CANADA HISTORY - Elections

The Canadian Federal Election of 1The 1867 federal election in Canada marked the first national election after the Confederation, creating the Dominion of Canada. This election laid the foundation for the political system and governance that would guide the country’s development for years to come. Held on August 7, 1867, the election featured four primary political factions: the Conservative Party, led by John A. Macdonald; the Liberal Party, led by George Brown; the Clear Grits, a more radical faction also connected to Brown; and the Parti bleu, led by George-Étienne Cartier. Each of these parties represented different regional, cultural, and political interests, and the election itself set the stage for the political alignment of the newly formed Canadian state.

Formation of the Dominion and the 1867 Election Context
Canada's first election came on the heels of the passage of the British North America Act in 1867, which united the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into a federal union under the name the "Dominion of Canada." This union was conceived out of necessity: the British North American colonies had long been vulnerable to external threats from the United States and were also in need of a more organized and coordinated system of governance. The Confederation was seen as the solution to these issues, creating a new federal system with two levels of government — federal and provincial — that would share powers as outlined in the Constitution.

The election was held to choose representatives to the newly established House of Commons, which would become the federal parliament of Canada. The new electoral system was an extension of the British parliamentary tradition, with seats being contested in a “first-past-the-post” system across the various ridings of the Dominion.

The Main Parties and Their Platforms The main parties in the 1867 election each reflected different political and regional interests:

The Conservative Party: Led by John A. Macdonald, the Conservatives were the driving force behind Confederation. Macdonald's platform focused on the union of the provinces and the creation of a strong central government, which he believed was crucial to the new country’s survival. Macdonald also championed the construction of a transcontinental railway that would bind the provinces together economically and politically, fostering nation-building. His platform argued that the federal government should have the preeminent role in managing national affairs, while still allowing the provinces to handle local matters.

The Liberal Party: Led by George Brown, the Liberals advocated for a greater degree of provincial autonomy and were wary of centralization. They feared that a powerful federal government would overstep its bounds, particularly in areas that the provinces could better manage themselves. Brown and the Liberals supported Confederation in principle but sought stronger guarantees that the provinces would maintain control over education, infrastructure, and other internal matters.

The Clear Grits: A faction of the Liberal Party, the Clear Grits represented the more radical wing of Brown’s movement. They were primarily based in Ontario and called for reforms to the political system, including more democratic representation and an expansion of voters’ rights. Though they were aligned with the Liberals on many issues, they diverged on the extent to which the federal government should hold power over provincial matters.

The Parti bleu: Led by George-Étienne Cartier, the Parti bleu was the dominant political force in Quebec. They supported Confederation but were deeply committed to protecting the rights and culture of French Canadians within the new federal framework. Cartier, a key architect of Confederation alongside Macdonald, believed in working within the new political structure to ensure that Quebec retained significant autonomy over its internal affairs, particularly in matters of language, religion, and education.

Key Issues in the 1867 Election Several critical issues defined the 1867 federal election, reflecting the concerns of a newly unified Canada:

Union of the British North American Colonies: Confederation was the central issue in the election, as voters were deciding on the structure of the new nation. Macdonald and the Conservatives argued that a strong, centralized federal government was the best way to ensure the survival and prosperity of the new Dominion. The Liberals, in contrast, wanted greater assurances that provincial governments would retain significant powers.

Establishment of a Central Government: The question of how much power the federal government would hold, and how much autonomy the provinces would maintain, was hotly debated. The Conservatives argued for a robust federal government that could coordinate national issues like defense and trade, while the Liberals sought a looser federation that would prioritize provincial independence.

The Transcontinental Railway: The Conservative vision of a transcontinental railway was a significant aspect of their platform. Macdonald believed that a railway was essential for linking the scattered provinces and territories of Canada, promoting economic growth, and solidifying Canadian sovereignty, especially in the face of possible American expansionism. The railway would connect British Columbia and the western territories to central Canada, thereby fostering economic development and political unity.

French-English Relations: The tension between French-speaking Quebec and English-speaking Ontario was already a prominent issue in 1867. The Parti bleu, under Cartier, sought to reassure Quebec’s French-speaking population that Confederation would not result in the erosion of their language and culture. Macdonald and Cartier worked together to balance federal authority with provincial autonomy, particularly to protect Quebec’s unique cultural and linguistic identity within the new political framework.

Election Outcome and Political Impact
The Conservative Party, led by John A. Macdonald, won the 1867 election with a clear majority, securing 100 of the 181 seats in the House of Commons. This victory allowed Macdonald to form Canada’s first government and become the country's first Prime Minister. The Liberals, led by George Brown, won 62 seats, but their influence was limited as Macdonald’s Conservative Party dominated both the House of Commons and the Senate.

The Parti bleu won 16 seats, reflecting its strong support base in Quebec. Its close alliance with Macdonald’s Conservatives played a crucial role in stabilizing French-English relations in the early years of Confederation, as Cartier’s leadership reassured Quebecers that their interests would be protected.

One notable outcome of the election was the low voter turnout, with only about 45% of eligible voters casting ballots. The timing of the election during harvest season likely contributed to this, as many rural voters were unable to participate. Despite this, the 1867 election marked the beginning of a new era in Canadian politics.

Significance of the 1867 Election
The 1867 federal election was a watershed moment in Canadian history, as it represented the first step in building a new political structure that would govern the Dominion of Canada. The election confirmed the creation of a centralized federal government, while also acknowledging the unique regional and linguistic identities of the provinces, particularly Quebec.

Macdonald’s victory also established the Conservative Party as the dominant political force in the early years of Confederation, shaping Canada’s political trajectory. His emphasis on a strong federal government, economic development through infrastructure projects like the railway, and close relations between French and English Canadians set the tone for the nation-building efforts that would follow.

The election also highlighted the challenge of balancing federal authority with provincial autonomy, a theme that would persist throughout Canadian history. While the Conservatives had won a majority, the Liberals’ concerns about provincial powers remained relevant and would continue to shape political discourse in Canada for years to come.

In conclusion, the 1867 federal election was much more than a contest for political power—it was a referendum on the future of the Dominion of Canada itself. The election results reflected the early divisions between federal and provincial interests, French and English Canadians, and rural and urban voters. It set the stage for Canada’s development as a nation and began the process of creating a unified, yet diverse, country that would grow and evolve over the following decades.