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List of electoral firsts in Canada

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

This list includes:

Women

  • First female elected in Canada:
  • Maria Grant is the first woman in Canada to be elected to any office, in 1895. She served six years on the Victoria School Board and was presented to the future George V as the only woman elected as a school trustee in Canada.
  • First female candidate in provincial election in Canada:
  • Margaret Haile ran as a candidate of the Canadian Socialist League in Toronto North for the 1902 Ontario provincial election, becoming the first woman ever to stand in a provincial election. She herself was not allowed to vote in the election.
  • First woman elected to a Canadian government body (first woman in Canada elected at the federal, provincial or municipal government levels):
  • Hannah Gale, Alderman in Calgary, 1917. (This was the first city election in Canada where a proportional representation electoral system (Single transferable voting) was used.)
  • First woman elected to a legislature in Canada:
  • Louise McKinney, first woman elected to a legislature anywhere in the British Empire, member 1917–1921 of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the Non Partisan League, a left-wing prohibitionist socialist party. (Roberta MacAdams, a member of the Canadian Army Medical Corps, was also elected in the 1917 Alberta general election by Albertans serving in the First World War. By the time the armed forces election was held, McKinney was already in the legislative assembly.)

First women in cabinet

(Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan have not yet had a female premier.)

  • First female deputy premier in:
  • British Columbia: Grace McCarthy
  • 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 Prohibitionist socialist 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 Prince Edward Island:
  • Hilda Ramsay, Prince Edward Island CCF candidate in 1951
  • First female MLA elected in Prince Edward Island:
  • Jean Canfield, Prince Edward Island Liberal MLA 1970–1979
  • First female MHA elected in Newfoundland and 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 (Nunavut was created from the Northwest Territories in 1999, so Thompson served in its first legislature.)
  • First female elected in a Nova Scotia municipal election:
  • Mary Teresa Sullivan, Halifax City Council, 1936+
  • First female elected in an Ontario municipal election:
  • Constance Hamilton, Toronto City Council, 1920–21
  • First female mayor, appointed:
  • Violet Barss, Delia, Alberta (1920–1922)
  • First female mayor, elected:
  • Barbara Hanley, Webbwood, Ontario (1936–1944)
  • First female mayor of a city:
  • Charlotte Whitton, Ottawa (1951–1956, 1960–1964)
  • First female mayor of:
  • Kentville, Nova Scotia: Gladys Porter (1946–1960)
  • Ottawa, Ontario: Charlotte Whitton (1951–1956, 1960–1964)
  • Prince Rupert, British Columbia: Nora Arnold (1947–1950)
  • Edmonton, Alberta: Jan Reimer (1989–1995)
  • First female city councillor in:
  • Vancouver: Helena Gutteridge in 1937.
  • First female judge in
  • British Columbia: Helen Gregory MacGill in 1917
  • First female chief justice in:
  • British Columbia: Beverley McLachlin in 1988
  • Canada: Beverley McLachlin in 2000
  • Female presidents of major political parties
  • Agnes Macphail, Founding President of the Ontario CCF 1932–34
  • Gladys Strum, President of Saskatchewan CCF 1944-195?
  • First female Lieutenant Governors
  • Pauline Mills McGibbon, 22nd Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario 1974–1980
  • Pearl McGonigal, 19th Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba 1981–1986
  • Helen Hunley, 12th Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta 1985–1991
  • Sylvia Fedoruk, 17th Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan 1988–1994
  • Marion Reid, 24th Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island 1990–1995
  • Margaret McCain, 27th Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick 1994–1997
  • Lise Thibault, 27th Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec 1997–2007
  • Myra Freeman, 29th Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia 2000–2006
  • Iona Campagnolo, 27th Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia 2001–2007
  • Judy Foote, 14th Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, taking office in 2018
  • First female Commissioners of Canadian territories
  • Ione Christensen, 10th Commissioner of Yukon 1979
  • Helen Maksagak, 13th Commissioner of the Northwest Territories 1995–1999
  • Helen Maksagak, 1st Commissioner of Nunavut 1999–2000

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 paraplegic person elected in Alberta:
  • Percy Wickman Alberta Liberal Party MLA Edmonton-Whitemud (1989–1993), Edmonton-Rutherford (1993–2001)
  • First quadriplegic person elected to a Canadian legislature:
  • Doug Mowat British Columbia Social Credit MLA Vancouver-Little Mountain 1983–1991
  • First quadriplegic person elected to the House of Commons:
  • Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James, Manitoba, 2004–2015
  • First quadriplegic mayor :
  • Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, November 2005, December 2008
  • First legally blind person elected to the House of Commons:
  • J. Trevor Morgan, Progressive Conservative, St. Catharines, Ontario, 1972–1974

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender

Indigenous people in Canada

  • Year that status Indians were granted the right to vote in federal elections: 1960.
  • Year that status Indians were granted the right to vote in Quebec provincial elections: 1969
  • First Indigenous person elected to a legislature in Canada:
  • Solomon White, Ontario Conservative Party, 1878–1886 and 1890–1894 (first Native elected anywhere in Canada)
  • First Indigenous person appointed to Canadian Senate (first Treaty Indian named a senator in Canada):
  • James Gladstone of Alberta, 1958
  • First Indigenous person elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Indigenous MP):
  • Leonard Marchand, Kamloops-Cariboo (British Columbia), Liberal Party, 1968–1979, as well as first to serve as a member of cabinet (1976)
  • First Indigenous woman elected to the Parliament of Canada:
  • Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Liberal Party of Canada, Western Arctic, 1988–2006
  • First Indigenous woman MLA elected in British Columbia:
  • Melanie Mark, British Columbia New Democratic Party MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, 2016–Present
  • First Indigenous MLA elected in Alberta:
  • Mike Cardinal, Alberta Progressive Conservatives MLA Athabasca-Redwater 1989–2008
  • First Indigenous 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 Indigenous woman MLA elected in Saskatchewan:
  • Joan Beatty, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLA for Cumberland, 2003 to 2009
  • First Indigenous MLA elected in Manitoba
  • Pascal Breland, Independent, 1870-1874
  • First Indigenous woman MLA elected in Manitoba:
  • Edith Rogers, Liberal 1920–1932
  • First First Nations MLA electedin Manitoba:
  • Ken Dillen, NDP 1973-1977
  • First Indigenous MPP elected in Ontario:
  • Solomon White, Ontario Conservative Party, 1878–1886 and 1890–1894
  • First Indigenous MNA elected in Quebec:
  • Ludger Bastien, Quebec Conservative Party MLA for Québec-Comté 1924–1927
  • First Indigenous MLA elected in New Brunswick:
  • T. J. Burke, NB Liberal MLA for Fredericton-Nashwaaksis 2006–2010
  • First Indigenous MHA elected in Newfoundland and Labrador:
  • Kevin Aylward Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MHA St. George's-Stephenville East, 1985–2003
  • First Indigenous MLA elected in Yukon
  • Grafton Njootli, Progressive Conservative 1978–1982
  • First Indigenous woman elected MLA in Yukon:
  • Kathie Nukon, Progressive Conservative 1982-1986, and
  • Margaret Commodore, NDP, 1982-1996 - also first First Nations woman elected to a cabinet position (1985) in Canada
  • First Indigenous premier:
  • Richard Nerysoo, Northwest Territories, 1984–1985 (consensus government)
  • Paul Okalik, Nunavut, 1999–2008 (consensus government)
  • Wab Kinew, Manitoba, 2023–present
  • First Indigenous speaker of a legislature:
  • Richard Nerysoo, Northwest Territories, 1989–1991
  • First Indigenous leader of an official party in the Manitoba legislature:
  • Wab Kinew, Manitoba New Democratic Party, 2017–Present
  • First Indigenous leader of an official party in the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature:
  • Kevin Aylward, Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011
  • First Métis elected to the House of Commons:
  • Pierre Delorme, Conservative, MP Provencher, Manitoba 1871–1872
  • First Métis MHA elected in Newfoundland and Labrador:
  • Michael S. Martin, New Labrador, MHA Labrador South, 1972–1975
  • First Métis Leader of an official party in the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature:
  • Yvonne Jones, Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011
  • First Inuk elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first Inuk MP):
  • Peter Ittinuar, New Democratic Party, MP Nunatsiaq, NWT 1979–1984
  • First Inuk woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons (first female Inuk MP):
  • Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal, MP Nunavut, 1997–2008
  • First Inuk legislator elected in Canada:
  • Simonie Michael, member of the Northwest Territories Legislative Council, Eastern Arctic, 1966–1970
  • First Inuk MLA elected in Manitoba:
  • George Hickes, Manitoba New Democratic Party MLA, Point Douglas, 1990–2011
  • First Inuk MHA elected in Newfoundland and Labrador:
  • William Andersen III, Liberal MHA Torngat Mountains, 1993–1996
  • First Inuk Premier:
  • Nellie Cournoyea, Northwest Territories, 1991–1995, (consensus government)
  • First Inuk speaker of a legislature:
  • Levi Barnabas, Nunavut consensus government, Speaker 1999–2000
  • First Inuk appointed to the federal cabinet:
  • Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative Party of Canada, Minister of Health, 2008.
  • First Indigenous person elected mayor in British Columbia:
  • Allen Courtoreille, Chetwynd, British Columbia, October 20, 2018.

Acadians

Arab Canadians

  • First Arab Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Arab Canadian MP):
  • Pierre de Bané, MP Matane, Quebec from 1968 to 1984 (Palestinian)
  • First female Arab Canadian elected to the House of Commons:
  • Maria Mourani, MP for Ahuntsic from 2006 to 2015 (Lebanese)
  • First Arab Canadian Premier:
  • Joe Ghiz Prince Edward Island 1986 – 25 January 1993
  • First Arab Canadian in Cabinet
  • Pierre de Bané, Minister of Supply and Services 1978–1979 (Palestinian)
  • First Arab Canadian leaders of political parties
  • Fonse Faour, Newfoundland New Democratic Party leader, 1980–1981
  • Joe Ghiz, Prince Edward Island Liberal Party, 1981–1993
  • Hassan Husseini, Communist Party of Ontario, 1998–2001
  • Lorraine Michael, Newfoundland New Democratic Party leader 2006–2015
  • First Arab Canadian Senator:
  • Mac Harb, Liberal Senator 2003–2013

Armenian Canadians

Black Canadians

  • Earliest Black Canadians elected in Canada:
  • Wilson Ruffin Abbott, Elected to Toronto city council in 1840.
  • Abraham D. Shadd, Councillor of Raleigh Township (from 1858)
  • Abner Hunt Francis, Elected as councillor of Victoria in 1865, however, he resigned after being sworn in since he was not listed on the 1863 Assessment Role.
  • Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, Councillor of Victoria (1867–1869)
  • John Waters, Town Councilor, Town of Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake), 1874–1876, 1877–1880
  • James W. Douglas, Victoria City, British Columbia MLA, 1875–1878 (his paternal grandmother was part Black. As well, his mother was Cree.)
  • Burr Plato, town council member, Town of Niagara Falls (from 1886);
  • William Hubbard, City of Toronto city council member (from 1894) and a member of the Board of Control. To this day, by virtue of his being on the citywide elected Board of Control, the only visible minority ever elected citywide across Toronto.
  • First Black MLA elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba:
  • George Waldron Prout, Liberal representative for the constituency of Kildonan-St. Andrews, 1916-1920
  • First Black candidate to run for the House of Commons:
  • Bill White, Spadina, CCF (the forerunner to the New Democratic Party) 1949
  • First Black Canadian elected to the House of Commons:
  • Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander, Hamilton West, Progressive Conservative MP 1968–1984
  • First Black leader of a federal political party:
  • Vivian Barbot, Interim leader of the Bloc Québécois, 2011
  • First Black leader of a provincial political party:
  • Stuart Parker, Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia, 1993–2000
  • First Black candidate to run for the Ontario Legislature:
  • Stanley G. Grizzle, York East, ran for the Ontario CCF (the forerunner to the Ontario New Democratic Party) in the 1959 provincial general election.
  • First Black Canadian elected to a Provincial Legislature in Canada:
  • James W. Douglas, Victoria City, British Columbia MLA, 1875–1878
  • First Black woman elected to municipal council:
  • Virnetta Anderson, city councillor in Calgary from 1974 to 1977
  • First Black woman elected in Canada:
  • Rosemary Brown Vancouver-Burrard, Burnaby-Edmonds, British Columbia New Democratic Party MLA 1972–1986
  • First Black MNA in Quebec:
  • Jean Alfred, Papineau, Parti Québécois MNA 1976–1981
  • First Black Canadian and Female City Councillor in Montreal:
  • Kettly Beauregard, Marie-Victorin, Parti Vision Montreal, 1994–2001
  • First Black Canadian City Councillor in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta:
  • Ajibola "Jibs" Abitoye, October 17, 2017
  • First Black Canadian and Female City Councillor in London, Ontario:
  • Arielle Kayabaga, October 22, 2018
  • First Black Female MNA in Quebec:
  • Yolande James, Nelligan, Liberal MNA 2003–present
  • First Black MLA in Nova Scotia:
  • Wayne Adams, Nova Scotia Liberal MLA for Preston 1993–1998
  • First Black female MLA in Nova Scotia:
  • Yvonne Atwell, Nova Scotia New Democratic Party MLA for Preston 1998–1999
  • Black Speakers of Legislatures in Canada
  • Emery Barnes, British Columbia New Democratic Party MLA 1972–1996, Speaker in British Columbia Legislature 1993 to 1996 when he retired.
  • Alvin Curling, Ontario Liberal MPP 1985–2005, Speaker 2003–2005
  • First Black woman in Cabinet:
  • Zanana Akande, St. Andrew—St. Patrick, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1990–1994
  • First Black Governor General of Canada:
  • Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada, 2005–2010
  • First Black Lieutenant Governor:
  • Rt. Hon Lincoln Alexander Lt. Governor of Ontario, 1985–1991
  • first black female candidate for a Canadian federal party leadership
  • Rosemary Brown in the 1975 New Democratic Party leadership election
  • First Black Senator:
  • Anne Cools, Liberal Senator 1983–2004, Conservative, 2004+
  • First Black mayor:
  • Firmin Monestime, 1964
  • First Black female mayor:
  • Daurene Lewis, 1984

Chinese Canadians

  • First Chinese-Canadian candidate in Canada:
  • Catherine Emily Ling, 1941 British Columbia provincial election for the Emancipation Party in Vancouver Point Grey
  • First Chinese-Canadian MP:
  • Douglas Jung (鄭天華|鄭天華), Progressive Conservative MP for Vancouver Centre (1957–1962), first Chinese Canadian to hold elected office
  • First Chinese-Canadian member of provincial legislature:
  • George Ho Lem (何榮禧), Alberta Social Credit MLA for Calgary-McCall (1971–75)
  • Bob Wong (黄景培), Ontario Liberal MPP for Fort York (1987–90)
  • Ida Chong (張杏芳), British Columbia Liberal MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head (1996–2013), together with Jenny Kwan were the first Chinese-Canadian women elected in Canada
  • Jenny Kwan (關慧貞|關慧貞), British Columbia NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant (1996–2015), together with Ida Chong were the first Chinese-Canadian women elected in Canada
  • First Taiwanese-Canadian MP:
  • Meili Faille, Bloc Québécois MP for Vaudreuil—Soulanges (2004–2011)
  • First Chinese-Canadian leader of a political party (federally or provincially)
  • Arthur Lee (李僑棟), British Columbia Liberal leader, 1984–1987 (the British Columbia Liberals had no seats)
  • Victor Lau, Saskatchewan Green Party Leader 2006 (interim), 2011–present
  • First Chinese-Canadian in Cabinet:
  • Bob Wong (黄景培), Ontario Liberal, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (1987–89), Minister of Citizenship (1989–90)
  • Raymond Chan (陳卓愉|陳卓愉), Federal Liberal, Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) (1993–2001), Minister of State (Multiculturalism)(2004–2006), First Chinese-Canadian federal cabinet minister
  • Gary Mar (馬健威), Alberta Progressive Conservative, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, Minister of Health and Wellness, Minister of Learning, Minister of the Environment, and twice Minister of Community Development (1993–2007)
  • Jenny Kwan (關慧貞|關慧貞), British Columbia NDP, Minister of Municipal Affairs (1998–99), Minister of Women's Equality (1999–2000), Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers (2000–01)
  • Michael Chong (莊文浩|莊文浩), Federal Conservative, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada (2006)
  • Michael Chan, Ontario Liberal, Minister of Revenue (2007), Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (2007–2018)
  • Alice Wong (黃陳小萍|黃陳小萍), Federal Conservative, Minister of State for Seniors (2011–2021)
  • First Chinese-Canadian senator:
  • Vivienne Poy (利德蕙|利德蕙), 1998–2012
  • First Chinese-Canadian governor general of Canada:
  • Adrienne Clarkson (伍冰枝|伍冰枝), Governor General of Canada, 1999–2005
  • First Chinese-Canadian lieutenant governors
  • David Lam (林思齊|林思齊), British Columbia Lieutenant Governor 1988–1995
  • Norman Kwong (林佐民|林佐民), Lieutenant Governor of Alberta 2005–2010
  • Philip S. Lee (李紹麟|李紹麟), Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
  • First Chinese-Canadian mayor in Canada:
  • Peter Wing (吳榮添), Mayor of Kamloops, first elected 1966, served for three terms

Croatian Canadians

  • First Croatian Canadian elected to a Legislature:
  • David 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, Mississauga East, 1987–1993 (expelled), Independent MPP 1993–1995
  • First Croatian Canadian elected to the House of Commons (first Croatian Canadian MP):
  • David 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

Dutch Canadians

Filipino Canadians

German Canadians

Greek Canadians

  • 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 Gigantès, Liberal Senator appointed in 1984
  • First Greek elected to the Ontario legislature:
  • George Samis, Ontario New Democratic Party MPP 1974 by-election, 1985, Cornwall
  • First Greek Minister in the Province of Nova Scotia:
  • Labi Kousoulis, Nova Scotia Liberal Party MLA, 2013–present

Hungarian Canadians

Icelandic Canadians

  • First Icelandic-Canadian elected to a legislature in Canada:
  • Sigtryggur Jonasson, Manitoba Liberal Party, 1896–1899, 1907–1910
  • First Icelandic-Canadian Provincial Party Leader:
  • Boss Johnson, British Columbia Liberal Party, 1947–1952
  • First Icelandic-Canadian Premier:
  • Boss Johnson, British Columbia Liberal Party, 1947–1952

Indian Canadians

  • First Indian-Canadian elected as Mayor, Municipal government in Ontario:
  • Floyd Pinto, Mayor of Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Province of Ontario 2018-2022
  • First Indian-Canadian elected as Mayor in Simcoe County:
  • Floyd Pinto, Mayor of Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, County of Simcoe 2018-2022
  • First Indian-Canadian elected as Simcoe County Councillor:
  • Floyd Pinto, Simcoe County Councillor, 2018-2022

Iranian Canadians

  • First Iranian Canadian elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (1st Iranian Canadian Provincial MPP)
  • Reza Moridi, Liberal MPP, Richmond Hill, 2007–2018
  • First Iranian Canadian elected to the Canadian House of Commons (1st Iranian Canadian MPs)
  • Ali Ehsassi, Liberal MP, Willowdale, 2015–present
  • Majid Jowhari, Liberal MP, Richmond Hill, 2015–present
  • First Iranian Canadian elected to the Québec National Assembly (1st Iranian Canadian MNA)
  • Amir Khadir, Québec Solidaire MNA, Mercier, 2008–present. Also the first Iranian-Canadian co-spokesperson of a major provincial political party

Italian Canadians

  • First Italian Canadian to a provincial legislature
  • Phil Gaglardi, 1952=1968, also first cabinet minister of Italian origin 1955 onwards
  • First Italian Canadian Elected to the House of Commons (1st Italian Canadian MP)
  • Hubert Badanai Liberal MP Fort William 1958–1972
  • First Italian Canadian Cabinet Minister (Federal)
  • Monique Bégin, 1976.09.14 Appointed Minister of National Revenue
  • First Italian Canadian Senator
  • Pietro Rizzuto, Liberal Senator appointed in 1976
  • First Italian Canadian to run for the leadership of a major party (federally or provincially):
  • John Nunziata, Federal Liberal Leadership race 1990
  • Phil Gaglardi, provincial British Columbia Social Credit League leadership race 1952
  • Tony Silipo, Ontario NDP leadership race 1996
  • Greg Sorbara, Ontario Liberal leadership race 1992
  • First Italian Canadian provincial party leader
  • Steven Del Duca, Ontario Liberal (2020–2022)

Japanese Canadians

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)

Korean Canadians

Latvian Canadians

Macedonian Canadians

Maltese Canadians

Muslim Canadians

Norwegian Canadians

  • First Norwegian elected to a legislature in Canada
  • Hans Lars Helgesen, 1878–1886, Esquimalt, British Columbia MLA, first Scandinavian-Canadian member of a provincial legislature

Polish Canadians

Portuguese Canadians

Russian Canadians

Slovak Canadians

South Asian Canadians

  • Note: South Asians include those of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, or Bangladeshi ancestry.
  • First South Asian elected in Canada:
  • Naranjan Grewall, City Councilor Mission, 1950 (Punjabi-Canadian)
  • Naranjan Grewall, Mayor Mission, 1954
  • Johnder Basran, Mayor Lillooet, early 1960s (Punjabi-Canadian)
  • First South Asian candidate in British Columbia:
  • Naranjan Grewall, British Columbia, Dewdney, CCF Party of British Columbia, 1956 provincial election
  • First South Asian Canadian candidate in Canada:
  • Hardial Bains, Marxist–Leninist Party of Canada, Eglinton, 1972 federal election
  • First South Asian Provincial Premier:
  • Ujjal Dosanjh, British Columbia New Democratic Party, February 24, 2000, to June 5, 2001 (Punjabi-Canadian)
  • First South Asian Territorial Premier:
  • Ranj Pillai, Yukon Liberal Party, January 28, 2023 – present (Malayali-Canadian)
  • First South Asian leaders of a major political party:
  • Raj Pannu, Alberta New Democratic Party February 2, 2000 – 2004 (MLA 1997–2008) (Punjabi-Canadian)

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 to 1997

  • First South Asian MLA elected in Manitoba:
  • Gulzar Singh Cheema, Manitoba Liberal MLA Kildonan 1988–1990 (Punjabi-Canadian)
  • 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 2006–2013
  • 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, President of the British Columbia NDP (2009) (Punjabi-Canadian)
  • Raj Sharan, Former president of the Newfoundland and 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 and one of the first two to be elected as MPP in 2018
  • Neethan Shan, elected York School Board Trustee for Markham Wards 7 and 8
  • First Tamil-Canadian Female elected in Canada
  • Juanita Nathan, elected York School Board Trustee for Markham Wards 7 and 8
  • First Tamil-Canadian and Tamil Female elected House of Commons
  • Rathika Sitsabaiesan, elected Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge River, Ontario from 2011 to 2015

Turkish Canadians

Ukrainian Canadians

  • First Ukrainian Canadian elected to a Legislature in Canada:
  • Andrew Shandro, Alberta Liberal Party MLA from Whitford, Alberta, 1913–1922
  • 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 Senator:
  • William Michael Wall, Liberal Senator from Manitoba, 1955–1962
  • First Ukrainian Canadian cabinet minister:
  • Michael Starr, federal Progressive Conservative, Minister of Labour, 1957–1963
  • First Ukrainian Canadian leader of a major political party:
  • Roy Romanow, Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leader 1987–2001
  • First Ukrainian Canadian Premier:
  • Roy Romanow, NDP Premier of Saskatchewan, 1990–2001
  • First Ukrainian Canadian Governor General of Canada:
  • Ray Hnatyshyn, 1990–1995
  • First Ukrainian Canadian Mayor
  • William Hawrelak 1951–1959, 1963–1965, 1974–1975
  • Stephen Juba Winnipeg 1954–1977

Vietnamese Canadians

Elections

See also

References

External links