The Canadian federal election, 2004 (more formally, the 38th General Election), was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the House of Commons of Canada of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime MinisterPaul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections. The main opposition party, the newly amalgamated Conservative Party of Canada, improved its position but with a showing below its expectations.
On May 23, 2004, Governor GeneralAdrienne Clarkson, on the advice of Martin, ordered the dissolution of the House of Commons. Following a 36-day campaign, voters elected 308 Members of the House of Commons.
All three major national parties had changed their leaders since the 2000 election. Earlier the election was widely expected to be a relatively easy romp for Martin to a fourth consecutive Liberal majority government, but early in 2004 Liberal popularity fell sharply due to the sponsorship scandal. Polls started to indicate the possibility of a minority government for the Liberals, or even a minority Conservative government, fuelling speculation of coalitions with the other parties. In the end, the Liberals fared better than the final opinion polls had led them to fear, but well short of a majority.
The election call resulted in the cancellation of four federal by-elections that had been scheduled to occur in September.
Background
In 2007, Parliament passed a law fixing federal election dates every four years and scheduling the next election date as October 19, 2009, but the law does not (and constitutionally cannot) limit the powers of the Governor General to dissolve Parliament at any time, such as when opposition parties bring down the government on a vote of confidence. In this election there was no loss of a non-confidence vote, but the Prime Minister asked the Governor General to call an election. The Governor General granted the Prime Minister's request.
The Canadian federal election of 1911 was held on September 21 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 12th Parliament of Canada. The central issue was Liberal support for a proposed treaty with the U.S that would have lowered tariffs. The Conservatives denounced it because it threatened to weaken ties with Britain and submerge the Canadian economy—and Canadian identity—into its big neighbour. The Conservatives won and Robert Borden became prime minister. The idea of a Canadian Navy was also an issue. The election ended 15 years of government by the Liberal Party of Wilfrid Laurier.
Navy
The Liberal government was caught up in a debate over the naval arms race between the British Empire and Germany. Laurier attempted a compromise by starting up the Canadian Navy (now the Royal Canadian Navy), but this failed to appease either the French or English Canadians; the former who refused giving any aid, while the latter suggested sending money directly to Britain. After the election, the Conservatives drew up a bill for naval contributions to the British, but it was held up by a lengthy Liberal filibuster before being passed by invoking closure, then it was struck down by the Liberal-controlled Senate.
Since the previous election of 1997, small-"c" conservatives had begun attempts to merge the Reform Party of Canada and Progressive Conservative Party of Canada as part of the United Alternative agenda. During that time, Jean Charest stepped down as leader of the Progressive Conservatives and former Prime MinisterJoe Clark took over the party and opposed any union with the Reform Party. In spring of 2000, the Reform Party became the Canadian Alliance, a political party dedicated to uniting right-wing conservatives together into one party. Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning lost in a leadership race to Stockwell Day who became leader of the new Canadian Alliance party.
The federal government called an early election after being in office for just over three years (with a maximum allowed mandate of five years). The governing Liberal Party of Canada won a third consecutive majority government, winning more seats than the previous election. The Canadian Alliance made some minor gains, such as electing two Members of Parliament (MPs) from the province of Ontario. The Bloc Québécois, New Democratic Party (Canada) and the PC Party all lost seats. As the 1993 and 1997 federal elections involved vote-splitting between the Reform Party and the PC Party, the situation was repeated again between the Alliance and the PC Party, which in Canada's First Past the Post system allowed many Liberal candidates with a plurality of votes to win.
A discussion of the issues surrounding the 2008 Canadian federal election and interim election results.
CH TV News Special
http://www.NickBontis.com
http://www.facebook.com/NickBontis
http://www.twitter.com/NickBontis
.
published: 25 Jan 2010
RMR: Federal Election Recap
Taking a look at one of the more outstanding upsets in the 2008 Federal Election.
published: 22 Oct 2008
2008 Canadian Federal Election
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on October 14, 2008, to elect members to the House of Commons of Canada of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by Governor General Michaëlle Jean on September 7, 2008. The election call led to the cancellation of four federal by-elections that had been scheduled to occur in September.
published: 22 Sep 2021
Young voters in Canada's 2008 federal election
Every election, Canadian politicians always talk about engaging young voters. But is it working this time around? Tom Stoukas went to Centennial College in Toronto to find out.
runs 1:28
published: 26 Jan 2009
2008 Canadian Federal Election' Debate
Visit http://CanuckPolitics.com for more.
October 2, 2008
2008 Federal Leaders' Debate
Stephen Harper
Stéphane Dion
Jack Layton
Elizabeth May
Gilles Duceppe
40th Canadian General Election
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federal_election,_2008
published: 23 Jul 2015
CUPE member Susan Schmidt on the 2008 federal election
CUPE member Susan Schmidt talks about the patchwork of regulations for elder care.
published: 17 Sep 2008
CUPE member Chantell Gillis on the 2008 federal election
CUPE member Chantell Gillis explains how Canada needs to invest in post-secondary education in order to protect our economy.
published: 18 Sep 2008
CUPE member Barb Moore on the 2008 federal election
CUPE member Barb Moore talks about the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. http://cupe.ca/election/
published: 01 Oct 2008
Student Vote 2008 CBC Promo
This is a promotion that ran on CBC during the 2008 Federal Election to promote Student Vote.
published: 20 Jan 2011
CUPE member Frank de Waard on the 2008 federal election
CUPE member Frank de Waard speaks about public health care and long-term care in the context of the federal election.
A discussion of the issues surrounding the 2008 Canadian federal election and interim election results.
CH TV News Special
http://www.NickBontis.com
http...
A discussion of the issues surrounding the 2008 Canadian federal election and interim election results.
CH TV News Special
http://www.NickBontis.com
http://www.facebook.com/NickBontis
http://www.twitter.com/NickBontis
.
A discussion of the issues surrounding the 2008 Canadian federal election and interim election results.
CH TV News Special
http://www.NickBontis.com
http://www.facebook.com/NickBontis
http://www.twitter.com/NickBontis
.
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on October 14, 2008, to elect members to the House of Commons of Canada of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the ...
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on October 14, 2008, to elect members to the House of Commons of Canada of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by Governor General Michaëlle Jean on September 7, 2008. The election call led to the cancellation of four federal by-elections that had been scheduled to occur in September.
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on October 14, 2008, to elect members to the House of Commons of Canada of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by Governor General Michaëlle Jean on September 7, 2008. The election call led to the cancellation of four federal by-elections that had been scheduled to occur in September.
Every election, Canadian politicians always talk about engaging young voters. But is it working this time around? Tom Stoukas went to Centennial College in Toro...
Every election, Canadian politicians always talk about engaging young voters. But is it working this time around? Tom Stoukas went to Centennial College in Toronto to find out.
runs 1:28
Every election, Canadian politicians always talk about engaging young voters. But is it working this time around? Tom Stoukas went to Centennial College in Toronto to find out.
runs 1:28
Visit http://CanuckPolitics.com for more.
October 2, 2008
2008 Federal Leaders' Debate
Stephen Harper
Stéphane Dion
Jack Layton
Elizabeth May
Gilles Duceppe
...
Visit http://CanuckPolitics.com for more.
October 2, 2008
2008 Federal Leaders' Debate
Stephen Harper
Stéphane Dion
Jack Layton
Elizabeth May
Gilles Duceppe
40th Canadian General Election
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federal_election,_2008
Visit http://CanuckPolitics.com for more.
October 2, 2008
2008 Federal Leaders' Debate
Stephen Harper
Stéphane Dion
Jack Layton
Elizabeth May
Gilles Duceppe
40th Canadian General Election
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federal_election,_2008
A discussion of the issues surrounding the 2008 Canadian federal election and interim election results.
CH TV News Special
http://www.NickBontis.com
http://www.facebook.com/NickBontis
http://www.twitter.com/NickBontis
.
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on October 14, 2008, to elect members to the House of Commons of Canada of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by Governor General Michaëlle Jean on September 7, 2008. The election call led to the cancellation of four federal by-elections that had been scheduled to occur in September.
Every election, Canadian politicians always talk about engaging young voters. But is it working this time around? Tom Stoukas went to Centennial College in Toronto to find out.
runs 1:28
Visit http://CanuckPolitics.com for more.
October 2, 2008
2008 Federal Leaders' Debate
Stephen Harper
Stéphane Dion
Jack Layton
Elizabeth May
Gilles Duceppe
40th Canadian General Election
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federal_election,_2008
The Canadian federal election, 2004 (more formally, the 38th General Election), was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the House of Commons of Canada of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime MinisterPaul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections. The main opposition party, the newly amalgamated Conservative Party of Canada, improved its position but with a showing below its expectations.
On May 23, 2004, Governor GeneralAdrienne Clarkson, on the advice of Martin, ordered the dissolution of the House of Commons. Following a 36-day campaign, voters elected 308 Members of the House of Commons.
All three major national parties had changed their leaders since the 2000 election. Earlier the election was widely expected to be a relatively easy romp for Martin to a fourth consecutive Liberal majority government, but early in 2004 Liberal popularity fell sharply due to the sponsorship scandal. Polls started to indicate the possibility of a minority government for the Liberals, or even a minority Conservative government, fuelling speculation of coalitions with the other parties. In the end, the Liberals fared better than the final opinion polls had led them to fear, but well short of a majority.