either the Liberal or the Progressive Conservative Party, as opposed to more recently founded smaller parties on the Canadian political scene.
See also: old-line party
- 1963  There is always a danger that the voters, influenced by Socred and N.D.P. arguments, will conclude that there is little to choose between the "old parties" and will vote for a new party. Even Ontario showed its lack of confidence in the old parties by electing a farmer government.