Civic Action League

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Ligue d'Action Civique
n/a
Former Municipal Party
Founded January, 1951
Dissolved 1961
Leader Jean Drapeau
President Pierre DesMarais
Headquarters n/a
Political ideology municipal reformism, conservatism
International alignment none
Colours n/a
Website n/a

The Civic Action League (French: Ligue d'Action Civique or LAC) was a municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It existed from 1951 to 1961.

Contents

[edit] Origins

It was established in January 1951 by good government activists who were known as the Public Morality Committee. [1]

[edit] Accomplishments

The party managed to elect a plurality of the city councillors in 1954 and in 1960 and its candidate Jean Drapeau became Mayor. However the majority of the City Council was made up of Independents and often blocked legislation proposed by the League.

Nonetheless, the League introducted party politics in Montreal's city government and abolished council seats reserved for businesses, city associations and agencies.

[edit] Decline

Drapeau lost his bid for re-elected in 1957. In the subsequent years, the party was plagued by conflicts between Drapeau and former Executive Committee Chairman Pierre DesMarais. In September 1960, 17 out of League's 33 Councilmembers, led by Jean Drapeau, left and created the Civic Party of Montreal. By October in that same year the League was wiped off the political map.

[edit] Mayoral Candidates

  Election Mayoral Candidate Popular Vote for Mayor Number of Councillors
     1954 Jean Drapeau 50% 28/99
     1957 Jean Drapeau 49% 33/99
     1960 Lucien Tremblay 6% 0/66

Victories are indicated with bold fonts.

[edit] Footnotes

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