Electoral firsts in Canada

This article list notable achievements of women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and gay/lesbian/bisexual and transgendered people in Canadian politics and elections in Canada.

This list includes:
* Members of Parliament -- Members of the Canadian House of Commons;
* Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs);
* Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs in Ontario);
* Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in Quebec; and
* Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs) in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Women

Year that women won the right to vote in federal elections: 1918

First woman elected to a legislature in Canada: Louise McKinney, first woman elected anywhere in the British Empire, 1917-1921 Alberta Legislature for the Non Partisan League, a left wing prohibition, and social welfare party.First woman candidates in a Federal ElectionFive women ran in the first federal election that women were allowed to become candidates (1921)
* Harriet S. Dick - Winnipeg Centre, Independent ; 2,314 (4th Place, 4/5)
* Rose Mary Louise Henderson - St. Lawrence—St. George, Labour Party ; 510 (Last Place, 3/3)
* Elizabeth Bethune Kiely ; Toronto East, Liberal ; 52 votes (Last Place, 5/5)
* Agnes Macphail - Grey Southeast, Progressive Party ; 6,958 (1st ; 1/3)
* Harriet Dunlop Prenter - Toronto West, Labour Party ; 1,741 (Last Place, 3/3)

First women elected to the Canadian House of Commons
# Agnes Macphail, Progressive, United Farmers of Ontario-Labour, Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) MP Grey South and Grey—Bruce, from 1921-1940 (She was also one of two women who were the first women as MPPs in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the Ontario CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party) for the riding of York East 1943-1945 and 1948-1951
# Martha Louise Black, Independent Conservative, MP Yukon, 1935-1940
# Dorise Nielsen, Unity (Communist) and Labour Progressive (Communist) MP North Battleford, Sask. 1940-1945
#Cora Taylor Casselman, teacher, Liberal MP, Edmonton East, 1941-1945
#Gladys Strum, teacher, CCF MP Qu'Appelle (electoral district), Sask., 1945-1949

First female Prime Minister
* Kim Campbell, Progressive Conservative Prime Minister 1993

First women in Cabinet
* Provincial: Mary Ellen Smith, British Columbia
* Federal: Ellen Fairclough, 1957, Progressive Conservative

First female Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons: Jeanne Sauvé, 1980-1984

First female federal Justice Minister (Attorney General): Kim Campbell (Progressive Conservative)

First female Defence Minister: Kim Campbell, (Progressive Conservative)

First female Speaker of the House
* Nancy Hodges Alberta Liberal, MLA 1941-1953, made speaker of BC legislature in Dec 1949.

First female senator: Cairine Wilson, 1930

First female Governor General of Canada: Jeanne Sauvé, (1984-1990)

First female Premiers
# Rita Johnston, BC, 1991 (Social Credit)
# Nellie Cournoyea, Northwest Territories, 1991-1995, (non-partisan consensus government)
# Catherine Callbeck, PEI, 1993-1996, (first elected female Premier) (Liberal)
# Pat Duncan, Yukon, 2000-2002, (Liberal)

First female MLAs elected in British Columbia: Mary Ellen Smith, Liberal MLA 1918-1928, elected to replace her late husband

First female MLA elected in Alberta: Louise McKinney, she was also the first woman elected anywhere in the British Empire, 1917-1921 Alberta Legislature for the Non Partisan League, a left-wing prohibition and social welfare party.

First female MLA elected in Saskatchewan: Sarah Ramsland, Saskatchewan Liberal - Pelly 1919 by-election - 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 female MLA elected in Manitoba: Edith McTavish Rogers, Manitoba Liberal MLA 1920-1932

First female MPPs elected in Ontario:
* Agnes Macphail and Rae Luckock, CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party MPPs for York East 1943-1945, 1948-1951 and for Bracondale 1943-1945 respectively

First female MNA elected 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 female MLA elected in New Brunswick: Brenda Robertson, New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA, 1967-1984

First female candidate in P.E.I.: Hilda Ramsay, P.E.I. CCF candidate in 1951 [http://www.ndppei.ca/]

First female MLA elected in P.E.I.: Jean Canfield, PEI Liberal MLA 1970-1979

First female MHA elected in Newfoundland & Labrador (Pre-Confederation): Helena Squires, MHA 1930-1932

First female MLA elected in Nova Scotia: Gladys Porter, Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MLA 1960-1967

First female MLA elected in Yukon: G. Jean Gordon, Non-Affiliated, MLA 1967-1970

First female MLA elected in Northwest Territories
Lena Pedersen (Pederson) in 1970 to 1975

First female MLA elected in Nunavut: Manitok Thompson, Independent, 1999-2003

First female elected in a municipal election: Mary Teresa Sullivan, Halifax City Council, 1936+

First female mayor: Barbara Hanley, Webbwood, Ontario (1936-1944)

First female mayor of a city: Charlotte Whitton, Ottawa (1951-1956, 1960-1964)

Female presidents of major political parties
# Agnes Macphail - Founding President of the Ontario CCF 1932-34
# Gladys Strum - President of Saskatchewan CCF 1944-195?

Aboriginal Canadians

First Aboriginal Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada: Frank Arthur Calder, BC New Democratic Party, 1949-1975 (first treaty native elected anywhere in Canada)

First Aboriginal Canadian elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Aboriginal Canadian MP): Leonard Marchand, Kamloops-Cariboo, Liberal Party, 1968-1974

First Aboriginal Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada: Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Liberal Party of Canada Western Arctic, 1988-2006

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in British Columbia: Frank Arthur Calder, BC New Democratic Party, 1949-1975* (first treaty native elected anywhere in Canada)

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Alberta: Mike Cardinal, Alberta Progressive Conservatives MLA Athabasca-Redwater 1989-present

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Saskatchewan: Lawrence Riel Yew Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA Cumberland, 1982-1986 and second was Keith Goulet MLA, Cumberland, 1986-2003

First Aboriginal Woman MLA elected in Saskatchewan: Joan Beatty, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA for Cumberland, 2003 to present

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Manitoba: Elijah Harper, Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Rupertsland, 1981-1992

First Aboriginal Canadian MPP elected in Ontario: Peter John North Ontario New Democratic Party) MPP 1990-1993, Independent MPP 1993-1999

First Aboriginal Canadian MNA elected in Quebec: Ludger Bastien Quebec Conservative Party MLA for Chauveau 1924-1927

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in New Brunswick: T. J. Burke, NB Liberal MLA for Fredericton-Nashwaaksis 2006-present

First Aboriginal Canadian MHA elected in Newfoundland & Labrador: Wally Andersen Newfoundland & Labrador Liberal MHA Torngat Mountains, 1996-present

First Aboriginal Canadian MLA elected in Yukon

First Metis Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada: Louis Riel, Independent, MP Provencher, Manitoba 1873+

First Inuk Canadian elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Inuk Canadian MP): Peter Ittinuar, New Democratic Party, a pilot from the North West Territories, MP Nunatsiaq, NWT 1979- ("Inuk" (plural: Inuit) are the people formerly known as "Eskimos")

First Inuk elected in southern Canada: George Hickes (politician) Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Point Douglas, 1990 - present

First Inuk speaker of a legislature: George Hickes (politician) Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Speaker 1999 - present

African-Canadians

Early African-Canadians elected in Canada
# Burr Plato, councillor for Niagara Falls, 1886-1901
# William Hubbard, Alderman for Toronto 1893-1932(Note: the first African-Canadian elected in Canada is unknown, and it was probably before Canada was a country.)

First African-Canadian candidate to run for the House of Commons: Bill White - Spadina, CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party) 1949

First African-Canadian elected in Canada: Leonard Braithwaite, Etobicoke—York, Ontario Liberals MPP, 1963-1975

First African-Canadian leader of a political party (federally or provincially):
*Stuart Parker - Leader of the B.C. Green Party 1993-2000 (and nephew of Harry Jerome)

First African-Canadian candidate to run for the Ontario Legislature
# Stanley G. Grizzle ran for the Ontario CCF (the forerunner to the Ontario New Democratic Party) in 1959 provincial election in York East (East York).
# Jack White ran for the Ontario NDP in 1963 provincial election in Davenport and Leonard Braithwaite, Ontario Liberals in Etobicoke—York in 1963.

First African-Canadian woman elected in Canada: Rosemary Brown Vancouver—Burrard, Burnaby—Edmonds, BC New Democratic Party MP 1972-1986

First African-Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Black MP): Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander - Hamilton West, Progressive Conservative MP 1968-1984

First African-Canadian Canadian women elected to the House of Commons (first Black female MPs)
*Jean Augustine, Etobicoke Lakeshore, Liberal MP, 1993 - 2006,
*Hedy Fry, Vancouver Centre, Liberal MP, 1993 - present

First African-Canadian MLAs in British Columbia: Emery Barnes, BC New Democratic Party MLA Vancouver Burrard 1972-1996 and Rosemary Brown, Vancouver Burrard, BC New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1986

First African-Canadian female MLA in British Columbia: Rosemary Brown, Vancouver Burrard, BC New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1986

First African-Canadian MLA in Alberta: George Rogers, Alberta Progressive Conservative MLA Leduc-Beaumont-Devon 2004-present

First African-Canadian MPP in Ontario: Leonard Braithwaite, Etobicoke-York, Ontario Liberal MPP 1963-1975

First African-Canadian female MPP in Ontario: Zanana Akande, St-Andrew's-St. Patrick's, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994

First African-Canadian MNA in Quebec: Jean Alfred, Papineau, Parti Québécois MNA 1976-1981

First African-Canadian Female MNA in Quebec: Yolande James, Nelligan, Liberal MNA 2003-present

First African-Canadian MLA in Nova Scotia: Wayne Adams, Nova Scotia Liberal MLA for Preston 1993-1998

First African-Canadian female MLA in Nova Scotia: Yvonne Atwell, Nova Scotia New Democratic Party MLA for Preston 1998-1999

African-Canadian Speakers of Legislatures in Canada
# Emery Barnes, BC New Democratic Party MLA 1972-1996, Speaker in BC Legislature 1993 to 1996 when he retired.
# Alvin Curling, Ontario Liberal MPP 1985-2005, Speaker 2003-2005

First African-Canadian woman in Cabinet: Zanana Akande, St-Andrew's-St. Patrick's, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990-1994

First African-Canadian Governor General of Canada: Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada, 2005-present

First African-Canadian Lieutenant Governor: Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander Lt. Governor of Ontario, 1985-1991

First African-Canadian Senator: Anne Cools, Liberal Senator 1983-2004, Conservative, 2004+

First African-Canadian female mayor: Daurene Lewis - 1984

Arab Canadians

First Arab Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Arab Canadian MP): Pierre De Bane, 1968-1984, Liberal MP Matane, Quebec (Palestinian)

First Arab Canadian in Cabinet
*Pierre De Bane, 1968-1984, Liberal MP Matane, Que. (Palestinian)

First Arab Canadian leaders of political parties
# Fonse Faour Newfoundland New Democratic Party leader, 1980-1981
# Hassan Husseini Communist Party of Ontario, 1998-2001
# Lorraine Michael Newfoundland New Democratic Party leader 2006-present

First Arab Canadian Senator: Mac Harb, Liberal Senator 2004 - present

Armenian Canadians

First Armenian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Armenian Canadian MP)
*Sarkis Assadourian Liberal MP (Syrian Armenian), Don Valley North, 1993-1997 & Brampton Centre, 1997-2004

Chinese Canadians

First Chinese Canadian candidate in Canada: Catherine Emily Ling, 1941 BC provincial election for the Emancipation Party in Vancouver Point Grey

First Chinese Canadian elected in Canada: Douglas Jung, Vancouver Centre, Progressive Conservative MP, 1957-1962

First person of Chinese descent in Canada to be elected in a municipal election: George Ho Lem

First Chinese Canadian women elected in Canada: Jenny Kwan, BC New Democratic Party MLA, and Ida Chong, BC Liberal MLA, both elected in 1996 BC provincial election

First Chinese-Canadian female MP: Sophia Leung, Vancouver Kingsway Liberal MP 1997-2004

First Chinese Canadian leader of a political party (federally or provincially)
#Arthur Lee, BC Liberal leader, 1984-1987 (*The BC Liberals had no seats)
#Victor Lau, Saskatchewan Green Party Leader 2006 (interim?)

First Chinese-Canadian in Cabinet: Bob Wong, 1987 Ontario Liberal, became Minister of Energy

First Chinese Canadian Senator: Vivienne Poy

First Chinese Canadian Governor General of Canada: Adrienne Clarkson Governor General of Canada, 1999-2005

First Chinese Canadian Lieutenant Governors
# David Lam, British Columbia Lieutenant Governor 1988-1995
# Norman Kwong, current Lieutenant Governor of Alberta

First Chinese Canadian mayor in Canada:
*Peter Wing, Mayor of Kamloops, first elected 1966, served for three terms

Croatian Canadians

First Croatian Canadian elected to a Legislature: Dave Stupich, British Columbia MLA, Nanaimo and the Islands, 1963-1969, Nanaimo 1972-1988

First Croatian-born Canadian elected to a Legislature: John Sola, Ontario Liberal MPP, Missisauga East, 1987-1993 (expelled)

First Croatian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Croatian Canadian MP): Dave Stupich, New Democratic Party MP, Nanaimo—Cowichan, 1988-1993

First Croatian-born Canadian elected to the House of Commons: Janko Peric, Liberal MP, Cambridge, 1993-2004

Czech Canadians

First Czech Canadian MP
*Otto Jelinek PC MP 1972-1979 High Park-Humber Valley, 1979-1993 Halton

Filipino Canadians

First Filipino elected in Canada: Conrad Santos, Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-present

First Filipino Canadian Woman elected in Canada: Flor Marcelino, Manitoba NDP MLA Wellington 2007-present

First Filipino Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Filipino Canadian MP): Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, Winnipeg North, Liberal MP, 1988-2004

First Filipino Canadian elected in Manitoba: Conrad Santos, Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA Burrows 1981-1988, Broadway 1990-1999, Wellington 1999-present

First Filipino Canadian Woman elected in Manitoba: Flor Marcelino, Manitoba NDP MLA Wellington 2007-present

First Filipino Canadian appointed to the Federal Cabinet: Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)(2001-2002), Minister of Veterans Affairs(2002-2003), Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development)(2002-2003), Minister with political responsibility for Manitoba (2002-2003), Minister of Western Economic Diversification(2003-2004)

First Filipino Canadian to run for the leadership of a major party: Conrad Santos, Manitoba New Democratic Party leadership 1988

Greek Canadians

First Greek elected in Canada: George Samis, Ontario New Democratic Party MP 1974 by-election - 1985, Cornwall

First Greek Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Greek Canadian MP): Gus Mitges, Progressive Conservative MP, Grey—Simcoe 1972-1993

First Greek Canadian Senator
*Philippe Deane Gigantès, Liberal Senator appointed in 1984 [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Sen]

Hungarian Canadians

First Hungarian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Hungarian Canadian MP): Tom Wappel, Liberal MP, Scarborough West 1988-2000; Scarborough Southwest 2000-present

First Hungarian-born Canadian elected to the House of Commons: Andrew Telegdi, Liberal MP Waterloo, 1993-present

Iranian Canadians

First Iranian Canadian elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (1st Iranian Canadian Provincial MPP)
*Reza Moridi, Liberal MPP, Richmond Hill, 2007-present

Italian Canadians

First Italian Canadian Elected to the Federal Legislature (1st Italian Canadian MP)
*Hubert Badanai Liberal MP Fort WIlliam 1958-1968 [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]

First Italian Canadian Cabinet Minister (Federal)
*Monique Bégin, 1976.09.14 Appointed Minister of National Revenue [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Min]

First Italian Canadian Senator
*Pietro Rizzuto, Liberal Senator appointed in 1976 [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Sen]

First Italian Canadian to Run for the Leadership of a Major Party (Federally or Provincially) -
# John Nunziata - Federal Liberal Leadership race 1990
# Tony Silipo - Ontario NDP leadership race 1996
# Joseph Cordiano - Ontario Liberal leadership race 1996
# Maurizio Bevilacqua - Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006
# Joe Volpe - Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006

*Note - a list of Italian Canadian politicians are too numerous to list

Japanese Canadians

First Japanese Canadian candidate in Canada: Joan Kabayama, Grenville—Carleton New Democratic Party 1972 federal election

First Japanese Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Japanese Canadian MP): Bev Oda, Conservative MP, Clarington—Scugog—Uxbridge, 2004-present

Jewish Canadians

Extended full political rights: 1831, in Lower Canada (Quebec)

First Jewish Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada: Ezekiel Hart, elected in Lower Canada in the by-election of April 11, 1807

First Jewish Canadian cabinet minister (provincial or federal): David Croll, Ontario Liberal, Ontario Cabinet of Premier Mitchell Hepburn, 1934-1937

First Jewish Canadian federal cabinet minister: Herb Gray, Liberal, first appointed in 1969 as Minister without portfolio by Pierre Trudeau (Liberal)

First Jewish Canadians elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Jewish Canadian MP)
# Henry Nathan, Liberal MP Victoria 1872-1874
# Abraham Albert Heaps, CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party) MP, Winnipeg North 1935-1940
# Fred Rose, Labour Progressive (Communist) MP Cartier, Quebec 1943-1947

First Jewish leader of a federal party: David Lewis, New Democratic Party 1971-1975

First Jewish Premier: Dave Barrett, BC New Democratic Party Premier 1972-1975

First Jewish Senator: David Croll, Liberal, appointed 1955.

First Jewish Leaders of provincial parties
# Dave Barrett, BC New Democratic Party, 1969-May 20, 1984
# Stephen Lewis, Ontario New Democratic Party, 1970-1978
# Izzy Asper, Manitoba Liberal, 1970-75
# Sidney Spivak, Manitoba Progressive Conservatives, 1971 to 1975
# Stuart Smith, Ontario Liberal 1976-1982
# Larry Grossman, Ontario Progressive Conservatives, November 22, 1985 - September 10, 1987

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

Korean Canadians

First Korean Canadian candidates in Canada
# Dr. David Kho, Ontario New Democratic Party, 1987 provincial election Scarborough—Agincourt
# Raymond Cho, New Democratic Party, 1988 federal election, Scarborough—Rogue River

First Korean-Canadian elected to a legislature: Sandy Lee, North West Territories

Latvian Canadians

First Latvian Canadian MP: Sarmite Bulte, Liberal MP Parkdale—High Park, 1997-2006

Macedonian Canadians

First Macedonian Canadian MP
*Lui Temelkovski - Liberal MP Oak Ridges-Markham 2006-present [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]

Maltese Canadians

First Maltese Canadian MP
*Sue Barnes - Liberal MP London West 1993-present [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]

Polish Canadians

First Polish Canadians elected to the House of Commons (first Polish Canadian MPs)
# Alexandre Edouard Kierzkowski, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Liberal MP, 1867-1872
# Fred Rose, Labour Progressive (Communist) MP 1943-1947, from Cartier, Quebec

Portuguese Canadians

First Portuguese Canadian elected to the House of Commons
# John Rodriguez, Nickel Belt, New Democratic Party MP, 1974-1980, 1984-1993 (Guyanese Portuguese) [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc]

lovak Canadians

First Slovak Canadian to run for the leadership of a major party: Peter Kormos, Ontario New Democratic Party leadership 1996

outh Asians

*Note: South Asians include those of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese or Bangladeshi ancestry.

First South Asian Canadian candidate in Canada: Hardial Bains, Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada - Eglinton - 1972 federal election

First South Asian elected in Canada: Moe Sihota, BC New Democratic Party MLA, Esquimalt-Port Renfrew 1986-1991, Esquimalt-Metchosin, 1991-2001

First South Asian Provincial Premier: Ujjal Dosanjh, BC New Democratic Party February 24, 2000 to June 5, 2001 (Punjabi)

First South Asian leaders of a major political party: Raj Pannu, Alberta New Democratic Party February 2, 2000 -2004 (MLA 1997 - present) (Punjabi) Note: Hardial Bains was the first South Asian Canadian to lead a political party. He founded and led the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada from 1970-1997

First South Asian female MPs: Yasmin Ratansi, Don Valley East, Liberal MP 2004+ (Ismaili, Muslim), Nina Grewal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, Conservative MP 2004+ (India, Sikh) and Ruby Dhalla, Brampton—Springdale—Malton, Liberal MP 2004+ (India, Sikh)(Yasmin Ratansi is the first Muslim woman elected in Canada, and Nina Grewal and Ruby Dhalla are the first Punjabi women elected in Canada)

First South Asian MLA elected in BC: Moe Sihota, BC 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, Manitoba Liberal MLA Kildonan 1988-1990

First South Asian MPP elected in Ontario: Murad Velshi, Ontario Liberal MPP Don Mills 1987-1990

First South Asian MLA elected in Nova Scotia: Leonard Preyra Nova Scotia NDP MLA Halifax Citadel 2006-present

First South Asian School Board Trustee elected in Canada: Neethan Shan York Region District School Board 2006-present

South Asian Canadian Senators
*Mobina Jaffer, Liberal Senator, 2001-present

South Asian presidents, vice presidents and secretaries of political parties
*Sav Dhaliwal - former Vice President of the BC NDP
*Raj Sharan - Former president of the Newfoundland & Labrador Newfoundland & Labrador New Democratic Party

Tamil Canadians

First Tamil-Canadian candidate to run for the House of Commons:
*Joseph Thevarkunnel, NDP candidate in 2000 federal election for Oak Ridges

First Tamil-Canadian candidate to run in Ontario
*Chandran Mylvaganam, NDP Candidate in 1993 by-election in Don Mills

First Tamil-Canadian elected in Canada
*Logan Kanapathi, elected Councillor for Ward 7 in Markham, Ontario in 2006
*Neethan Shan, elected York School Board Trustee for Markham Wards 7 & 8

Ukrainian Canadians

First Ukrainian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Ukrainian Canadian MP): Michael Luchkovich United Farmers/CCF MP from Vegreville, Alberta, 1926-1935

First Ukrainian Canadian leader of a major political party: Roy Romanow, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leader 1987-2001

First Ukrainian Premier: Roy Romanow, Premier of Saskatchewan 1990-2001

First Ukrainian Canadian Governor General of Canada: Ray Hnatyshyn

Vietnamese Canadians

First Vietnamese Canadian MP : Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac, Bloc MP, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot 2007-present

People with disabilities

First hearing-impaired (deaf) person elected in Canada: Gary Malkowski Ontario New Democratic Party MPP York East (East York) 1990-1995

First quadriplegic person elected in Canada: Percy Wickman Alberta Liberal MLA Edmonton-Whitemud

First quadriplegic person elected to the House of Commons: Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James, Manitoba, 2004 - present

First quadriplegic mayor : Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, November 2005 - present

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender

First openly-gay candidates in Canada
# Robert Douglas Cook, 1979 BC provincial election for GATE (Gay Alliance Toward Equality) Party in West Vancouver-Howe Sound
# George Hislop, 1981 Ontario provincial election, Independent candidate in St. George. (Also ran in 1981 Toronto municipal election)

First openly-gay MP: Svend Robinson, New Democratic Party, elected in 1979, came out in 1988

First MP elected as an openly-gay candidate to a first term: Bill Siksay New Democratic Party MP for Burnaby—Douglas elected in 2004

First gays/lesbians to run for leadership of a major party
# Svend Robinson, 1995 New Democratic Party leadership election -- came in first on first ballot, but withdrew
# Marcel Hatch, New Democratic Party 2001 leadership challenger
# Scott Brison, Progressive Conservative leadership election, 2003 -- came in third
# Scott Brison, Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, 2006

First openly-gay leaders of political parties
# Chris Lea, Green Party of Canada, 1990 - 1996
# Allison Brewer, New Brunswick New Democratic Party, Sept 25, 2005 - 2006
# André Boisclair, Parti Québécois, Nov 15, 2005 - 2007

First openly gay/lesbian senators
# Laurier Lapierre, Liberal
# Nancy Ruth (formerly Nancy Jackman) PC, first lesbian senator, appointed in 2006, came out in 1990(?)

First openly-gay mayor : Glen Murray - former Mayor of Winnipeg

ee also

*Female candidates in Canadian elections Hispanic Canadians

November,10th/2002-Cesar Palacio(Davenport)Toronto,Ontario becomes the first Hispanic elected to Toronto city councill

External links

* [http://stillcounting.athabascau.ca/table2-3.php Still Counting : Women in Canadian Politics : List of Women of Diversity in Canadian Politics]
* [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/women/002026-800-e.html#b Biographies of Canadian Women Politicians]
* [http://www.collectionscanada.ca/2/12/ Celebrating Women's Achievements", First of Women in Politics]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/House/Asp/WomenElect.asp?lang=E&Hist=Y Parliament of Canada, % of Women Candidates by Party]
* [http://www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/whm/pioneers/n_hodges.htm Women in BC Politics]
* [http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/LegLibrary/library/libwomen.htm Legislature of Saskatchewan, Women in Politics in Saskatchewan]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/House/mpsbo.asp?lang=E&Hist=N Parliament of Canada, List of current Members of Parliament born outside Canada]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=cf&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc Parliament of Canada, List of past and present Members of Parliament born outside Canada]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=ef&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc Parliament of Canada, List of ethnic origins of MPs]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Aboriginal.asp?Language=E&Hist=N&leg=H Parliament of Canada, List of current Members of the House of Commons of Inuit, Métis or First Nation Origin]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/Trivia/trivia.asp?lang=E&cat=af&hea=firsts&subcat=Hoc Parliament of Canada, List of past & present Members of the House of Commons of Inuit, Métis or First Nation Origin]
* [http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume7/countries Gov. of Canada, Collections Canada ; Contributions of Various Immigrant Communities to Canada]
* [http://www.qesn.meq.gouv.qc.ca/mpages/unit8/u8p167.htm Black Canadian History]
* [http://collections.ic.gc.ca/obho/people/ Gov. of Canada Collections Canada website ; Biographies of Famous Black Canadians, including many Black Canadian Politicians]
* [http://www.yorku.ca/aconline/culture/politicians.html York University; Black Politicians in Canada]