The premier Premier

The Institute for Research on Public Policy ranks Peter Lougheed as Canada's best Premier from the last 40 years. Rounding out the top 5:

1. Peter Lougheed
2. William Davis
3. Allan Blakeney
4. Frank McKenna
5. Robert Bourassa

I ran a similar "best Premier" contest among blog readers back in 2007, March-Madness Style. Lougheed came out on top of that one as well, edging out Oliver Mowat in the final.

NOW

And the winner, with 53.2% of the vote, is...

Peter Lougheed. In a photo finish, Alberta's first PC Premier has been crowned as Canada's best Premier, defeating Ontario's Premier for much of the 19th Century, Oliver Mowat.

Lougheed won a wild battle with Tommy Douglas in the first round, before knocking off Ed Schreyer and Ernest Manning, en route to his final fight with Oliver Mowat.

A thanks to all the other blogs who helped run the individual provincial contests. For a full contest recap, feel free to browse the links below:

Final

Semi-Finals

Western Quarter-Finals

Eastern Quarter-Finals

First Round - 4

First Round - 3

First Round - 2

First Round - 1

The contest begins

Best Premier Show Down

After 10 regional contests and 14 knock-out matches, it has all come down to this. Peter Lougheed versus Oliver Mowat for the title of Canada's Best Premier.

Voting will remain open until Monday night at 11 pm Mountain time, when a winner will be crowned.

The Matchup: Peter Lougheed squeaked out of the first round in the most hotly contested battle of the tournament, taking out Greatest Canadian winner, Tommy Douglas. After taking out another dipper in the quarter finals, Lougheed played Social Credit killer, beating Ernest Manning in a hotly contested 1620-1543 vote. One would expect the right to rally around Lougheed, although he has recently been quite critical of both provincial and federal Tories, and has advocated for slowed oilsands growth.

Oliver Mowat finished second in a tight three man race for Ontario's best Premier but got his revenge on John Robarts, defeating him handily in the first round. Mowat won a tight quarter final match against Louis Robichaud but then trounced Rene Levesque in the night of the long knives semi-finals, by a 6 to 1 margin. While Mowat died before anyone voting in this poll was born, that didn't stop Laurier from winning Greatest Prime Minister two summers ago, or George Etienne Cartier from going deep in "Greatest PM we never had" last year.

Peter Lougheed: Lougheed burst onto the Albertan political scene in 1971, leading the Progressive Conservative Party to victory, and ending the 36 year reign of Social Credit. Lougheed's youth, energy, and fresh ideas were instrumental in his win, especially when contrasted with the tired SoCred government of Harry Strom. Lougheed remained immensely popular throughout his tenure as Premier, never once coming close to losing power.

Lougheed oversaw economic growth in Alberta, raising oil and gas royalties, and creating the Heritage Fund to save the profits for future generations. While he did bring in modest advances in the areas of health, research, and recreation, he left his largest mark on the national stage, feuding with the Prime Minister (most famously with Trudeau, but also with Clark) and Ontario Premier Bill Davis. Lougheed raised holy hell over the NEP and fanned the flames of Western alienation but eventually signed a series of renegotiated deals with the Trudeau government.

Oliver Mowat: Mowat left his mark on both Ontario and on Canada as a whole. He attended the Quebec conference that laid much of the groundwork for confederation and was postmaster general in the Ontario government that helped bring confederation into being.

As Premier of Ontario from 1872 to 1896, he would reverse positions he held during the confederation talks and his fight to decentralize Canada was the defining characteristic of his premiership. He oversaw a period of rapid urban growth in Ontario and used his keen political instincts to manage language and religious conflicts with finesse. However, his ability to keep stability often led to timid moves on the legislative front and few decisions he made could really be classified as being of the "bold" variety. He also helped democratize and clean up the democratic process in Ontario, introducing the secret ballot and extending suffrage beyond property owners.

In 1896, he jumped to the federal scene, where the Liberals won under a "Laurier, Mowat, and victory" slogan. He would be appointed Justice Minister following the win.

Who Was Canada's Best Premier?
Peter Lougheed (2)
Oliver Mowat (12)
See Results

The Final Four

UPDATE: The final is set. Oliver Mowat crushed Rene Levesque 602-97, while Lougheed outdid his felow Albertan 1620-1543. So it will be Lougheed versus Mowat in the final.



We've reached the final four in the Best Premier contest. Voting remains open until 10 pm Mountain Wednesday night. Thursday I'll post the final battle which will be voted on until next Sunday evening when a champion will be crowned.

Eastern Semi-Final

Rene Levesque (16) vs. Oliver Mowat (12)

Game Story: Rene Levesque continues his surprising run, after knocking off Jean Lesage in the quarter-finals. As for Mowat, he's already booted a pair of 60s premiers, Jon Robarts and Louis Robichaud. Will it be a night of the long knives with the man with the mutton chops coming out on top, or can Levesque make it to the finals?

Rene Levesque career highlights (Quebec 1976-1985): Drew headlines around the world with the PQ's victory in 1976 and is best remember for going uno-a-uno with Trudeau during the 1980 referendum. Despite this, he does have a strong domestic accomplishment record with campaign finance reform, Hydro-Quebec expansion, and increased social service delivery. Oh, and he killed a homeless man while driving drunk.

Oliver Mowat career highlights (Ontario 1872-96): As Premier, Mowat fought the federal government over jurisdiction of provincial issues, such as liquor, timber, and mineral rights and won, greatly decentralizing Canada. He introduced the secret ballot and extended suffrage beyond property owners. He also created the municipal level of government in Ontario and the Children's Aid Society. Oh, and he's Farley Mowat's great uncle.

Western Semi-Final


Ernest Manning (11) vs. Peter Lougheed (2)

Game Story: After taking out a pair of prairie dippers, Lougheed sets his sights on a fellow Albertan, Ernest Manning. While Manning beat Lougheed's party in the 1967 election, Lougheed offed Manning's successor in '71, ending 36 years of Social Credit rule in Alberta. With two conservative titans from Alberta going head to head, this should make for a good battle.


Ernest Manning career highlights (Alberta 1943-1968): During Ernest C. Manning's period of service as Premier, Alberta became Canada's major oil-producing province following the discovery of the Leduc field in 1947 and the Redwater field in 1948. Education, health, and highways were priorities of Premier Manning's Government. In 1947, it legislated free hospital and medical care for senior citizens and, in 1965, provincial civil servants were given the right to engage in collective bargaining.


Peter Lougheed career highlights (Alberta 1971-85): 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.

The Western Quarters

UPDATE: And it's Manning v. Lougheed in an all-Albertan western final


In the East, Oliver Mowat and Rene Levesque won a pair of nail biters, by 4 and 6 votes respectively. They will meet in the Eastern finals. Out west, the two quarter-finals get under way today and will run until midnight on Saturday night.

Ed Schreyer (7) vs. Peter Lougheed (2)

Game Story: This battle pits the only two of the actual provincial winners left in this tournament, up against each other. Both men defeated NDP Premiers in their first round match-ups, with Lougheed out slugging Tommy Douglas and Schreyer handily taking out Dave Barrett.

Ed Schreyer career highlights (Manitoba 1969-77): He introduced public auto insurance to the province in 1971 and expanded medicare to the point that it included the country's first pharmacare and home care programs. His government amalgamated the hodgepodge of communities near the junction of the Red and Assiniboine River into a "Unicity" known as Winnipeg, and proceeded with a major expansion of hydroelectric dam construction in northern Manitoba.

Peter Lougheed career highlights (Alberta 1971-85): 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.

Ernest Manning (11) vs. WAC Bennett (14)

Game Story: A pair of SoCred titans from the same era get set to tango in what should be a very close quarter-final matchup. Manning was Premier of Alberta for 25 years, bringing credibility to the SoCred movement after the Aberhart years. Bennett led BC for 20 years, making him the province's longest serving Premier.

Ernest Manning career highlights (Alberta 1943-1968): During Ernest C. Manning's period of service as Premier, Alberta became Canada's major oil-producing province following the discovery of the Leduc field in 1947 and the Redwater field in 1948. Education, health, and highways were priorities of Premier Manning's Government. In 1947, it legislated free hospital and medical care for senior citizens and, in 1965, provincial civil servants were given the right to engage in collective bargaining.

William Andrew Cecil Bennett career highlights(British Columbia 1952-72): Led province into an era of modernization and prosperity; expanded communication lines lines to the north of the province; encouraged pulp mills to establish in the central interior; extended the railway to Fort Nelson; longest serving Premier in BC history.

Quarter-Finals - East

UPDATE: At the close of voting Tuesday night, it was Mowat by 4 votes and Levesque by 6 votes in two of the closest races to date in the contest. The two men will square off in the Eastern semi. The Western quarter-finals should get rolling later today.




The first round of Canada's Best Premier is done and the bracket has now conveniently broken itself up into a "western side" and an "eastern side". In the West it will be Peter Lougheed against Ed Schreyer and Ernest Manning against WAC Bennett. Those votes will go live mid-week, for now, a look at the two eastern quarter-final duels. Voting will remain open until Tuesday night at 11 pm Mountain time.

Oliver Mowat (12) vs. Louis Robichaud (4)

Game Story: It's because of matchups like this that I love running these summer contests. You have a man few outside of New Brunswick have ever heard of, up against a man who was Premier before anyone voting in this poll was born. And, yet, they would both make for worthy winners of this contest and managed to knock off more famous opponents in the first round. Mowat led Ontario for 24 years near the province's birth and helped get Wilfrid Laurier elected on the national scene after that while Robichaud oversaw the modernization of New Brunswick. This one could certainly go either way.

Oliver Mowat career highlights (Ontario 1872-96): As Premier, Mowat fought the federal government over jurisdiction of provincial issues, such as liquor, timber, and mineral rights and won, greatly decentralizing Canada. He introduced the secret ballot and extended suffrage beyond property owners. He also created the municipal level of government in Ontario and the Children's Aid Society. Oh, and he's Farley Mowat's great uncle.

Louis Robichaud career highlights (New Brunswick 1960-70): Robichaud became Premier of New Brunswick at the age of 35. Once in office, change was 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 bilingualism and l'Université du Moncton.

Rene Levesque (16) vs. Jean Lesage (8)

Game Story: This matchup assures us of one Quebec Premier in the final four as the top two finishers in Chucker's Quebec Poll square off. Adding to the intrigue is the connection between the two, with Levesque having served in Jean Lesage's Cabinet. Both men advanced and modernized Quebec society dramatically.

Rene Levesque career highlights (Quebec 1976-1985): Drew headlines around the world with the PQ's victory in 1976 and is best remember for going uno-a-uno with Trudeau during the 1980 referendum. Despite this, he does have a strong domestic accomplishment record with campaign finance reform, Hydro-Quebec expansion, and increased social service delivery. Oh, and he killed a homeless man while driving drunk.

Jean Lesage career highlights (Quebec 1960-1966) : Lesage's win in 1960 was a key moment in the Quiet Revolution, ending the Union Nationale's reign. He was subsequently re-elected in '62 under the "Maîtres chez nous" slogan (loosely translated to "master of the house" or "master of his domain"). He was defeated in 1966 because, to be blunt, he was too stupid to redraw the old UN Nationale rural heavy electoral map. During his time as Premier, Lesage brought in massive reform to education, health care, and working conditions. He also nationalized Hydro-Quebec and is generally considered to have caught Quebec up to the rest of North America on both the social and economic fronts, after years of Duplesis government.

Finishing off the Quarter-Finals

UPDATE: It's Lesage over Wells by a comfortable 204-102 vote margin. Lesage will take on a prominent Cabinet Minister of his, Rene Levesque, in the quarter-finals.

In the other match-up, the left wing decided to take up the Grant Devine cause this time but a late surge ended Sanjaya's run, giving it to Ernest Manning in a 673-612. Manning draws fellow SoCred WAC Bennett in the next round.

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Voting is now open in the final two matchups of the first round, and will close at before midnight Thursday night. The semi-finals will start sometime this weekend.

Clyde Wells (9) vs. Jean Lesage (8)

Clyde Wells

Newfoundland 1989-1997

Career Highlights: He is, without a doubt, infamous for his opposition to the Meech Lake Accord (mostly as a response to Québec for Distinct Society). He was one of the few MLAs, which stood firm against Smallwood’s increasingly authoritarian regime.

Jean Lesage

Quebec 1960-1966

Career Highlights: Lesage's win in 1960 was a key moment in the Quiet Revolution, ending the Union Nationale's reign. He was subsequently re-elected in '62 under the "Maîtres chez nous" slogan (loosely translated to "master of the house" or "master of his domain"). He was defeated in 1966 because, to be blunt, he was too stupid to redraw the old UN Nationale rural heavy electoral map. During his time as Premier, Lesage brought in massive reform to education, health care, and working conditions. He also nationalized Hydro-Quebec.

Betting Line: The winner of this round is off to face Rene Levesque in the semis, which should make for a fun federalist/separatist clash, either way. Both Lesage and Wells are quite famous outside their home provinces, making for a too close to call 8/9 battle.

Ernest Manning (11) vs. Grant Devine (6)

Ernest Manning

Alberta 1943-1968
Career Highlights: During Ernest C. Manning's period of service as Premier, Alberta became Canada's major oil-producing province following the discovery of the Leduc field in 1947 and the Redwater field in 1948. Education, health, and highways were priorities of Premier Manning's Government. In 1947, it legislated free hospital and medical care for senior citizens and, in 1965, provincial civil servants were given the right to engage in collective bargaining.

Grant Devine
Saskatchewan 1982-1991
Career Highlights: Highlights? Well, he was never charged himself in the kick-back scandal that hit his government.

Betting Line: Manning got lucky on the seedings, drawing what amounts to a lame-duck candidate in Devine. Expect Preston's daddy to cruise to a second round date with fellow Socred WAC Bennett.

Best Premier Update

After the predictable wild ride in the Douglas/Lougheed shoot-out, I thought this would be a good time to give an update on the Best Premier contest. First, the clash of prairie titans.

Lougheed and Douglas were locked in a tight battle, with Tommy holding a slight lead up until mid-afternoon today when legions of Peter Lougheed fans descended upon this site, sent here by Small Dead Animals. No doubt energized by this article on the Globe and Mail site where Lougheed slams Harper for not holding first ministers meetings and trashes Ed Stelmach and Ralph Klein for neglecting the Heritage Fund, Tories from coast to coast cast a moral vote in support of Lougheed's criticism.

Then, around dinner time, the Douglas vote started to climb. Hitting refresh on my computer, I literally saw it jump by about 20 votes a second. While it is possible that NDP members saw the latest SES poll and concluded this might be their only chance at electoral victory in a long time and voted en masse, some snooping around has led me to conclude that this was computerized vote rigging. I was all set to DQ Douglas on this one, but a late surge has pushed Lougheed back in front and on to the next round, where he will meet yet another NDP Premier in Ed Schreyer.

Here's how the other quarter-final battles have turned out so far:

Rene Levesque (16) over Angus MacDonald (1): 51% to 49%

WAC Bennett (14) over Alex Campbell (3): 55% to 45%

Oliver Mowat (12) over John Robarts (5): 59% to 41%

Ed Schreyer (7) over Dave Barrett (10): 74% to 26%

Louis Robichaud (4) over Joey Smallwood (13): 66% to 34%

Peter Lougheed (2) over Tommy Douglas (15): 54% to 46%

The final two quarter-finals matchups will be posted tomorrow, with the semis getting underway this weekend.

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.

More First Round Battles

UPDATE: Mowat and Schreyer cruise to easy wins.



After a pair of upsets in the first two quarter-final Best Premier matchups, the favourites are certainly nervous. Today, I set up two more knock-out rounds. Voting will close Sunday morning.

Oliver Mowat (12) vs. John Robarts (5)

Oliver Mowat
Ontario (1872-96)
Career Highlights: As Premier, Mowat fought the federal government over jurisdiction of provincial issues, such as liquor, timber, and mineral rights and won, greatly decentralizing Canada. He introduced the secret ballot and extended suffrage beyond property owners. He also created the municipal level of government in Ontario and the Children's Aid Society. Oh, and he's Farley Mowat's great uncle.

John Robarts
Ontario (1961-71)

Career Highlights: During his time as Premier, unemployment rates were the lowest in Canada and Ontario's rate of economic expansion was one of the highest in the world. He was responsible for the construction of York University and the Ontario Science Centre. He also opened the door to French education in Ontario schools. Known for defending provincial rights. He initially opposed Medicare.

Betting Line: A rematch of the most exciting provincial battle, when Robarts won in a finally ballot squeaker over Mowat. Can the only 19th Century entry in this contest get revenge for losing the "Best Ontario Premier" crown? This one is definitely too close to call.

Dave Barrett (10) vs. Ed Schreyer (7)

Dave Barrett

British Columbia (1972-75)

Career Highlights: Reformed the welfare system; established the province's Labour Relations Board; introduced question period to provincial politics in BC; founded ICBC.

Ed Schreyer

Manitoba (1969-77)

Career Highlights: He introduced public auto insurance to the province in 1971 and expanded medicare to the point that it included the country's first pharmacare and home care programs. His government amalgamated the hodgepodge of communities near the junction of the Red and Assiniboine River into a "Unicity" known as Winnipeg, and proceeded with a major expansion of hydroelectric dam construction in northern Manitoba.

Betting Line: Barrett's win of the BC contest was a bit of a fluke so in this all-NDP quarter-final, expect Schreyer to triumph.

In Search of the Gang of Eight

UPDATE: With the poll closed, the high Maritime seeds have fallen. Levesque squeaked out a narrow 51-49% win, while Wacky Bennett topped Alex Campbell. The next battle will be posted tomorrow afternoon.



Voting is now open for the Best Premier quarter-finals. Since not all of these men are household names outside of their own provinces, I'm going to break the first round into four votes, so that I can post a bit of info on all the matchups. (The full field can be seen here)

The first two matchups are listed below. Voting closes Thursday at 7 pm Mountain time.

Rene Levesque (16) vs. Angus MacDonald (1)

Levesque

Quebec (1976-1985)

Career Highlights: Drew headlines around the world with the PQ's victory in 1976 and is best remember for going uno-a-uno with Trudeau during the 1980 referendum. Despite this, he does have a strong domestic accomplishment record with campaign finance reform, Hydro-Quebec expansion, and increased social service delivery. Oh, and he killed a homeless man while driving drunk.

Angus MacDonald

Nova Scotia (1933-40, 45-54)

Career Highlights: Took office during the great depression and, if the good people at wikipedia are to be believed, brought in unemployment relief, old age pensions, collective bargaining, and massive infrastructure projects. After a brief stint in MacKenzie King's Cabinet, MacDonald returned to Nova Scotia where he created the first Department of Education and build several key bridges.

Betting Line: Levesque was the great villain for many in English Canada during his career, so expect top seeded, but little known, MacDonald to cruise to a win in this one.

WAC Bennett (14) vs. Alex Campbell (3)

WAC Bennett

British Columbia (1952-72)
Career Highlights: Led province into an era of modernization and prosperity; expanded communication lines lines to the north of the province; encouraged pulp mills to establish in the central interior; extended the railway to Fort Nelson; longest serving Premier in BC history.

Alex Campbell

PEI (1966-78)

Career Highlights: Generally acknowledged as a forward-thinking visionary, Campbell had a bigger vision for the Island than anyone who’s come before or after him. He left a permanent mark on Island politics through the establishment of restrictions of absentee ownership of land, the development of consolidated schools in rural PEI and the establishment of UPEI by combining the two denominational post-secondary institutions that were in Charlottetown.

Betting Line: It's East meets West in what figures to be a closely fought race. Anyone nick-named "Wacky" is a bit of a wild card and WAC will need to avoid the last day collapse that saw Dave Barrett knock him off for the title of BC's Best Premier. Campbell's got a great CV, but can the man from PEI win on the national stage?

The Search for Canada's Best Premier - Quarter Finals

C'est fini in Quebec, and we have our 10 champions as the "Best Premier" from their respective provinces. In order of length of service and, therefore, seeding:

Nova Scotia: Angus MacDonald (1)
Alberta: Peter Lougheed (2)
PEI: Alex Campbell (3)
New Brunswick: Louis Robichaud (4)
Ontario: John Robarts (5)
Saskatchewan: Grant Devine (6)
Manitoba: Ed Schreyer (7)
Newfoundland: Clyde Wells (8)
Quebec: Jean Lesage (9)
British Columbia: Dave Barrett (10)

Now, obviously enough there was a bit of ballot box stuffing on behalf of all the political parties. And since this contest shouldn’t be taken any more seriously than a reality TV show, I’m not above and beyond modifying the rules in mid-stream. So, to get a field of 16 for bracketing, I’m inviting the six runners up with the highest vote totals (minus Gary Doer who is ineligible as a sitting Premier) to take the bottom six seeds for the main event. So, Ernest Manning, Oliver Mowatt, Joey Smallwood, WAC Bennett, Tommy Douglas, and Rene Levesque - come on down, you’re the bottom six seeds on the Best Premier contest! All were titans in their own provinces and their presence will certainly strengthen the field. That gives us the following bracket, for those playing along with their workplace pool:






I'll start quarter final voting later today.

Je Me Souviens...Enfin!

The only province yet to do in the Greatest Premier contest is the nation. Chuckercanuck has set up a poll at his site, with voting open until Saturday. Since Quebec has never been blessed with a neocon or NDP Premier, this one might avoid the usual freeping we saw in other provinces. So I encourage everyone to cast their vote (warning: if you live in a highly anglophone riding, your vote may be deemed to be spoiled for no apparent reason).


The Field

Pierre Joseph Olivier Chauveau (1867-1873): After doing a lot for education in the province pre-1867, Chauveau became Quebec's first Premier as the "consensus choice" between English protestants and French catholics. From the sounds of things, Chauveau had a tough run as Premier, with a lot of the best talent off helping John A in Ottawa, and the warring religious factions at home making compromise difficult on most issues. After six years, Chauveau decided he needed to do something a lot less stressful and resigned to become speaker of the Senate.


Lomer Gouin (1905-1920): Most famous for Gouin Street, Sir Lomer had a pretty good run as Premier, winning four elections. As Premier, he got increased funding from Ottawa, extended Quebec's borders northward, and presided over fairly strong economic growth. With the economy going strong, Goin paid down the debt, improved education, and had a massive push on infrastructure in response to that new fangled "car". On the social front, he opposed conscription (duh), brought in prohibition (damn), and denied women the vote (d'oh). Despite being a pretty good Premier and a worthy winner, Lomer's currently polling at 0% over at Chucker's site.


Maurice Duplessis (1936-39; 1944-59): In a recent biography, Conrad Black tried to save Duplessis' reputation which probably tells you all you need to know about Duplessis. Duplessis' authoritarian reign in Quebec is often referred to as "La Grande Noirceur". He gerrymandered the electoral map, restricted freedom of the press and, by and large, staled Quebec's development as province. Deplessis' "winning coalition" that kept him in power was the rural parts of the province, US business, and the Catholic Church, and he shamelessly pandered to all three groups.


Jean Lesage (1960-66): I voted for Lesage, although he certainly didn't have a lengthy career as Premier, and I could probably be persuaded to move my vote somewhere else. Lesage's win in 1960 was a key moment in the Quiet Revolution, ending the Union Nationale's reign. He was subsequently re-elected in '62 under the "Maîtres chez nous" slogan (loosely translated to "master of the house" or "master of his domain"). He was defeated in 1966 because, to be blunt, he was too stupid to redraw the old UN Nationale rural heavy electoral map. During his time as Premier, Lesage brought in massive reform to education, health care, and working conditions. He also nationalized Hydro-Quebec.


Daniel Johnson Sr. (1966-68): Not to be confused with his son who nearly lost the '95 Referendum. Johnson, like virtually every Quebec Premier made his position in the federation clear with his election slogan: Égalité ou indépendance. I'm really not sure what he did during his time in Premier except get beaten around by Trudeau at a First Ministers meeting, which set Pierre up as the guy who will "stand up to Quebec" in the eyes of many future Liberal delegates to the '68 convention.


Robert Bourassa (1970-76; 1985-94): The early leader in Chucker's poll. Bourassa's biggest accomplishment during his first kick at the can was to massively expand Hydro-Quebec through the James Bay project. His performance reviews on the October Crisis are usually weak, and he started Quebec on the road to Bill 101, with his Bill 22. Bourassa returned to power in '85, and grabbed headlines on the national stage during this time for his use of the Notwithstanding Clause, and ventures into the Meech and Charlottetown debates.


Rene Levesque (1976-1985): Levesque would certainly be an interesting and, perhaps not completely undeserving winner, if he took this contest. A successful Cabinet Minister under Lesage, the former journalist founded the PQ in 1968. Levesque is obviously most famous for Bill 101 and the 1980 referendum, but his influence on the province wasn't limited to the separatist movement. His campaign finance laws were decades ahead of their time, and his government was the first to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. He moved social services from the church to the state, and completed the nationalization of Hydro-Quebec.


Lucien Bouchard (1996-2001): Undeniably one of the best politicians to come out of Quebec but the best Premier? That's a stretch. After a colourful career in Mulroney's Cabinet, the Bloc Quebecois, and the head honcho during the '95 referendum, Bouchard was acclaimed Quebec Premier when Parizeau, well, you know - went insane following the 1995 Referendum result. As Premier, Bouchard brought in the popular daycare program, cut health care, and balanced the books (kinda). However, his refusal to go hard line on the separation question, led to his removal as party leader in 2001.


Jean Charest (2001- not much longer): Another former Mulroney Cabinet Minister who was acclaimed his party's saviour but didn't really live up to the hype. The verdict is still out but Charest's term was certainly far from successful.


Polls close tomorrow so be sure to get out and vote!

We've got Winners

With voting now closed in eight provinces, we're ready to crown a handful of winners in the Best Premier Contest.

Ontario featured the most exciting race. After leading for most of the contest, Harris fell behind in the three way duel, setting up John Robarts and Oliver Mowatt in the final. Alas, we were denied the opportunity to see a 19th century Premier in this contest and John Roberts eeked it out by a 2,745 to 2,700 vote.


In BC, Dave Barrett got a late last day surge, to overtake the man who probably should have won, WAC Bennet, 657-579 on the eight ballot.


While BC had vote stuffing from the left, in Saskatchewan, Grant Devine held off a late surge by Greatest Canadian Tommy Douglas, to take the crown. I'm not sure why the Tories felt Devine was their man to knock off Tommy but, to each his own.


Barrett will be joined by fellow Dipper Ed Schreyer, who emerged from a series of knock-out matches to take the Manitoba crown.


In Alberta, it's Peter Lougheed, famous for his fights with Trudeau and the creation of the Heritage fund, who will be representing Wild Rose country in the national competition.



Despite low voter turn-out, Alex Campbell emerged as the PEI champion.



Another Liberal Premier from the 60s will be representing New Brunswick after Louis Robichaud's win there.



In fact, Atlantic Canada has been painted red, with Angus Macdonald taking the Nova Scotia crown.


In Newfoundland, Clyde Wells leads, with voting set to close Wednesday.


That just leaves the Quebecois nation...I'm giving the host until tomorrow to set up the poll, or else I'll get someone else to host. This should leave us on track for the main event to begin early next week.

If anyone knows of a good site for free polls that's relatively secure, let me know (or if anyone with some internet skills would like to volunteer to create the polls themselves, that'd be even sweller!).

Dash to the Finish Line

Most of the first round Greatest Premier voting should be done by weekend's end, and a few interesting races have developed.





In the country's most heated race, Ontario has turned into a three way battle between Oliver Mowat, Mike Harris, and John Robarts. As things sit now, it's Robarts crowning Harris on the final ballot, but any of the three could win - be sure to get out and vote.



Contrary to the island tradition, voter turn-out in PEI has been incredibly low. So I encourage everyone to go, check out the bios, and cast your vote - one vote probably will make the difference in this one.



In Nova Scotia, it's Stanfield over Angus Maclean by one vote on the final ballot.



In Alberta, Peter Lougheed has moved from third to first while, despite the best efforts of the Stelmach Cabinet, Harry Strom has only mustered 9 votes so far.



WAC Bennett is currently the 7th ballot winner out in BC.



Newfoundland is also looking like a close race.



In Manitoba, it's an all-NDP final of Ed Schreyer vs Gary Doer.



Saskatchewan is a fait acomplit as Tories from coast to coast decided to remind everyone of Grant Devine on the eve of a Saskatchewan provincial election.



And the first winner has been crowned. Louis Robichaud has emerged as New Brunswick's Greatest Premier after a first ballot win.

Greatest Premier Update

Things are in full swing in the search for Canada's best Premier...


-In Alberta, Manning and Klein are neck and neck with Lougheed nipping on their heels. My personal pick would have been John Brownlee, but without him in the poll, I'd have to reluctantly go with Lougheed.

-In the search for BC's least corrupt Premier, it's Bennett leading Barrett and Bennett, on the 6th ballot.

-Manitoba has their Final Four.

-PEI is on to the quarter-finals.

-It was Robichaud over McKenna in the preliminary round in New Brunswick...round two should be up today.

-Ontario is now voting for a champion.

-Taking a break from spoiling the Harry Potter book and telling kids there's no such thing as Santa Clause, the SDA crowd has decided to stack the Saskatchewan poll in favour of Grant Devine.

-Oh, and Nova Scotia is off and running.

-Also on the East Coast, the field has been announced in Newfoundland, with voting set to start tomorrow.

-That just leaves Quebec and I have it on good authority that the people at Fuddle-Duddle will have the bilingual ballot up and running shortly.

And We're Off

Things are off and running in the search for Canada's Best Premier. Since Premiers hate a strong central government, we're going the asymmetrical federalism route for round one, and ten separate blogs are each using a technique of their own choosing to find our ten contenders. The first round should be done by Sunday, July 29th. I'll be providing periodic updates over the next dozen days. For now, these provinces have started things off:

-MMP advocate Mark Greenan is going the STV route for the PEI battle, selecting 12 Premiers (6 Liberals and 6 Tories)

-Voting is now open for BC's Best Premier (perhaps "BC's least worst Premier" would be a better title)

-Louis Robichaud, the beneficiary of a facebook campaign, has taken the early lead in the New Brunswick poll.

-Mike Harris has the early lead over favourites Oliver Mowat and Bill Davis in the preliminary round of Ontario voting.


I've got blogs lined up for the other six province - expect polls to be posted there within the next few days.


UPDATE: Manitoba is off and running, with a video and everything.

And Saskatchewan has a poll up.

Last Call

Still need 1 or 2 volunteers to host a province in the search for Canada's Greatest Premier. I'm especially looking for some eager people willing to delve into a little Nova-Scotia and Newfoundland history. Drop me an e-mail (calgarygrit@gmail.com) if you're interested.

The Search for Canada's Best Premier

After much discussion, I’ve decided to go with a “Canada’s Best Premier” contest for my summer fun activity (some people travel, some take up volleyball…I blog about history…). I recognize there may not be a ton of name recognition for all of these guys (and I say “guys” because they’re pretty much all guys), but part of the purpose is to learn a little bit too.

As for format, the first round will select one Premier from each province to enter the knock-out bracket. As a twist this year, I’m going to outsource the first round. So if anyone would like to host the first round for their home province, please drop me an e-mail [calgarygrit@gmail.com]. My goal is to find bloggers from 10 provinces, to each run a poll for a couple of days on their blog, to crown a winner. I’ll co-ordinate and post links to all the individual battles.

Once 10 winners have been selected, the six longest serving Premiers will earn the top 6 seeds and the four shortest servers will duke it out for the final 2 spots. This will set us up for three rounds of knock-out matches until Canada’s Best Premier is crowned.

So, for now, I need to hear from bloggers coast to coast (Liberal, Tory, Dipper, you name it) interested in hosting a first round matchup. For simplicity’s sake, I want to limit the field for the first round to 5 or 6 Premiers per province so if there's a man out there who you're afraid will be left out, speak now or forever hold your peace (I'm looking at all you Harry Nixon fans out there).

Hopefully things can get rolling in a week or so.