Natural Law Party of Canada
(Federal - Defunct)

1993

LEADER: Dr. Neil Paterson.

BRIEF HISTORY: The Natural Law Party of Canada -- the Canadian branch of the international Natural Law Party -- was founded in 1992 by followers of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation movement. The party fielded 231 candidates in 1993, winning zero seats and 85,450 votes (0.63%). The NLP fielded 136 candidates in 1997, winning zero seats and 37,085 (0.29%). The NLP fielded 69 candidates in 2000, winning zero seats and 16,573 (0.13%). The party disolved itself as a political entity in 2003, as did the other leading NLP affiliates around the world.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The NLP advocated a peaceful philosophy based upon the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The NLP supported federal funding for research in yogic flying, believing that this form of meditation was the key to achieving world peace and universal health. It also proposed the construction of a Maharishi Veda Land project near Niagara Falls.