Election Date: October 14, 2008

Abstract: At stake: House of Commons

At stake: House of Commons

Background

In 1867, the British America Act united four British colonies as provinces into the Dominion of Canada. Six more entities on the North American landmass would also go on to join the confederation of Canada, which was granted full autonomy from Britain following the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931.

The predominately French-speaking province of Quebec was acquired by Britain from France through the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Separatist sentiments have existed in the province since its incorporation into Canada. Indeed, the province has held two referenda on sovereignty, in 1980 and 1995, but both were defeated.

The Liberal party won four general elections since 1993. Liberal leader Paul Martin took over as Canada’s prime minister in December 2003. Allegations of financial improprieties involving senior Liberal officials erupted just months prior to the 2004 election and contributed to reduced support for the governing party.

The Liberals, under Martin, were able to form a minority government with 135 seats in the 308-member House of Commons. The Conservatives—assembled after the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative party—became the official opposition.

Click here for 2004 Canada House of Commons Election Tracker

During its entire term as a minority government, the Liberals were dogged by the scandal. An opposition attempt in May 2006 to topple the government failed by just one vote. The allegations of its mishandling of funds in the federal sponsorship program—initiated during prime minister Jean Chrétien’s tenure to promote Canada in Quebec—prompted the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the matter.

On Nov. 1, the inquiry released the first of its two reports, which concluded that Chrétien’s administration was largely responsible for the affair while Martin is "exonerated from any blame for carelessness or misconduct." Martin pledged to hold a federal election "within 30 days of the publication of the commission’s final report and recommendations," which was expected in early 2006.

On Nov. 28, 2005, the opposition parties represented in the House of Commons—the Conservatives led by Stephen Harper, the New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Jack Layton, and the Bloc Québécois led by Gilles Duceppe—seeking control of the election timing, cooperated to bring down the government in the first explicit vote of confidence in Canada’s history. On Nov. 29, governor general Michäelle Jean officially dissolved parliament.

The federal election took place on Jan. 23, 2006. Canadian voters elected a Conservative minority government with the Liberals as the official opposition. The NDP added ten members to its group in parliament, while the Bloc lost three. The Green party was unable to elect a legislator.

Click here for 2006 Canada House of Commons Election Tracker

Martin tendered his resignation as Liberal leader after the election. In December 2006, former environment minister Stéphane Dion became the new leader of the Liberals. The Conservative minority government operated with the explicit support of the Bloc Québécois on some occasions, and was able to pass legislation after many Liberal lawmakers abandoned the House of Commons during key votes.

On Jun. 19, Dion presented the "Green Shift", a revenue-neutral proposal that would establish new levies on carbon emissions, while at the same time providing reductions on income, personal and business taxes. Dion declared: "We’ll cut taxes on those things we all want more of—income, investment and innovation—and we will shift those taxes on things we want less of—pollution, greenhouse gas emission and waste. Our plan will be good for the environment and good for the economy—good for the planet, good for the wallet."

Harper criticized the proposal, saying, "The people aren’t stupid. (...) All this is a revenue grab to finance his own programs. They’re so bankrupt intellectually that the only policy idea they can come up with is to impose a new tax on energy prices at a time when energy prices, rising energy prices, are a national and global problem."

In late August, a federal election appeared imminent as Harper openly discussed the possibility of dissolving the House of Commons. The Conservatives had tabled legislation to implement fixed election dates in Canada, and the first federal ballot under this new calendar was scheduled to take place in October 2009.

On Aug. 27, Harper predicted the outcome of an early election, saying, "My expectation would be that we will have another minority. I think that’s the reality of the current political environment. (...) It certainly will give whoever wins that election, hopefully ourselves, that mandate to proceed and to proceed quite aggressively for some period of time."

On Aug. 29, Dion criticized the government’s management of the economy, declaring, "Stephen Harper and [finance minister] Jim Flaherty continue to talk about how good the ‘fundamentals’ are in Canada in spite of the fact that by any economic definition Canada is slumping."

In August, a series of flyers touting the government’s plans to deal with crime in Canada were sent across the country by sitting members of the House of Commons. The flyers included a ballot that asks Canadians which of four party leaders—Harper, Dion, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jack Layton, and Green party leader Elizabeth May—is "on the right track on crime."

Liberal lawmaker Mark Holland said the flyers contravene existing rules, saying, "The Conservative party is using taxpayers’ money to fund the printing and mailing of electoral material." Conservative legislator Rick Dykstra defended the mail-outs, adding, "We are going to get tough on crime by punishing drug pushers and certainly cracking down on the flow of drugs at the border, and we want to assist those who are addicted to get off the streets."

2008 House of Commons Election

Polls related to the 2008 Canadian Federal Election

On Sept. 7, after a visit to Canadian governor general Michäelle Jean, Canadian prime minister and Conservative party leader Stephen Harper declared that a new federal election would take place on Oct. 14, adding, "Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble. They will choose between clear direction or uncertainty; between common sense or risky experiments; between steadiness or recklessness. (...) The opposition insists on large-sale spending and a new tax. But even they admit that their carbon tax proposal is a work in progress."

Liberal leader Stéphane Dion criticized Harper’s record, saying, "Stephen Harper formed the most conservative government in our history. (...) The words ‘fight against poverty’ have yet to cross the lips of Mr. Harper. With this conservative ideology, Canadians are left to fend for themselves." Dion also discussed the prospect of a campaign based on leadership, saying, "Leadership for what? Leadership to avoid challenges, and to put us on a risky road of the challenges of the competitiveness of the economy, of climate change, of the fact that you have poverty in this country—and the current leadership is doing nothing. Or leadership to tackle these issues with Canadians and to win together."

New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jack Layton openly discussed the possibility of becoming the country’s head of government—a strategy that had never been utilized by his party—saying, "Unlike Stephen Harper, I’ll be a prime minister who puts you and your family first. Unlike Stephen Harper, I’ll act on the priorities of the kitchen table, not just the boardroom table. (...) Instead of Mr. Harper’s approach that views immigrants and newcomers as little more than economic units, we can build a Canada that fulfills its promise to all who come here—from every part of the globe—seeking a better life for themselves and their kids."

Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe launched a scathing critique of Harper, stating, "Like George W. Bush, Stephen Harper has done everything in his power to sabotage the Kyoto Accord. He defends the oil industry instead of the environment, and like Mr. Bush’s Republicans, the Harper Conservatives fight for the free circulations of firearms and for censorship. And they want to remove the hard-fought rights of women. We have to face the reality: There is a real possibility that the Conservatives will win a majority. And in Quebec, there is only one party that can stop the Conservatives and prevent Stephen Harper from attaining his hoped-for majority, and it’s the Bloc Québécois."

Green party leader Elizabeth May, who is seeking the party’s first elected seat in the House of Commons, declared, "I know this sounds high-minded, but our goal is to enliven democracy. But we obviously hope at the end of the campaign there will be a different government with a different tune."

On Sept. 7, Harper discussed the race, saying, “Voters can’t vote for a minority or a majority. They can’t vote 60 per cent for one party and 14 per cent for another. They have one vote. They should vote for the party that they want to lead the government.”

On Sept. 8, the consortium of television executives that organizes the debates announced that the meetings—in French and English—would take place on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. The group also explained their decision to exclude May from the debates in a statement, which read: “Three parties opposed [the Green party’s] inclusion and it became clear that if the Green party were included, there would be no leaders debates. In the interest of Canadians, the consortium has determined that it is better to broadcast the debates with the four major party leaders, rather than not at all.”

May expressed disappointment, saying, “Harper says this election is about strong leadership. It’s about strong-arm leadership. We are a national party with a point of view supported by Canadians. This decision is undemocratic and we have no choice but to challenge it.”

Also on Sept. 8, Layton criticized the record of the Harper government, saying, “I will not continue to hand over billions in corporate tax cuts to companies who ship our jobs overseas. Instead, we will use that money to invest in innovation. We’ll work with companies and entrepreneurs who are providing training, developing sustainable jobs in the new energy economy.”

Also on Sept. 8, Duceppe criticized Harper, saying, “This morning, we heard for the first time in history, a prime minister refuse to say he wants a majority. He’s scared of talking about a majority because he knows that the ideology of his party worries people. The Conservatives of Stephen Harper lack respect toward women, toward youth, toward workers, toward the elderly, toward artists.”

On Sept. 10, the consortium of television executives reversed its decision and allowed May to take part in the debates

Also on Sept. 10, Dion wowed to invest an additional $46.5 million U.S. to bolster the country’s food inspection system, adding, “Canadians have been alarmed by recent revelations about unsafe food making it to our store shelves. A government cannot cut corners when it comes time to protecting the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of so-called efficiencies. (...) There is nothing more at the core of what a government should do than food safety—to be sure the water you drink, the food you eat, is safe.”

Also on Sept. 10, Harper assured that there would be no new extension of the mission if he forms the government again, saying, “You have to put an end date on these things. By 2011, we will have been in Kandahar, which is probably the toughest province in the country, for six years. Not only have we done our bit at that point, I think our goal has to be after six years to see the government of Afghanistan able to carry the lion’s share of responsibility for its own security. At that point, the mission, as we’ve known it, we intend to end.”

On Sept. 12, Dion criticized Harper, saying, “While (Harper) was busy talking about building firewalls in the West, I was fighting to keep my country together. I do not need any lessons from Stephen Harper on fighting for the national unity of my country.”

On Sept. 14, Canadian transport minister Lawrence Cannon urged Quebecers to support his party, saying, “After 18 years in the House of Commons, [Bloc Québécois leader Gilles] Duceppe can’t point to a single accomplishment, not a single concrete result for Quebecers to show for it.”

On Sept. 17, Harper said he “would not tolerate” opposition obstruction of a series of measures to deal with crime, saying, “All parties will say in this election they support these things. In reality they don’t, they come from a different school. They don’t favour this approach. That’s why they’re already squawking about the fact I say I’ll make some of these things confidence measures, because they don’t want to pass them.”

On Sept. 19, Dion rejected the assertion that the “Green Shift” is a major part of the Liberal election platform, saying, “You [the reporters] have said it was, never me. (...) I always said it was an important policy for Canada. We strongly believe it will be good for our country. The Green Shift is part of the solution, but the solution is the overall plan of [a federal] Liberal government.”

Also on Sept. 19, Harper discussed the state of the national economy, saying, “We don’t anticipate any crisis in the Canadian financial system. I think there’s some evidence that credit has been tightening in Canada over the past year but, that said, I would not urge consumers to panic. (...) The best information I have (...) is that the trouble in the financial sector of the United States should not spill over into Canada.”

On Sept. 22, Canadian finance minister Jim Flaherty discussed the country’s finances within the context of the current crisis in the United States, saying, “We do not see that type of risk with Canadian financial institutions. These are not new issues. They’re unfolding more dramatically of late, but they’re not new. (...) There are some indications that there will be some activity outside the United States that would be cooperative with what the United States has done.”

On Sept. 26, Layton discussed his chances, saying, “I remember people who said to Tommy Douglas that medicare couldn’t be done and I am suggesting to people they shouldn’t listen to anyone who says that an NDP prime minister isn’t possible. (...) I’ve been in sailing races in the past and you are sometimes way behind and then the wind picks up and you’ve made the right decision and, by golly, you win the race. And that is what we are doing in our election.”

Also on Sept. 26, Harper called on voters to support his party, saying, “I say we need a strong mandate. I could say a stronger mandate. What we have seen increasingly is the other parties working together (...) and certainly all articulating a direction for the Canadian economy that would be totally different than this government and that has me very worried obviously about the pressure that they could bring to bear.”

On Sept. 27, deputy Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff criticized Harper’s style, saying, “We’re not choosing the dad of the year. We’re not choosing sweater man. Were not choosing an attack dog. We’re not choosing a president. We’re choosing a government.”

On Sept. 29, Layton discussed his views on the upcoming televised debates—in French and English—which are scheduled to take place on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, saying, “This debate is coming down to essentially two visions, Mr. Harper’s vision for Canada and my vision for Canada, and to a decision to be made by people disappointed with [Liberal leader] Dion.”

Also on Sept. 29, Dion discussed the debates, saying, “Up to now they have seen on their TV a Stéphane Dion that does not exist. The one that Mr. Harper wants to describe to us. (...) I will have the opportunity to be in the living rooms of Canadians. They will see who I am, how much I care, and how I am prepared to be prime minister.”

In September, May discussed her policies to deal with poverty and drug abuse, saying, “Economic deprivation has no place in a country as wealthy as Canada, and we can end it. The need to provide real help for people suffering from addiction is not something we can ignore.”

On Oct. 1, Layton discussed his chances, saying, “The door is open for New Democrats to become the place that a lot of people are starting to join. And I just feel that people are questioning the old assumptions. I just don’t accept the proposition that the Liberal party is a party of the Left. Their campaigns are, but their governing isn’t.”

On Oct. 2, during the televised English-language debate, May voiced support for electoral changes, saying, “We’ve got to put ourselves on a path of proportional representation, so that the will of the voters is expressed and the way people vote is reflected in the House of Commons.”

On Oct. 3, Harper discussed the current state of economic affairs in Canada, saying, “We’re not going to get into a situation like we have in the United States where we’re panicking and annunciating a different plan every day. (...) The Canadian economy has continued to create jobs—it’s slower than it was, but it continues to grow. In Canada, we had a fairly stable mortgage sector and obviously our banks are in a stable situation.”

Also on Oct. 3, Dion expressed confidence in his party’s chances, saying, “The debates showed us that Stephen Harper can be beaten. I tell you we are stronger together. We can do great things together to create the Canada that we want.”

On Oct. 4, Dion criticized NDP leader Jack Layton, saying, “His first decision will be to impose to our hardworking business person in this country an increase in the tax burden of $50 billion. (…) It would be a job killer for workers and their families.” Layton dismissed Dion’s comments, saying, “Mr. Dion supported [Harper] 43 times on everything [he] wanted to do.”

Also on Oct. 4, Duceppe discussed his views on the race, saying, “Quebec can prevent Stephen Harper from winning a majority. As many Bloc MPs have to be elected as possible. I’m not going to draw any conclusions now from an election that has not taken place.”

On Oct. 8, Dion criticized Harper, saying, “Rather than acknowledging the fear and hurt being felt by Canadians, Stephen Harper said that he saw buying opportunities in the stock market. He is completely out of touch with the impact the current economic turmoil is having on the lives of everyday Canadians.”

On Oct. 11, Dion urged voters to support his party, saying, “The important thing for us, at the fourth year of our plan we have child care, we have more doctors and nurses, we have everything. So the pace at which we deliver our plan may be changed because of the economic difficulties and because of the fact that Mr. Harper did nothing to prepare the country to the turmoil in which we are.”

Also on Oct. 11, Harper discussed the current state of the campaign, saying, “We’re not talking about a majority. Either we win a mandate or [the Liberals] win a mandate and that will make all the difference whether this country gets through this period or dives into a recession.”

The election took place on Oct. 14, with advance voting starting on Oct. 6. The ballot resulted in another minority government for the Conservative party, led by incumbent prime minister Stephen Harper. This marks Canada’s third minority government in a row—a first since 1965.

The Tories finished in first place with 37.6 per cent of all cast ballots and 143 seats in the 308-member House of Commons, followed by the Liberal party with 26.2 per cent and 76 mandates—the second worst showing in a Canadian federal election for the Grits.

The Bloc Québécois garnered 10 per cent of the vote and 50 seats, followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 18.2 per cent and 37 mandates. The Green party received 6.8 per cent of the vote but did not elect a single member to the legislature. Two independent candidates—former Conservative Bill Casey and André Arthur—were elected.

Liberal support dropped to its lowest level since the election of 1867, and will lead to a third change of leadership in the party in five years. In turn, while they did not significantly enhance their share of the popular vote compared to the previous election, the Tories climbed to within a dozen seats of the 155 seats they require to form a majority government.

Following the election, Conservative leader and Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper declared: “Regardless of how you voted, know that we will form an inclusive and responsive government that protects the interests of all Canadians in all communities of this country. (...) It is the time for us all to put aside political differences and partisan considerations and to work co-operatively.”

Liberal leader Stéphane Dion conceded defeat, saying, “We Liberals will do our part, responsibly, to make sure that this Parliament works. It is clear that our economy, indeed the global economic crisis, is the most important issue facing our country at this time.”

NDP leader Jack Layton reinforced the notion that a minority government cannot rule in the same fashion as a majority administration, stating, “No party has a mandate to implement an agenda without agreement from the other parties.”

Green Party leader Elizabeth May said that she intends to run again, adding, “My personal preference is to remain as leader and continue to be a voice for change because I think Canadians find my voice interesting and refreshing.”

According to Elections Canada, a record low 59.1 per cent of eligible Canadian voters cast their ballots in this year’s election, breaking the previous 2005 rate of just under 61 per cent. NDP lawmaker Libby Davies said the voter turnout is problematic, adding, “It should concern all of us, no matter which party we’re in.”

Political Players

Queen: Elizabeth II
Governor-General: Michäelle Jean
Prime minister: Stephen Harper - Con.

Legislative Branch: The Parliament of Canada / Parlement du Canada has two chambers. The House of Commons / Chambre des Communes has 308 members, elected to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies. The Senate / Sénat has 105 appointed members.

Results of Last Election:

House of Commons - Oct. 14, 2008

	Vote%	Seats
Conservative Party of Canada / Parti Conservateur du Canada (Con.)	37.6%	143
Liberal Party of Canada / Parti Libéral du Canada (Lib.)	26.2%	76
New Democratic Party / Nouveau Parti Démocratique (NDP)	18.2%	37
Bloc Québécois (BQ)	10.0%	50
Green Party of Canada / Parti Vert du Canada (GPC)	6.8%	--
Independents	0.7%	2
Other parties	0.5%	--

 

 

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