1987 - THE BEGINNINGS
In 1987, a group of concerned Canadians from all political stripes gathered in Vancouver to attend the Western Assembly on Canada's Economic and Political Future. Delegates at the assembly decided to form a new political party. Five months later in Winnipeg, The Reform Party of Canada was formed, with Preston Manning elected as Leader.
1988 - ELECTION
Reform ran candidates in 72 of the 88 ridings west and north of Ontario, winning 275,000 votes and 2% of the national popular vote.
1989 - FIRST MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, FIRST SENATOR
Deborah Grey elected first Reform MP, winning Beaver River by-election. Stan Waters became Canada's first elected Senator.
1991 - EASTERN EXPANSION
Members voted to expand east of Manitoba. Membership at the beginning of 1991: 54,000; at the end - 100,000 nationwide. Tragically Stan Waters dies.
1992 - PRESTON MANNING'S BOOK, THE NEW CANADA, PUBLISHED
Preston Manning published The New Canada, which outlines the history, political philosophy and growth of the Reform Party.
1992 - REFORM CAMPAIGNS AGAINST THE CHARLOTTETOWN ACCORD
The Reform Party demonstrated that it's in tune with average Canadians when it campaigned for a NO vote in the Charlottetown accord. The accord was defeated 54% to 45%.
1993 - BREAKTHROUGH IN THE FEDERAL ELECTION
Reform ran in 206 ridings, emerging with 52 MPs, and 19% of the popular vote, including 26% of the vote outside Quebec. Most of the seats were in Western Canada, but in Ontario Reform finished second in 56 ridings.
1997 - ELECTION TO OFFICIAL OPPOSITION
Reform swept the Western provinces with 60 MPs, becoming Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. The party ran 227 candidates across the country, and dominated the national agenda.
TODAY - DRIVING THE NATIONAL AGENDA
Reform continues to strive to build a better Canada for the 21st century by driving the national agenda on fiscal accountability, national unity and democratic reform.
