The National Party of Canada: Mel Hurtig's Vision for Economic Nationalism in the 1990s

In 1992, I was swept up in the need for a fresh change in Canadian politics. I go heavily involved in Mel Hurtig's National Party of Canada in Guelph, helping local candidate Maggie Laidlaw. I helped get Mel on local TV and interviewed him. Here is a youtube LINK to a playlist of 3 videos of Mel talking about the National Party of Canada. At that time the party did not work out. Today however, some of the same themes the National Party stood for are still relevant issues today.

Introduction: A Brief but Significant Chapter in Canadian Political History

The National Party of Canada, founded by Edmonton publisher and nationalist Mel Hurtig in 1992, represents one of the most interesting yet overlooked political movements in modern Canadian history. Though short-lived, lasting only until 1994, the party's economic nationalist platform and opposition to continental integration offered a distinct alternative voice during a pivotal period in Canada's economic development.

Who Was Mel Hurtig?

Melvin "Mel" Hurtig (1932-2016) was far more than a politician—he was a celebrated Canadian publisher, author, and passionate advocate for Canadian sovereignty. Best known as the publisher of The Canadian Encyclopedia, Hurtig had already established himself as a prominent voice for Canadian nationalism before entering federal politics. His previous work included founding the Council of Canadians, a citizens' organization dedicated to promoting Canadian independence and opposing continentalization.

The Birth of the National Party of Canada (1992)

Historical Context

The National Party of Canada emerged during one of the most turbulent periods in Canadian political history. The early 1990s were marked by:

The implementation of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (1989)
Negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The Progressive Conservative government's privatization policies under Brian Mulroney
Growing concerns about American economic influence in Canada
Rising unemployment and economic uncertainty

Party Formation and Leadership

Hurtig founded the National Party in 1992, becoming its leader and primary policy architect. The party positioned itself as a left-leaning, progressive alternative focused on economic nationalism and environmental sustainability. Unlike other political movements of the time, the National Party specifically targeted educated, middle-class Canadians who were concerned about Canada's economic sovereignty.

Core Policies and Platform: "A New and Better Canada"

The National Party's comprehensive policy document, titled "A New and Better Canada," outlined several key pillars:

1. Economic Nationalism

Opposition to Free Trade: The party strongly opposed both the existing Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and the proposed NAFTA
Currency Policy: Advocated for lowering the value of the Canadian dollar to boost domestic manufacturing and exports
Industrial Strategy: Promoted policies to strengthen Canadian-owned businesses and reduce foreign ownership
Resource Sovereignty: Emphasized Canadian control over natural resources

2. Environmental Protection

Sustainable Development: Integration of environmental considerations into all economic planning
Climate Action: Early advocacy for policies to address environmental degradation
Resource Conservation: Sustainable management of Canada's natural wealth

3. Social Justice and Equality

Progressive Taxation: More equitable tax system to address income inequality
Social Programs: Strengthening of Canada's social safety net
Regional Development: Policies to address regional economic disparities

4. Political Reform

Democratic Renewal: Proposals for electoral reform and increased citizen participation
Senate Reform: Modifications to Canada's upper chamber
Government Accountability: Enhanced transparency in government operations

The 1993 Federal Election Campaign

Electoral Strategy

The National Party fielded candidates across Canada in the 1993 federal election, though their resources were limited compared to major parties. The party's campaign focused on:

Anti-free trade messaging
Economic nationalism themes
Environmental protection
Social justice issues

Results and Performance

The 1993 election proved challenging for the National Party:

Mel Hurtig's Performance: In Edmonton Northwest, Hurtig received 4,507 votes (12.8% of the popular vote), finishing third behind Liberal Anne McLellan
National Results: The party failed to elect any candidates to Parliament
Best Showing: Hurtig's result was the strongest for any National Party candidate
Media Exclusion: The party was excluded from the national leaders' debates, limiting their exposure

Electoral Challenges

Several factors contributed to the party's limited success:

Limited financial resources
Lack of media coverage
Competition from the Reform Party for anti-establishment votes
The "strategic voting" phenomenon against the unpopular Progressive Conservative government

The Party's Decline and Legacy (1994-Present)

Dissolution

Following the disappointing 1993 election results, Mel Hurtig resigned as party leader in 1994. Without its founder's leadership and lacking electoral success, the National Party quickly dissolved, marking the end of this experiment in Canadian political nationalism.

Lasting Influence

Despite its brief existence, the National Party's ideas continued to influence Canadian political discourse:

Economic Nationalism: Ongoing debates about foreign ownership and trade agreements
Environmental Policy: Early integration of environmental and economic policy thinking
Political Reform: Continued discussions about democratic renewal
Regional Development: Persistent concerns about economic disparities

Would the National Party Resonate Today?

Contemporary Relevance

Examining today's political and economic landscape, several of the National Party's core concerns have proven remarkably prescient:

Economic Sovereignty

Trade Tensions: Recent U.S.-Canada trade disputes (USMCA renegotiation, softwood lumber, etc.) echo the party's warnings about economic dependency
Foreign Investment: Ongoing debates about foreign ownership, particularly from China, reflect National Party concerns
Resource Sector: Continued challenges in Canada's oil, mining, and forestry sectors align with the party's resource sovereignty message

Environmental Integration

Climate Change: The party's early emphasis on environmental-economic integration has become mainstream
Green New Deal: Contemporary movements for environmental action echo the party's holistic approach
Sustainable Development: The concept of balancing economic growth with environmental protection is now widely accepted

Social and Economic Inequality

Income Disparity: Growing wealth gaps make the party's progressive taxation and social justice policies relevant
Regional Development: Persistent economic disparities between regions remain a significant issue
Corporate Concentration: Concerns about corporate power and market concentration align with the party's nationalism

Modern Political Context

Several factors suggest a contemporary National Party might find more receptive ground:

Favorable Conditions

Trade Skepticism: Growing public wariness of international trade agreements
Environmental Awareness: Heightened climate consciousness among voters
Economic Anxiety: Middle-class concerns about job security and economic sovereignty
Democratic Discontent: Frustration with traditional political parties
Digital Organizing: Modern tools for political organization and fundraising

Potential Challenges

Political Polarization: More polarized political landscape might limit centrist appeal
Media Fragmentation: Harder to build unified messaging across diverse media platforms
Established Parties: NDP and Green Party occupy much of the left-leaning policy space
Regional Divisions: Increased regional political tensions might complicate national messaging

Policy Resonance Analysis

High Resonance Policies

Climate Action: Environmental policies would likely find strong support
Economic Sovereignty: Trade skepticism remains significant among many Canadians
Corporate Accountability: Anti-corporate sentiment could drive support
Democratic Reform: Electoral reform remains popular

Moderate Resonance Policies

Currency Policy: Complex economic policy may have limited public appeal
Regional Development: Important but may not drive electoral success
Social Programs: Already addressed by existing parties

Potential New Directions

A modern version might emphasize:

Digital Sovereignty: Data protection and tech company regulation
Housing Policy: Addressing the housing crisis through nationalist economic policies
Healthcare Enhancement: Strengthening public healthcare against privatization
Immigration Integration: Balanced approach to immigration and integration

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Economic Nationalism

Mel Hurtig's National Party of Canada, though brief in its existence, represented an important moment in Canadian political history when economic nationalism offered a distinct alternative to the mainstream political consensus. The party's integration of economic, environmental, and social justice concerns created a unique political vision that, in many ways, anticipated contemporary political debates.

Today, as Canada grapples with trade tensions, climate change, economic inequality, and questions of sovereignty, many of the National Party's core concerns remain remarkably relevant. The party's emphasis on Canadian economic independence, environmental sustainability, and social justice continues to resonate with significant portions of the Canadian electorate.

While a direct revival of the National Party seems unlikely, its intellectual legacy lives on in contemporary discussions about Canada's place in the global economy, the role of government in addressing inequality, and the integration of environmental and economic policy. For supporters like yourself, the party represented a road not taken—a vision of Canadian politics that prioritized sovereignty, sustainability, and social justice over continental integration and market fundamentalism.

The National Party's brief but significant contribution to Canadian political discourse serves as a reminder that alternative visions of Canadian political economy remain possible, and that economic nationalism, when combined with progressive social policies and environmental consciousness, continues to offer a compelling alternative to mainstream political options.

References

"National Party of Canada." Wikipedia. May 5, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Party_of_Canada
"Mel Hurtig." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Accessed September 2025. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mel-hurtig
"Mel Hurtig." Wikipedia. September 28, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Hurtig
"1993 Canadian federal election." Wikipedia. August 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Canadian_federal_election
"National Party of Canada." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Accessed September 2025. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/national-party-of-canada
"National Party of Canada candidates in the 1993 Canadian federal election." Wikipedia. April 7, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Party_of_Canada_candidates_in_the_1993_Canadian_federal_election
Hurtig, Mel. A New and Better Canada. Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1992.
Hurtig, Mel. The Betrayal of Canada. Toronto: Stoddart, 1991.
"Mel Hurtig." Penguin Random House Canada. Accessed September 2025. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/authors/13903/mel-hurtig

Paul Langan