Agnes Campbell Macphail was a Canadian politician and the first woman elected to Canada's House of Commons. She served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1921 to 1940; from 1943 to 1945 and again from 1948 to 1951, she served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the Toronto riding of York East. Active throughout her life in progressive politics, Macphail worked for multiple parties, most prominently the Progressive Party and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. She promoted her ideas through column-writing, activist organizing, and legislation.
Portrait by Yousuf Karsh, 1934
"Agnes Macphail Country" sign at eastern approach to Ceylon, Ontario
Macphail Memorial Elementary School in Flesherton, Ontario was named for Agnes Macphail
Historical plaque honouring Macphail outside Owen Sound Collegiate & Vocational Institute (OSCVI)
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a federal democratic socialist and social-democratic political party in Canada. The CCF was founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, agrarian, co-operative, and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction. In 1944, the CCF formed one of the first social-democratic governments in North America when it was elected to form the provincial government in Saskatchewan.
CCF founding meeting, Calgary, 1932
Federal CCF Caucus, in 1942 with new leader M.J. Coldwell. Left to right, Tommy Douglas, George Hugh Castleden, Angus MacInnis, Coldwell, Clarie Gillis, Joseph W. Noseworthy, Sandy Nicholoson, and Percy Wright.
Four past and future National Chairmen in September 1944: National CCF delegation attending the Conference of Commonwealth Labour Parties in London, England. Pictured from left to right: Clarie Gillis, MP for Cape Breton South; David Lewis, National Secretary; M. J. Coldwell, National Leader, MP for Rosetown—Biggar; Percy E. Wright, MP for Melfort; and Frank Scott, national chairman.
"Towards the Dawn!" – a 1930s promotional image from Saskatchewan
