More Voting

Two more first round matchups to vote on, as a pair of Atlantic Canadian heavyweights square off in one matchup, and two polarizing figures from the West lock horns in the other. Advancing so far are Oliver Mowatt (12), Ed Schreyer (7), Rene Levesque (16), and WAC Bennett (14).

Voting for this round will close just before midnight Tuesday night.



Joey Smallwood ( 13) vs. Louis Robichaud (4)


Joey Smallwood
Newfoundland (1949-72)
Career Highlights: The self-proclaimed "last father of confederation" led Newfoundland into Canada in 1949. He would govern for 23 years with an iron fist, stamping out all opposition by any means neccesary. Like Napolean and Michael Jordan, he twice tried political comebacks, with one being somewhat succesful, and one being a failure. During his time as Premier, he tried to industrialize the province, but most of his projects were failures.

Louis Robichaud

New Brunswick (1960-70)

Career Highlights: Robichaud became Premier of New Brunswick at the age of 35. Once in office, change was indeed quick and massive. Robichaud's term saw the end of temperance inspired liquor laws, the introduction civil service unions, universal free health care, the creation of 3 of New Brunswick's four public universities, a renewed exploration of natural resources, and most notably Equal Opportunity and Official Bilingualism. Robichaud abolished country governments, resulting in dramatically better health and education for those living in rich cities compared to those living in poor rural counties. Robichaud improved the situation for Acadiens, establishing official billingualism and l'Université du Moncton.

Betting Line: With Atlantic Canada 0 for 2 so far in the first round, at least one man from our East is assured a spot in the gang of eight. Smallwood certainly has more name recognition than Robichaud, but Robichaud's record is a lot less controversial.





Tommy Douglas (15) vs. Peter Lougheed (2)

Tommy Douglas

Saskatchewan 1944-61
Career Highlights: Tommy Douglas formed the first social-democratic government in North America in 1944. Over the next seventeen years, the Douglas administration established universal medicare, and created a number of Crown corporation including Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Sask. telecommunication and Sask. Power Corporation. The Government passed the Saskatchewan Bill of Rights, passed legislation permitting public service employees to unionize, and set about to reform the judicial system including creating the first small claims court in Canada. Governing during a post-was economic boom, the Douglas government presented successive balanced budgets that led to the province’s large debt being paid off.

Peter Lougheed

Alberta 1971-85

Career Highlights: Ended the Social Credit's one-party rule of Alberta, replacing it with Progressive Conservative one-party rule. During his tenure as Premier, the Alberta Government's major priorities were the control of Alberta's natural resources and their development for future generations of Albertans; participation of Albertans in the mainstream of Canadian life; economic diversification; and the improvement of health, research, and recreational facilities in the Province. In 1976, the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund was established, and a portion of these royalties was deposited as long-term investments to be used to meet unanticipated future needs. Is most famous for his fights with the federal government during the energy wars.

Betting Line: This figures to be the best matchup of the quarter-finals, if not the entire tournament as two titans from the right and left clash. Either one could win the entire tournament and the winner of this fight will probably depend on whether the right, or left, mobilizes their vote more effectively.