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NDTV
24-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Canada Election 2025: Who Was Charles Tupper, The 68-Day Prime Minister
Ottawa: Mark Carney, the 24th Prime Minister of Canada, has called a snap election months ahead of the scheduled October polls. Elected the leader of the Liberal Party and sworn in as Prime Minister in March 2025, Mr Carney heads into the elections with some edge over his Conservative counterpart Pierre Poilievre. There is no fixed term for the Prime Minister in Canada. He or she can hold the office as long as they have the confidence of the majority of the House of Commons. The shortest tenure in Canadian political history was that of Charles Tupper, who held the office for just 68 days in 1896. Mr Tupper's brief and turbulent time at the helm serves as a reminder of how quickly leadership can shift in a parliamentary democracy. About Charles Tuppe Born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, in 1821, Mr Tupper was a trained physician. He earned his medical degree in Scotland in 1843 before returning home to practice. According to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography and The Canadian Encyclopedia, he is the only prime minister of Canada to have had a medical background. Yet it was politics, and not medicine, that defined his legacy. Mr Tupper began his political career by defeating Liberal stalwart Joseph Howe in 1855 to secure a seat in Nova Scotia's provincial assembly. As part of the Conservative Party, he swiftly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming premier in 1864. His support for a united Canada played a critical role in shaping the Confederation. He persuaded the Nova Scotia House of Assembly to support the federal union in 1866, paving the way for the birth of Canada in 1867, according to a report in The National Post. After Confederation, he transitioned to federal politics, serving in various roles under Prime Minister John A. Macdonald, including Minister of Public Works and Minister of Railways and Canals. Even while stationed in London as Canada's High Commissioner to the UK, he remained a key political figure. His return to active politics came after the sudden death of Prime Minister John Thompson in 1894. When Mackenzie Bowell failed to manage a party crisis over Manitoba's education rights for Francophones, Mr Tupper was asked to step in as Secretary of State, with a clear understanding that he would become prime minister once Parliament was dissolved, according to a report in the National Post. Mr Tupper formally assumed the premiership on May 1, 1896, at the age of 74, making him the oldest person to ever take office as Canadian prime minister. But his time was limited. Though the Conservatives won the popular vote in the June 23 election, they failed to secure a majority in the House of Commons. Wilfrid Laurier's Liberals clinched more seats, forming a minority government. He initially resisted relinquishing power, questioning Mr Laurier's ability to govern. He even attempted to make appointments, which were rejected by then-Governor General Lord Aberdeen. Ultimately, Mr Tupper was compelled to resign without ever having set foot in Parliament as prime minister. "He even began making appointments, none of which were approved by Lord Aberdeen," the National Post reported. If Mark Carney fails to secure a win in the April 28 election, he will replace Charles Tupper as Canada's shortest-serving Prime Minister, with just 45 days in office.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Scientists make stunning discovery while studying the deepest lake in North America — here's what they found
The deepest lake in North America is recovering its water level after it reached a record low in 2024. In February, Great Slave Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories was 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) higher than it was a year prior, as Cabin Radio reported. As of March 7, it had picked up another 5 cm to reach 9.8 inches. The province's Department of Environment and Climate Change said Great Slave Lake's water level has been "slowly rising since mid-December," per the outlet, though the spring melt will determine where it goes from here. The lake is named after a group of the Indigenous Dene people. The Dene also call themselves the Slavey when speaking English, per The Canadian Encyclopedia. It's the second-largest lake in the country, fifth-largest on the continent, and 10th-largest in the world. Humans have lived around the lake, which reaches a maximum depth of 614 meters, for 7,000 years. It has a significant impact on the Mackenzie River and forms the basis of traditional livelihoods and economies, according to the Northwest Territories government. In 2020, the lake reached its highest level since 1930. But it had been "extremely low" the year before, Cabin Radio reported. Since 2022, the area has been in a drought. Both the water level fluctuations and dry conditions are common symptoms of the warming planet. The burning of dirty energy sources emits heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, which envelop Earth like a blanket and contribute to more frequent and severe extreme weather as well as rising global temperatures that disrupt the water cycle. In the Great Slave Lake basin, water levels are bouncing back but still low. That could again disrupt the barge resupply on the Mackenzie like last year, and higher-than-usual temperatures in January were cause for concern. Winter precipitation was average, and that was expected to continue for a few months for most of the NWT, Cabin Radio reported. To help stabilize the lake and other climate conditions, we can turn to clean energy sources that don't pollute the environment or lead to planetary warming. Use or install electric lawn equipment and energy-efficient appliances, which can also save you money. Even small steps such as eating plant-based meals, using less plastic, and taking alternatives to personal vehicles can make a big difference. How much time do you spend taking care of the plants inside or outside your home? Several hours a week One hour a week Less than one hour I don't have any plants Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
