Page "Joe Clark" Paragraph 10

Clark was the first Canadian politician to take a strong stand for decriminalization of marijuana in Canada, and for a guaranteed minimum income for everyone ; both positions were characteristic of the Red Tories.

In many ways his social liberalism was as bold in the 1970s as Trudeau's was in the 1960s.

These positions put Clark at odds with the right-wing members of his caucus, several members of which were not afraid to confront him.

For example, in the lead-up to the 1979 election when Clark's riding was merged into the riding of another Tory MP during a redistribution of ridings, the other MP refused to step aside ( even though Clark was now party leader ), forcing Clark to run in nearby Yellowhead.