1978 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election

1978 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election Ontario presidential no 1970 1982 1982 February 5, 1978 Riding Final ballot First ballot Michael Cassidy 1981 High Res Crop.jpg f4a460 Michael Cassidy Ottawa Centre 980(54.78%) 675(37.56%) 3x4.svg f4a460 Ian Deans Wentworth 809(45.22%) 623(34.67%) Mike Breaugh QP May 1986 (cropped).png f4a460 Michael Breaugh Oshawa Eliminated 499(27.77%) Leader Stephen Lewis Michael Cassidy Ontario New Democratic Party ON NDP 1978 February 5, 1978 Sheraton CentreToronto, Ontario Michael Cassidy Stephen Lewis 3 2 The 1978 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election was held in Toronto, Ontario, on February 5, 1978, to elect a successor to Stephen Lewis as leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP). The convention was necessary because Lewis resigned after the party performed poorly in the 1977 Ontario provincial election, where they had dropped to third place in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Michael Cassidy won on the second ballot, defeating Ian Deans. Background In the lead-up to the leadership election, Ian Deans was perceived as the frontrunner. He enjoyed the most support from the Ontario New Democratic caucus, and had a commanding lead in an unofficial poll of delegates taken just days before the vote.Hill Bert 1977-11-03 Cassidy not naming caucus backers https://books.google.com/books?id=G9AyAAAAIBAJ&dq=Michael+cassidy+endorsement&pg=PA13&article_id=911,1109603 Ottawa Ottawa Citizen 2025-02-24 1978-02-03 Delegates undecided on NDP leader choice https://books.google.com/books?id=lHBkAAAAIBAJ&dq=Michael+Breaugh+endorsement&pg=PA4&article_id=1219,1082744 Calgary Calgary Herald 2025-02-24 Michael Breaugh had less support from New Democratic politicians than Deans, but enjoyed the support of then federal New Democratic Party leader Ed Broadbent.Hill Bert 1978-01-25 Even split in federal NDP caucus on Ontario hopefuls https://books.google.com/books?id=Ajc0AAAAIBAJ&dq=Michael+Breaugh+endorsement&pg=PA16&article_id=2192,1537770 Ottawa Ottawa Citizen 2025-02-24 Cassidy was generally considered the most left-wing candidate. His policy advisor in the leadership campaign was James Laxer, a former leader of The Waffle, a faction which had separated from the New Democratic Party in 1974. Cassidy's victory was seen as an upset, and marked an ideological shift to the left for the party. Deans later attributed his defeat to weak support from labour unions.1978-02-06 Surprise victory gives Cassidy leadership of the Ontario NDP https://books.google.com/books?id=8WhVAAAAIBAJ&dq=michael+cassidy+leadership&pg=PA53&article_id=1155,1914099 Regina Regina Leader–Post 2025-02-24 Candidates Michael Breaugh Michael Breaugh was the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Oshawa. He was first elected in the 1975 provincial election. Previously, he was member of Oshawa City Council from 1973 to 1975. Before entering politics, he was a teacher.Szekely Reka 2019-11-26 Former Oshawa MP and MPP Mike Breaugh, 77, dies https://www.durhamregion.com/news/former-oshawa-mp-and-mpp-mike-breaugh-77-dies/article_6648449f-3e91-5dc8-a6c9-98bee93e28e5.html Oshawa Oshawa This Week 2025-02-24 EndorsementsHill Bert 1978-01-25 Even split in federal NDP caucus on Ontario hopefuls https://books.google.com/books?id=Ajc0AAAAIBAJ&dq=Michael+Breaugh+endorsement&pg=PA16&article_id=2192,1537770 Ottawa Ottawa Citizen 2025-02-24 MPs: (1) Ed Broadbent (Oshawa) Michael Cassidy Michael Cassidy was the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Ottawa Centre. He was first elected in the 1971 provincial election. Previously, he was member of Ottawa City Council, representing Wellington Ward from 1970 to 1972. Before entering politics, he was a journalist, serving as bureau chief of the Financial Times in Ottawa. Endorsements Other prominent individuals: (1) James Laxer Ian Deans Ian Deans was the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Wentworth. He was first elected in the 1975 provincial election. Before entering politics, he was a firefighter.Crawford Blair Willing Jon 2016-05-03 Ian Deans (1937-2016): NDP firebrand went on to head Public Service Staff Relations Board https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ian-deans-1937-2016-ndp-firebrand-went-on-to-head-public-service-staff-relations-board Ottawa Ottawa Citizen 2025-02-24 Endorsements 1977-11-03 Windsor MPP endorses Deans https://books.google.com/books?id=9VA_AAAAIBAJ&dq=ian+deans+endorsement&pg=PA6&article_id=6169,1047466 Windsor Windsor Star 2025-02-24Norton Cam 1977-12-13 Deans gets big lift in leadership fight https://books.google.com/books?id=U1M_AAAAIBAJ&dq=ian+deans+leader+endorsement&pg=PA42&article_id=3615,5075313 Windsor Star 2025-02-24 MPPs: (15) Ted Bounsall (Windsor—Sandwich), Brian Charlton (Hamilton Mountain), Dave Cooke (Windsor—Riverside), Monty Davidson (Cambridge), Michael Davison (Hamilton Centre), Bud Germa (Sudbury), Donald C. MacDonald (York South), Bob Mackenzie (Hamilton East), Mac Makarchuk (Brantford), Elie Martel (Sudbury East), Ross McClellan (Bellwoods), Ed Philip (Etobicoke), George Samis (Cornwall), Mel Swart (Welland), Fred Young (Yorkview) Voting results pink darkgray = Eliminated from next round lightgreen darkgray = Winner + Delegate support by ballot Candidate1st Ballot2nd Ballot NameVotes%Votes%+/− (pp)Michael Cassidy 675 37.6 980 54.8 +17.2Ian Deans 623 34.7 809 45.2 +10.5Michael Breaugh 499 27.8Eliminated (endorsed Cassidy)Total 1,797 100.0 1,789 100.0 -8 References 30em Category:1978 elections in Canada Category:February 1978 in Canada New Democratic Party leadership election 1978 Category:1978 political party leadership elections