Blue Grit Explained

A Blue Grit,^{[1] [2] [3]} also known as a Blue Liberal,^{[4] [5] [6] [7]} is a Canadian political term for a right of centre member or supporter of the federal Liberal Party, or many of the provincial Liberal parties in Canada.^[8] Blue Grits generally advocate for Liberals to adopt a liberal conservatism, mixing fiscal conservatism and economic liberalism, while also emphasizing socially liberal or progressive policies. The term has also been applied to former Progressive Conservative Party of Canada members who are now Liberals, such as Scott Brison.^[9]

Notable adherents

Notable Blue Grits include:

• John Turner, Prime Minister of Canada (1984) and minister of finance (1972–1975)^{[10] [11]}
• Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada (2003–2006) and minister of finance (1993–2002)
• John Manley, Deputy Prime Minister (2002–2003), minister of finance (2003–2003) and minister of industry (1995–2000)^[12]
• Martha Hall Findlay, Liberal leadership candidate in 2006 and 2013^[13]
• Frank McKenna, Premier of New Brunswick (1987–1997)
• Roy MacLaren, minister of state for finance (1983–1984), minister of national revenue (1984) and minister for international trade (1993–1996)
• Bonnie Crombie, 6th Mayor of Mississauga (2014–2024), leader of the Ontario Liberal Party (2023–present)^[14]

See also

• Red Tory and Blue Tory, similar factionalism in the Conservative Party of Canada
• Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)
• New Democrats (United States)
• Rockefeller Republican
• Third Way
• Classical liberalism
• Conservative liberalism

References

1. News: Tories win in Grit-NDP merger. Greg Weston. QMI Agency. Toronto Sun. June 13, 2010.
2. News: Red Tory, Blue Grit. Ken Gray. The Ottawa Citizen. April 7, 2010. November 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141113063114/http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/columnists/story.html?id=b15a20ba-1b5f-449b-a1a7-d155e996e2f6&p=2. November 13, 2014. dead.
3. News: Born in the Burbs. Ron Graham. The Walrus. October 2013.
4. News: 'I was a very blue Liberal,' Reynolds says. Jessy Brunette. The Sudbury Star. January 14, 2011. November 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141113053608/http://www.thesudburystar.com/2011/01/14/i-was-a-very-blue-liberal-reynolds-says. November 13, 2014. dead.
5. News: As leadership race winds down, Liberals still divided on an economic plan. Steven Chase. The Globe and Mail. April 13, 2013.
6. News: Canada's new electoral divide: It's about the money. Patrick Brethour. The Globe and Mail. August 24, 2012.
7. News: How the Liberal Party lost Mark Carney. Daniel Leblanc. Steven Chase. Jane Taber. amp. The Globe and Mail. December 15, 2012.
8. Web site: Provincial Tories plan major 're-think' of party policy. Rob Ferguson. Toronto Star. September 5, 2014.
9. Web site: Opinion Trudeau's Cabinet Has Diversity, But Conservative White Men Will Keep the Purse Strings Common Dreams . 2024-06-23 . www.commondreams.org . en.
10. Web site: Tuns . Paul . 30 years of Liberal infighting . Ottawa Citizen . August 9, 2019 . June 16, 2014.
11. Web site: Five stories we’re watching . Maclean's . August 9, 2019 . October 1, 2012.
12. News: Is Justin Trudeau's honeymoon over?. Michael Den Tandt. canada.com. May 1, 2014.
13. News: No longer hyphenated, Liberals cast aside the business faction. Ian Lee. Ottawa Citizen. April 16, 2013. November 26, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129124944/http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/archives/story.html?id=10397d17-27cc-4708-be3c-3b47aeaa007b. November 29, 2014. dead.
14. News: McGrath . John Michael . May 23, 2023 . ‘We govern from right of centre’: Bonnie Crombie on how she’d lead the Ontario Liberals . TVO . July 9, 2023.