Today in Canada's Political History - December 5, 1892: The Man from Halifax becomes Prime Minister

  • National Newswatch

The great “what if” of post-Confederation political history officially took office as Prime Minister on this date in 1892. Sir John Thompson, a proud Nova Scotian, succeeded Sir John Abbott whose poor health forced his retirement.

Thompson had been a ground-breaking Minister of Justice, lured to Ottawa by Sir John A. Macdonald himself. His talents were obvious and he was soon considered the leading candidate to succeed the Father of Confederation when the time came. In fact, he was the first choice for party leader and Prime Minister when Macdonald passed into history but he believed Canada was not as yet ready to accept a Roman Catholic as PM. So, Abbott got the nod instead.

Upon assuming high office in his own right, Thompson began to turn the fortunes of his party and government, despite the fact that Canada’s federal Tories had governed since 1878 and had grown tired and complacent.

Sadly, Thompson would only serve as PM for two-years as he died suddenly, while at Windsor Castle, only two years after his swearing-in. He was only 49 and we’ll never know how he would have fared against Wilfrid Laurier when the time came.