Clark, Joseph

Clark, Joseph (1939- ), prime minister of Canada (1979-1980). He was born in High River, Alberta province, educated at the University of Alberta, and later taught political science there. Active at an early age in local politics, he was elected to the Canadian Parliament in 1972 and in 1976 became the national leader of the Progressive Conservative party. When the party won the general election of 1979, Clark became the youngest prime minister in Canadian history. Criticism of his austere economic policy, however, led to the defeat of his budget in December 1979, and he resigned. After the Conservatives lost to the Liberals in the elections of February 1980, support for his leadership gradually waned. At a party convention held in June 1983, Clark lost his post to Brian Mulroney.