Unionest Party

Unionest Party

The Unionest Party was a provincial political party in Saskatchewan, Canada, in the early 1980s, that advocated union between the four western provinces of Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) and the United States.

The party’s name was a contraction of ‘best union’.

The party was founded in March 1980 by Dick Collver, a former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan, who resigned from the PC caucus when he announced the formation of his new party.

A few days later, another PC MLA, Dennis Ham, also left the PC caucus to join Collver. (Ham was the brother of Lynda Haverstock, who later became the leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party and later lieutenant-governor.)

The Unionest Party was formed at a time when several western separatist parties (such as the Western Canada Concept) were being formed and attracting considerable attention and support because of dissatisfaction with the federal Liberal government.

Collver and Ham formed the legislative caucus of the Unionest Party. The Unionests then qualified as the official third party under the legislative act then in existence. This entitled the Unionests to special perquisites: Collver was to receive an additional $27,000 for office staff expense and an additional $11,000 in extra allowance as Leader of the Third Party. Ham was to receive an additional $16,000 for office expenses and $2,700 in an extra allowance.

Collver and Ham’s new party was met with derision, and there was great concern that two “crack pots” were able to obtain funding from the legislative assembly’s budget for their "folly".

The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party government of the day introduced and passed retroactive legislation entitled to restrict third party status to a party with at least two sitting members affiliated with a political party that was registered under the "Election Act" on the day of the last general election.

Collver claimed this law discriminated against the Unionests on the basis of their political beliefs and took the government to court, but the provincial Court of Appeal disagreed.

The Unionest Party soon fizzled, and did not field candidates in the next general election. Collver retired to his ranch in Arizona.

ee also

*List of Canadian political parties
*Secessionist movements of Canada


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Unionist Party — The name Unionist Party could refer to:*Canada: **Unionist Party (Canada) of 1917 1920 **Unionest Party in Saskatchewan in the 1980s*Guatemala: **Unionist Party (Guatemala)*India ** Unionist Party (Punjab), the major party from the 20s till about …   Wikipedia

  • Saskatchewan New Democratic Party — Active provincial party Leader John Nilson (acting) …   Wikipedia

  • Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan — Active provincial party Leader Richard Swenson President Lori Is …   Wikipedia

  • Green Party of Saskatchewan — Active provincial party Leader Victor Lau …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Collver — MLA Leader of the Opposition In office 1978–1979 Preceded by Ted Malone Succeeded by Eric Berntson …   Wikipedia

  • List of historical autonomist and secessionist movements — This is a list of historical autonomist and secessionist movements around the world. They may or may not have succeeded in their goal.For currently active movements, please see: List of active autonomist and secessionist movements. Africa Algeria …   Wikipedia

  • Nipawin (provincial electoral district) — Coordinates: 53°35′N 104°20′W / 53.583°N 104.333°W / 53.583; 104.333 Nipawin was a …   Wikipedia

  • List of political parties in Saskatchewan — Parties represented in the Legislative Assembly= * Saskatchewan Party * New Democratic Party of SaskatchewanOther registered parties* Green Party of Saskatchewan * Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan * Saskatchewan Democratic Action… …   Wikipedia

  • Secessionist movements of Canada — Throughout the history of Canada, there have been movements seeking secession from Canada.Movements seeking independence from CanadaQuebecThe Quebec sovereignty movement seeks independence from Canada for the province of Quebec. This movement… …   Wikipedia

  • Annexationist movements of Canada — gradually led to its abandonment in the U.S.Nevertheless, at various times annexationist movements in Canada have campaigned in favour of U.S. annexation of parts or all of Canada. Historical studies have focused on numerous small scale movements …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”