Canadian Election Series

The anti-socialist vote was heavily divided, resulting in an increased CCF majority

CCF: 45% (+3%), 151 seats (+15)
Liberal: 22% (-3%), 67 seats (+11)
Unionist: 19% (-10%), 21 seats, (-40)
Social Credit: 14% (+10%), 26 seats, (+17)

CCF garnered an increased majority, but their relative weakness in Quebec and Ontario stopped them from getting a landslide. The main story of the election though was the collapse of the Tories, whose relatively even support worked against them and the more concentrated Liberal, CCF, and Socred support. The Unionists were left with a modest Maritime caucus, a few well to do seats in Toronto and Montreal, and a smattering of hardline Protestant seats in rural Ontario. Drew managed to hold onto his seat, but resigned the leadership on election night.

Although the Liberals declined in support, their main competition was the Tories. They managed a sizeable increase in their caucus. Social Credit also managed a record result, but their were hindered by their regionally concentrated support, racking up massive wins in Alberta, and distant losses in most of the rest of Canada. However they did manage a breakthrough in British Columbia, where they more or less replaced the Tories as the main right wing party, as well as taking some of the more populist CCF voters.

All three opposition parties had leadership elections in the next couple of years. Donald Fleming defeated William Rowe, signalling a return to pro-business orthodoxy in the party. Paul Martin was defeated in his second run at the leadership of the Liberal party, losing handily to the young reformist, Jean Lesage. In a surprise upset, Solon Low defeated popular Premier of Alberta Ernest Manning for the Socred leadership. Manning promised to “normalize the party”, and abandon their social credit economics to focus on social conservatism and populism, but the party base rejected this tact.

Donald Fleming: 56.2%
William Rowe: 43.8%

~~Paul Martin: 47.2%, 41.2%~~
Jean Lesage: 33.3%, 58.8%
~~Eric Kierans: 19.5%~~

Solon Low: 58.8%
Ernest Manning: 41.2%

The CCF government was popular and the opposition was in disarray, but with new leaders, and the government entering it’s third term, the opposition finally managed to gain some headway. As demand for the new National Health Service increased, so did the need for funds. The government ran surprise deficits in 1954 and 1955 as increased expenditure outpaced revenue growth. Looking for new sources of revenue, Gillis turned his eyes to the TransCanada pipeline being developed by an American consortium and introduced legislation to nationalize it.

This caused an outcry among the Liberals, Unionists and Social Credit who attempted to filibuster the bill, aware that parliamentary approval had to be in place by the end of May in order to get the necessary financing to go forward with the nationalization. This was to no avail, after the CCF speaker ended debate prematurely, sparking more outcry from the opposition parties.

The previously squeaky clean CCF also became embroiled in scandal after news emerged from the USA that a CCF appointed ambassador had ties with communist groups, further increasing their vulnerabilities on foreign policy. As the election of 1957 began, the CCF were still leading the polls, but their previous invincibility was gone:

CCF
Although the CCF has declined in popularity recently, much of their core message is still popular. The CCF are arguing that only they can be trusted to defend the health system against the Tories and Social Credit. Gillis is arguing that the government is wise to nationalize the new pipeline because it will be quite profitable and will be able to finance increased expenditures on health.

Liberal
The Liberals opted for social liberal Jean Lesage as their new leader. Lesage has opted to make the Liberals into a very socially liberal party and is promising to legalize divorce and abortion if elected. Fiscally, the Liberals are a broad church with a wide variety of economic views.

Unionist
Under their new leader, Bay Street lawyer Donald Fleming, the Unionists have shifted back to free market orthodoxy. They are attacking the CCF for being poor fiscal managers, and are focusing on the nationalization bill in particular. Fleming is promising that if elected, the business community can be sure his government will remove the “uncertainty” of CCF governments.

Social Credit
After longtime leader Blackmore retired, Social Credit opted to continue focusing on social credit economics. New leader Solon Low is promising a national dividend if elected, but is spending most of his time attacking Gillis for his “commie” appointees.

Given that the forum will be lightly trafficked through Christmas, this election will go for one week.

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