Canadian federal election of 1997

The Canadian federal election of 1997 is held the June 2nd 1997 in order to elect the deputies of the 36e legislature with the House of Commons of Canada. The Liberal party of Canada, directed by Jean Chrétien, gains a majority second mandate. The Parti reformist Canada replaces the Québécois Bloc as a Official opposition.

The election reproduces closely the tendencies established at the time of the election of 1993. The liberals make a sweeping of the Ontario, the divided bloquists gain a majority (reduced) with the Quebec, and most of the Western is gained by the reformists, particularly in Alberta, making it possible the party to replace the Block as a second party in importance in Room.

A major change however: the New Democratic party (NPD) and the Parti progressist-conservative Canada almost entirely eliminate the Liberal party in the Provinces from the Atlantic (only the Island-of-Prince-Edouard remains with the hands of the liberals). The Atlantic voters, dissatisfied with the cuts to insurance-employment and other programs, make fall two ministers. David Dingwall, public Minister for Labor, in Nova Scotia, and Doug Young, Minister for National defense, with the New Brunswick, are both demolished by candidates néo-democrats, which constitutes a major reverse for the liberals.

When the election is started, several commentators note that it puts an end to the second majority mandate shortest of the Canadian history; only the mandate of Wilfrid Laurier of 1908 with 1911 lasted less time. The decision of Christian to start an anticipated election is interpreted like cynicism by some, the Manitoba still not being given of the floods of the Red Rivière earlier in the year. reg. Alcock and several others within the Liberal party had been opposed to the moment chosen for the vote, and the disappointing results push the partisans of Paul Martin to be organized against Chrétien.

Several commentators, the evening of the election, even predict that the liberals would be reduced to a Minority government, although it is clear that none the opposition parties can gain a plurality of seats. The liberals succeed in gaining a majority of 4 seats thanks to some profits in Quebec at the expense of the Block, but they finish all the same in less good position that in 1993 because of the losses in Atlantic Canada. Mainly thanks to these profits, the tories of Jean Charest and the néo-democrats of Alexa McDonough find both their statute of official party to the House of Commons. The independent deputy John Nunziata, which had been expelled of the Liberal party to be itself opposite with the Taxe on the products and services, is re-elected in his Toronto-native district.

If 718 votes in 5 districts different (Bonavista-Trinity-Design, 286 votes; Simcoe-Grey, 241 votes; Humber-St. Green Bore-bay, 117 votes; Cardigan, 50 votes; and Bellechasse-Etchemins-Montmagny-L' Islet, 24 votes) had gone to the candidate of second place (NPD, ref., PC, PC, and BQ respectively) instead of going to the liberals, those would have been found in situation of minority government.

Results

Country

Rate of participation accounts for 67,0% of the recorded voters, one of low the levels ever reached to the federal one.

By province

Source: Canada elections

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