman Mayor of a City - Charlotte Whitton, Ottawa (1951-1956, 1960-1964)

1st Woman President of a Political Party in Canada
 * 1st Agnes Macphail - Founding President of the <font color="#FF6600">Ontario CCF ) 1932-?
 * 2nd Gladys Strum - President of <font color="#FF6600">'''Saskatchewan C.C.F. 194?-195?

Aboriginal Canadians
'''First Aboriginal Canadian Elected to a Legislature In

Canada (Federally or Provincially)''' -
 * Frank Arthur Calder, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party, 1949-1975* (1st treaty native elected anywhere in Canada)

First Aboriginal Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Aboriginal Canadian MP) -

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA Elected Provincially in British Columbia -
 * Frank Arthur Calder, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party, 1949-1975* (1st treaty native elected anywhere in Canada)

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA Elected Provincially in Alberta -
 * Mike Cardinal, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservatives  MLA Athabasca-Redwater 1989-present

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA Elected Provincially in Saskatchewan -
 * Lawrence Riel Yew <font color="#FF6600">Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA Cumberland 1982-1986 and 2nd was Keith Goulet MLA Cumberland 1986-2003

First Aboriginal Woman MLA Elected Provincially in Saskatchewan -
 * Joan Beatty, <font color="#FF6600">Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA for Cumberland, 2003 to present

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA Elected Provincially in Manitoba -
 * Elijah Harper, <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Rupertsland 1981-1992

First Aboriginal Canadian MPP Elected Provincially in Ontario -
 * Peter John North <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party ) MPP 1990-1993, Independent MPP 1993-1999

First Aboriginal Canadian MNA Elected Provincially in Quebec -

First Aboriginal Canadian MHA Elected Provincially in Newfoundland & Labrador -
 * Wally Andersen <font color="#FF0000">Newfoundland & Labrador Liberal MHA Torngat Mountains 1996-present

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA Elected Provincially in Yukon -

First Metis Canadian Elected to a Legislature In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Louis Riel, INDEPENDENT, MP Provencher, Manitoba 1873+

First Inuit Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Inuit Canadian MP) -
 * Peter Ittinuar, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party, a pilot from the North West Territories, MP Nunatsiaq, NWT 1979-

First Inuit elected in southern Canada
 * George Hickes (politician) <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Point Douglas, 1990-present

First Inuit speaker of a legislature
 * George Hickes (politician) <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Speaker 1999-present

Jewish Canadians
Extended Full Political Rights -
 * 1831, in Lower Canada (Quebec)

First Jewish Canadian Elected To A Legislature In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Ezekiel Hart, elected in Lower Canada in the by-election of April 11, 1807

First Jewish Canadian Cabinet Minister (provincial or federal) -
 * David Croll, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal, Ontario Cabinet of Premier Mitchell Hepburn, 1934-1937

First Jewish Canadian Federal Cabinet Minister -
 * Herb Gray, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal, first appointed in 1969 as Minister without portfolio by Pierre Trudeau (Liberal)



First Jewish Canadian Elected to the Canadian House of Commons (1st Jewish Canadian MP) -
 * Henry Nathan, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Victoria 1872-1874
 * 2nd - A.A. Heaps, <font color="#FF6600">C.C.F. (the forerunner to the <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party ) MP, Winnipeg North 1935-1940
 * 3rd - Fred Rose, Labour Progressive (Communist) MP Cartier, QU 1943-1947

First Jewish Leader of a Federal Party -
 * David Lewis, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party Leader 1971-1975

First Jewish Premier -
 * Dave Barrett, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party Premier 1972-1975

First Jewish Senator -
 * David Croll, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal, appointed 1955.

First Jewish Leader of a Provincial Party -
 * (1st) Dave Barrett, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party 1969-May 20, 1984
 * (2nd) Stephen Lewis, <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party Leader 1970-1978
 * (3rd) Izzy Asper, <font color="#FF0000">Manitoba Liberal Leader, 1970-75,
 * (4th) Sidney Spivak, <font color="#0000FF">Manitoba Progressive Conservatives  Leader from 1971 to 1975
 * (5th) Stuart Smith, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal Leader 1976-1982
 * (6th) Larry Grossman, <font color="#0000FF">Ontario Progressive Conservatives , November 22, 1985 - September 10, 1987

First Jewish Supreme Court Judge -
 * Bora Laskin, 1970, subsequently Chief Justice

Black Canadians
Early Blacks Elected in Canada - (NOTE - The first Black elected in Canada is unknown, and it was probably before Canada was a country.)
 * (1) Burr Plato, councilor for Niagara Falls, 1886-1901
 * (2) William Hubbard, Alderman for Toronto 1893-1932

First Black Candidate To Run Federally -
 * Bill White - Spadina, <font color="#FF6600">C.C.F. (the forerunner to the <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party ) 1949

First Black Elected In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Leonard Braithwaite, Etobicoke-York, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberals MPP 1963-1975

First Black Candidate To Run Provincially in Ontario -
 * (1st)Stanley G. Grizzle ran for the <font color="#FF6600">Ontario C.C.F. (the forerunner to the <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party ) in 1959 Provincial Election in York East (East York).


 * (2nd-tied) Jack White ran for the <font color="#FF6600">Ontario N.D.P. in 1963 Provincial Election in Davenport and Leonard Braithwaite, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberals in Etobicoke-York in 1963.

First Black Woman elected in Canada (Federally, Provincially) -
 * Rosemary Brown Vancouver-Burrard, Burnaby-Edmonds, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MP 1972-1986

1st Black Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Black MP) -
 * Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander - Hamilton Mountain, <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative  MP 1968-1984



2nd Black Canadian MP -
 * Howard McCurdy - Windsor-St. Clair, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MP 1984-1993

Other Black Canadian MPs -
 * Ovid Jackson - Grey-Bruce, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-2004
 * Hedy Fry – Vancouver Centre, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-now
 * Jean Augustine – Etobicoke Lakeshore, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-2006
 * Gordon Earle – Halifax West <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MP 1997-2000
 * Marlene Jennings – NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1997-now
 * Maka Kotto, Saint Lambert, Bloc Quebecois MP 2004-now
 * Vivan Barbot, Papineau, Bloc Quebecois MP 2006-now

1st Black Canadian Woman Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Black Woman MP) -
 * (1st, tied) Jean Augustine, Etobicoke Lakeshore, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-now, and Hedy Fry, Vancouver Centre, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-now

First Black Person to Run for the Leadership of a Major Party (Federally or Provincially) -
 * (1st) Rosemary Brown - Vancouver-Burrard MLA for the B.C. N.D.P., ran in 1975 for federal <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party leadership, coming in 2nd
 * (2nd) Howard McCurdy - Windsor-St. Clair MP for the Federal <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party, ran in 1989 for NDP leadership
 * (3rd) Yvonne Atwell, Nova Scotia <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party  MLA, ran for the Nova Scotia NDP leadership in 1996

1st Black MLA in British Columbia (Provincial) -
 * (1st, tied) Emery Barnes, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA Vancouver Burrard 1972-1996 AND Rosemary Brown, Vancouver Burrard, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party   MLA 1972-1986

1st Black MPP in Ontario -
 * Leonard Braithwaite, Etobicoke-York, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP 1963-1975

1st Black MNA in Quebec -
 * Jean Alfred, Papineau, Parti Québécois MNA 1976-1981

1st Black Woman MPP in Ontario -
 * Zanana Akande, St-Andrew's-St. Patrick's, <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994

1st Black MLA in Nova Scotia -
 * Wayne Adams, <font color="#FF0000">Nova Scotia Liberal MLA for Preston 1993-1998

'''1st Black Woman MLA in Nova Scotia -
 * Yvonne Atwell, <font color="#FF6600">Nova Scotia New Democratic Party MLA for Preston 1998-1999



Other Black MPPS, MLAs, MNAs & MHAs
 * Mary Ann Chambers - <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP Scarborough East 2003-now

Black Speaker of a Legislature in Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * (1st) Emery Barnes, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1996, Speaker in B.C. legislature 1993 to 1996 when he retired.
 * (2nd) Alvin Curling, Ontario <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MPP 1985-2005, Speaker 2003-2005

First Black Canadian In Cabinet (Federally or Provincially) -
 * 1st - *Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander - Hamilton Mountain, <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative  MP 1968-1984, Cabinet Ministet in 1979
 * 2nd - Alvin Curling, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP 1985-2005, Cabinet Minister 1985

First Black Women In Cabinet (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Zanana Akande, St-Andrew's-St. Patricks, <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994



1st Black Governor General of Canada -
 * Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada 2005-present

1st Black Lieutenant Governor -
 * Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander Lt. Governor of Ontario 1985-1991

1st Black Senator -
 * Anne Cools, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal Senator 1983-2004, <font color="#0000FF">Conservative 2004+

Other Black Senators -
 * Donald Oliver - <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative  Senator
 * Calvin Ruck - <font color="#FF0000">Liberal Senator

Black Presidents, Vice Presidents & Secretaries of Political Parties 1st Black Female Mayor
 * Yvonne Atwell - Vice President of the <font color="#FF6600">Nova Scotia New Democratic Party 200?-present
 * Diane O'Reggio - Secretary of the <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party
 * Daurene Lewis - 1984

South Asians
First South Asian Canadian Candidate In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * NOTE - South Asians include those of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese or Bangladeshi ancestry.
 * Hardial Bains, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada - Eglinton - 1972 federal election

First South Asian Elected In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Moe Sihota, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA, Esquimalt-Port Renfrew 1986-1991, Esquimalt-Metchosin, 1991-2001

1st South Asian Leader of a Major Political Party (Federally or Provincially) - NOTE - Hardial Bains was the 1st South Asian Canadian to lead a political party. He founded & lead the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada from 1970-1997
 * (1st) Raj Pannu, <font color="#FF6600">Alberta New Democratic Party  Feb 2nd 2000-2004 (MLA 1997-now) (Punjabi)
 * (2nd) Ujjal Dosanjh, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party Feb 24th 2000-2001 (Punjabi)

South Asian MPs -
 * Jag Bhaduria, Markham--Whitchurch--Stouffville, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-1997 (India, ?)
 * Gurbax Singh Malhi, Bramalea--Gore--Malton, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-now (India, Sikh)
 * Herb Dhaliwal, Vancouver South, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-2004 (India, Sikh)
 * Gurmant Grewal, Surrey Central, Reform/Alliance/Conservative MP 1997-now (India, Sikh)
 * Deepak Obhrai, Calgary East, Reform/Alliance/Conservative MP 1997-now (Tanzania, ?)
 * Rahim Jaffer, Edmonton--Strathcona, Reform/Alliance/Conservative MP 1997+ (Uganda, Muslim)
 * Ujjal Dosanjh, Vancouver South, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004+ (India, Sikh)
 * Wajid Khan, Missisauga Streetsville, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004+ (Pakistan, Muslim)
 * Navdeep Bains, Missisauga-Brampton South, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004+ (India, Sikh)
 * Yasmin Ratansi, Don Valley East, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004+ (Africa, Ismali Muslim)
 * Nina Grewal, Fleetwood-Port Kells, <font color="#0000FF">Conservative  MP 2004+ (India, Sikh)
 * Ruby Dhalla, Brampton-Springdale-Malton, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004+ (India, Sikh)
 * Sukh Dhaliwal, Newton-North Delta, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2006+ (India, Sikh)

1st South Asian Woman MP - (Yasmin Ratansi is the 1st Muslim woman elected in Canada, & Nina Grewal and Ruby Dhalla are the 1st Punjabi women elected in Canada)
 * (1st, tied) Yasmin Ratansi, Don Valley East, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004+ (Ismali, Muslim), Nina Grewal, Fleetwood-Port Kells, <font color="#0000FF">Conservative  MP 2004+ (India, Sikh) & Ruby Dhalla, Brampton-Springdale-Malton, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004+ (India, Sikh)

First South Asian MLA elected in BC
 * Moe Sihota, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. 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, <font color="#FF0000">Manitoba Liberal MLA Kildonan 1988-1990

First South Asian MLA elected in Ontario
 * Murad Velshi, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP Don Mills 1987-1990

South Asian Provincial MPPs/MLAs -
 * Moe Sihota, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA, Esquimalt-Port Renfrew 1986-1991, Esquimalt-Metchosin, 1991-2001
 * Ujjal Dosanjh, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA, Vancouver Kensington, 1991-2001
 * Harry Lali <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA, Yale-Lillooet, 1991-2001, 2005-now
 * Rob Nijjar, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA Vancouver Kingsway 2001-2005
 * Patty Sahota, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA Burnaby Edmonds 2001-2005
 * John Nuraney, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA Burnaby Willingdon 2001-now (Ismaili)
 * Jagrup Brar, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA, Surrey-Panorama Ridge, 2004by-now
 * Harry Bains, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA Surrey Newton 2005-now
 * Raj Chouhan, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA Burnaby Edmonds 2005-now
 * Harry Sohal, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservative  MLA Calgary McCall 1993-1997
 * Raj Pannu, <font color="#FF6600">Alberta New Democratic Party MLA, Edmonton Stratcona, 1997-now
 * Shiraz Shariff, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservative  MLA Calgary McCall 1997-now
 * Bharat Agnihotri, <font color="#FF0000">Alberta Liberal MLA, Edmonton Ellerslie, 2004-now
 * Mo Elsalhy, <font color="#FF0000">Alberta Liberal MLA Edmonton McClung, 2004-now
 * Gulzar Cheema, <font color="#FF0000">Manitoba Liberal MLA Kildonan 1988-1990, the Maples 1990-1993by, B.C. Liberal MLA Surrey Panorama Ridge 2001-2004by
 * Bidhu Jha, <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party, Raddison, 2003-now
 * Murad Velshi, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Don Mills 1987-1990
 * Raminder Gill, Ontario Progressive Conservative,

Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale 1995-2003
 * Vic Dhillon, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Brampton West Missisauga, 2003+
 * Kuldip Kular, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Brampton Gore Malton Springdale, 2003+
 * Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Etobicoke North, 2003-now
 * Khalil Ramal, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, London Fanshawe, 2003+
 * Harinder Takhar, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Missisauga Centre 2003+
 * Bas Balkisoon, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP Scarborough Rogue River 2005by-now

South Asian Canadian Senators
 * Mobina Jaffer, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal Senator 2001-present

South Asian Presidents, Vice Presidents & Secretaries of Political Parties
 * Raj Sharan - Former President of the Newfoundland & Labrador <font color="#FF6600">Newfoundland & Labrador New Democratic Party

Arab Canadians
First Arab Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Arab Canadian MP) -
 * (1st) Pierre De Bane, 1968-1984, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Matane, Que. (Palestinian)

Arab Canadian MPs


 * Fonse Faour, 1978-1980, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MP in Newfoundland
 * Mac Harb, 1988-2004, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Ottawa Centre (Lebanon)
 * Mark Assad, 1997-2004 <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Gatineau
 * Georges Farrah, 2000-2004 <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Bonaventure-Iles-de-la-Madeleine
 * Helena Guergis, <font color="#0000FF">Conservative  MP Simcoe-Grey 2004-present

First Arab Canadian In Cabinet (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Pierre De Bane, 1968-1984, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Matane, Que. (Palestinian)

First Arab Canadian leader of a political party -
 * (1st)Fonse Faour <font color="#FF6600">Newfoundland New Democratic Party leader 1980-1981
 * (2nd)Hassan Husseini Communist Party of Ontario 1998-2001

First Arab Canadian Senator -
 * Mac Harb, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal Senator 2004-now

Arab Canadian Provincial MPPs/MLAs - (1st Arab/Muslim elected to Alberta Legislature and 1st Muslim Cabinet Minister anywhere in Canada)
 * Larry Shaben, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservative  MPP Lesser Slave Lake 1975-1989
 * Moe Amery, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservative  MLA Calgary East 1993-now
 * Sine Chadi, <font color="#FF0000">Alberta Liberal MLA Edmonton Roper 1993-1997
 * Mark Assad, <font color="#FF0000">Quebec Liberal MNA 1970 to 1976, 1981 to 1988 Gatineau--La Lièvre
 * Georges Farrah, <font color="#FF0000">Quebec Liberal MNA Îles-de-la-Madeleine 1985-1998
 * Fatima Houda-Pepin, <font color="#FF0000">Quebec Liberal MNA La Pinière 1994-present

Iranian (Persian) Canadians
First Persian Canadian Candidate In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -

Armenian Canadians
First Armenian Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Armenian Canadian MP) -
 * Sarkis Assadourian <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP MP Don Valley North 1993-1997, 1997-2004 MP Brampton Centre (Syrian Armenian)

Chinese Canadians
First Chinese Canadian Candidate In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Catherine Emily Ling, 1941 BC Provincial Election for the Emancipation Party in Vancouver Point Grey

First Chinese Canadian Elected In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Douglas Jung Vancouver Centre <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative  MP 1957-1962

First Chinese Canadian Woman elected in Canada (Federally, Provincially) -
 * (1st, tied) Jenny Kwan,<font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA & Ida Chong, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MP MLA, both elected in 1996 BC provincial election

First Chinese-Canadian Women MP -
 * Sophia Leung, Vancouver Kingsway <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1997-2004

First Chinese Canadian Leader of a Major Political Party (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Arthur Lee, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal leader 1984-1987 (*It should be noted that the BC Liberals had no seats)

First Chinese-Canadian in Cabinet -
 * Bob Wong, 1987 <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal became Minister of Energy

First Chinese Canadian Senator -
 * Vivienne Poy

1st Chinese Canadian Governor General of Canada -


 * Adrienne Clarkson Governor General of Canada 1999-2005

1st Chinese Canadian Lieutenant Governor -
 * (1st) David Lam British Columbia Lieutenant Governor 1988-1995
 * (2nd) Norman Kwong current Lieutenant Governor of Alberta

Chinese Canadian MPs -
 * Douglas Jung, Vancouver Centre <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative  MP 1957-1962 [[Image:jung.jpg|thumbnail|right|Douglas Jung, Canada's 1st Chinese MP|link=Special:FilePath/Jung.jpg]]
 * Arthur Lee, Vancouver East, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1974-1979
 * Raymond Chan, Richmond BC, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1993-2000, 2004-present
 * Sophia Leung, Vancouver Kingsway <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1997-2004
 * Inky Mark, Dauphin-Swan River Reform/Canadian Alliance/Conservative MP 1997-present
 * Mike Chong, Wellington-Halton Hills, <font color="#0000FF"> Conservative  MP 2004-present (1/2 Chinese)
 * Meili Faille, Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Bloc Quebecious MP 2004-present (1/2 Chinese)
 * Olivia Chow, Trinity-Spadina, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MP 2006-present

Chinese Canadian Provincial MPPs/MLAs -
 * Jenny Kwan, <font color="#FF6600">B.C. New Democratic Party MLA, Vancouver in 1996-now
 * Ida Chong, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA Oak Bay-Gordon Head 1996-now
 * Richard Lee, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA Burnaby North 2001-now
 * Patrick Wong, <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA Vancouver-Kensington 2001-2005
 * John Yap <font color="#FF0000">B.C. Liberal MLA Richmond-Steveston 2005+
 * Gary Mar, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservatives , Calgary MacKay 1993-present
 * Bob Wong, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Fort York 1987-1990
 * Tony Wong, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Markham, 2003-present

First Chinese Canadian Mayor in North America
 * Peter Wing, Mayor of Kamloops, first elected 1966, serving for 3 terms

Vietnamese Canadians

 * Hung Pham, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservative , Calgary Montrose 1993-present
 * Wayne Cao, <font color="#0000FF">Alberta Progressive Conservative , Calgary Fort, 1997-present

Filipino Canadians
First Filipino Elected In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Conrad Santos, <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-present

First Filipino Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Filipino Canadian MP) -
 * Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, Winnipeg North, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1988-2004

First Filipino Canadian to Run for the Leadership of a Major Party (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Conrad Santos, <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party leadership 1988

Filipino Canadian Provincial MPPs/MLAs -
 * Conrad Santos, <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-now (Winnipeg)
 * Cris Aglugub, <font color="#FF6600">Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA the Maples 1999-now

Japanese Canadians
First Japanese Canadian Candidate In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Joan Kabayama, GRENVILLE--CARLETON <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party  1972 Federal Election

First Japanese Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Japanese Canadian MP) -
 * Bev Oda, <font color="#0000FF">Conservative  MP Clarington-Scugog-Uxbridge 2004-present

Japanese Canadian Provincial MPPs/MLAs -
 * David Tsubouchi Markham <font color="#0000FF">Ontario Progressive Conservatives  MPP 1995-2003

Korean Canadians
First Korean Canadian Candidate In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * (1st) Dr. David Kho, <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party, 1987 Provincial Election Scarborough Agincourt
 * (2nd) Raymond Cho, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party, 1988 Federal Election, Scarborough Rogue-River

First Korean-Canadian elected to a legislature (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Sandy Lee, North West Territories

Portuguese Canadians
First Portuguese Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Portuguese Canadian MP) -
 * (1st) - John Rodriquez, Nickel Belt, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MP 1974-1980, 1984-1993 (Guyanese Portuguese)
 * (2nd) - Mario Silva, Davenport, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 2004-present

Portuguese Canadian Provincial MPPs/MLAs -
 * Carl DeFaria, <font color="#0000FF">Ontario Progressive Conservative , Missisauga East 1995-2003

Greek Canadians
First Greek Elected In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * George Samis, <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MP 1974by-1985 Cornwall

First Greek Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Greek Canadian MP) -
 * Gus Mitges, <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative  MP Grey-Simcoe 1972-1993

Greek Canadian MPs -
 * Jim Karygiannis, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Scarborough-Agincourt 1988-present
 * Eleni Bakopanos, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Saint-Denis, Quebec 1993-present
 * John Cannis, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Scarborough Centre 1993-present

Greek Canadian Provincial MPPs/MLAs -
 * Peter Delefes, <font color="#FF6600">Nova Scotia New Democratic Party MLA Halifax Citadel 1998-1999

Polish Canadians
First Polish Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Polish Canadian MP) -
 * (1st) - Alexandre Edouard Kierzkowski, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1867-1872
 * (2nd) - Fred Rose, Labour Progressive (Communist) MP 1943-1947, from Cartier Quebec

Polish Canadian MPs -
 * Dr.Stanley Haidasz,<font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Trinity/Parkdale 1957-1978
 * Steve Otto, York East, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1962-?
 * Jesse Flis, Parkdale High Park <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP 1979-1984, 1993-1997

Polish Canadian Provincial MPPs/MLAs -
 * Paul Yakabuski <font color="#0000FF">Ontario Progressive Conservative  MPP Renfrew South 1963-1987
 * Jan Dukszta <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MPP Parkdale 1971-1981
 * Edward Ziemba <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MPP High Park-Swansea 1975-1977-1981
 * Gary Malkowski <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MPP York East 1990-1995
 * Elaine Ziemba <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MPP High Park-Swansea 1990-1995
 * Marilyn Mushinski, <font color="#0000FF">Ontario Progressive Conservative  MPP, Scarborough Centre 1995-2003
 * Leona Dombrowsky, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP, Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington 1999-present
 * John Yakabuski, <font color="#0000FF">Ontario Progressive Conservative  MPP, Renfrew-Nippising-Pembroke 2003+

Latvian Canadians
1st Latvian Canadian MP -
 * Sarmite Bulte, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Parkdale High Park 1997-2006

Slovakian Canadians
First Slovakian Canadian to Run for the Leadership of a Major Party (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Peter Kormos <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party leadership 1996

Ukrainian Canadians
First Ukrainian Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Ukrainian Canadian MP) -
 * Michael Luchkovich United Farmers/<font color="#FF6600">C.C.F. MP from Vegreville, Alberta, 1926-1935

First Ukrainian Canadian Leader of a Major Political Party (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Roy Romanow, <font color="#FF6600">Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leader 1987-2001

First Ukrainian Premier -
 * Roy Romanow, Premier of Saskatchwan 1990-2001

First Ukrainian Canadian Governor General of Canada -


 * Ray Hnatyshyn

Hungarian Canadians
First Hungarian Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Hungarian Canadian MP) -
 * Tom Wappel, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Scarborough West 1988-2000; Scarborough Southwest 2000-present

First Hungarian-born Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature -
 * Andrew Telegdi, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Waterloo 1993-present

Croatian Canadians
First Croatian Canadian Elected to a Legislature
 * John Sola, <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP Missisauga East 1987-1993 (expelled)

First Croatian Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Croatian Canadian MP) -
 * Dave Stupich, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MP Nanaimo-Cowichan 1988-1993

First Croatian-born Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature  -
 * Janko Peric, <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Cambridge 1993-2004

People with disabilities
First Hearing Impaired (Deaf) Person Elected In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Gary Malkowski <font color="#FF6600">Ontario New Democratic Party MPP York East (East York) 1990-1995

Cerebral Palsy candidates in past elections
 * Kevin Kinsella, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party, 2000 federal election

Quadraplegic & Paraplegic Candidates in Past Elections 2006 federal election -
 * David Couturier, Conservative, Beauharnois-Salaberry
 * Donna Martyn, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party, Edmonton Centre

First Quadraplegic Person Elected In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * Percy Wickman <font color="#FF0000">Alberta Liberal MLA Edmonton-Whitemud

First Quadraplegic Person Elected Federally
 * Steven Fletcher, <font color="#0000FF">Conservative , Charleswood-St. James, Manitoba, 2004-now

First Quadraplegic Mayor  -
 * Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver Nov 2005+

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender
First Openly Gay Candidate In Canada (Federally or Provincially) -
 * (1st) Robert Douglas Cook 1979 BC Provincial Election for GATE (Gay Alliance Toward Equality) Party in West Vancouver-Howe Sound
 * (2nd) George Hislop 1981 Ontario Provincial Election, Independent Candidate in St. George ALSO 1981 Toronto Municipal Election

First Openly Gay MP -
 * Svend Robinson, <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party ,elected in 1979, came out in 1988



First Elected Openly Gay MP -
 * Bill Siksay <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party  MP for Burnaby-Douglas elected in 2004

First Gay/Lesbian to run for Leadership of a (Major) Party -
 * (1st) Svend Robinson, 1995 <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party leadership race, coming in 1st but abdicating
 * (2nd) Scott Brison, <font color="#0000FF">Progressive Conservative  2003 Leadership race, coming in 3rd  (He later quit to join the Liberal Party in Nov 2003)

First Openly Gay Leader of a Political Party
 * (1st) Chris Lea, <font color="#336600">Green Party of Canada 1990-1996
 * (2nd) Allison Brewer, <font color="#FF6600">New Brunswick New Democratic Party Sept 25th2005-present
 * (3rd) André Boisclair, Parti Québécois Nov 15th 2005-present

First Openly Gay/Lesbian Senator -
 * (1st) Laurier Lapierre
 * (2nd) Nancy Ruth (formerly Nancy Jackman) PC, 1st Lesbian Senator, Appointed in 2006, came out in 1990(?)

First Openly Gay Mayor -
 * Glen Murray - former Mayor of Winnipeg

Gay Canadian Politicians -


 * Libby Davies - <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party MP Vancouver East 1997-present
 * Helen Kennedy - former East York (part of Toronto) City Councillor
 * Lorne Mayencourt - <font color="#FF0000">British Columbia Liberal MLA and cabinet minister
 * Réal Ménard - BLOC MP HOCHELAGA--MAISONNEUVE 1993-present
 * Alex Munter - former Ottawa city councillor, head of Canadians for Equal Marriage, frm <font color="#FF6600">New Democratic Party candidate
 * Ted Nebbeling - <font color="#FF0000">British Columbia Liberal MLA and cabinet minister
 * Kyle Rae - Toronto City Councillor (first openly gay Toronto city councillor)
 * Mario Silva - <font color="#FF0000">Liberal MP Davenport 2004-present, came out shortly after elected
 * George Smitherman - <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP 1999-present, Minister of Health
 * Tim Stevenson - <font color="#FF6600">British Columbia New Democratic Party ) MLA and Vancouver city councillor
 * Kathleen Wynne - <font color="#FF0000">Ontario Liberal MPP 2003-present

Transgendered Candidates
 * Enza Anderson - Candidate for Mayor of Toronto in 1997 & 2000. Candidate for City Council in 2003.

Article at other websites

 * CanadaWiki Electoral Firsts