CANADA HISTORY - Elections

The Canadian federal election of 1878 marked a critical turning point in the nation’s political history, both in terms of policy and leadership. Held on September 17, 1878, this fourth federal election since Confederation became a contest between two prominent political parties: the Conservative Party, led by Sir John A. Macdonald, and the Liberal Party, led by Edward Blake. The election was largely defined by the debate between protectionism and free trade, government accountability, and national infrastructure projects, particularly the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).

Background and Context
The 1878 election took place against the backdrop of significant political and economic developments in post-Confederation Canada. The economic policy debate over protectionism versus free trade was already well established by this point, and it had been a central issue in the previous election as well. The Conservatives under Macdonald had lost the 1874 election after the Pacific Scandal, in which the Conservative government was accused of accepting bribes related to the construction of the CPR. This scandal resulted in the fall of Macdonald’s government and tarnished his reputation, paving the way for Alexander Mackenzie’s Liberals to take power.

However, by 1878, the political landscape had shifted again. The economic downturn in the late 1870s created dissatisfaction with Mackenzie’s Liberal government, which had pursued a free trade policy and prioritized fiscal restraint. In contrast, Macdonald’s Conservatives promised a bolder vision: a "National Policy" that emphasized economic protectionism, high tariffs to protect Canadian industries from foreign competition, and ambitious infrastructure projects like the CPR to foster national unity and economic growth. These issues became the central focus of the 1878 election campaign, making the election pivotal for the future direction of the country.

The Main Issues: Protectionism vs. Free Trade
The dominant issue in the 1878 election was the stark contrast in economic policy between the two major parties. Macdonald’s Conservatives campaigned vigorously on their National Policy, which promised to impose high tariffs on imported goods, particularly from the United States, in order to protect Canadian industries. Macdonald argued that Canada needed to support its fledgling industries against foreign competition, which would allow the country to industrialize, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. This policy of protectionism appealed to many industrialists and manufacturers in Central Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec, who felt threatened by the flood of cheaper American goods.

On the other hand, the Liberals, led by Edward Blake, ran on a platform of free trade and lower tariffs, believing that this approach would benefit Canadian farmers and consumers by providing access to cheaper goods. Blake argued that protectionism would raise the cost of living for ordinary Canadians and stifle international trade, which was vital for the agricultural sector, especially in Western Canada. The Liberals’ stance on free trade was rooted in the belief that Canada should be an open economy, one that could compete on the global stage rather than retreating behind protective barriers. This issue of economic policy was crucial to the election, as both parties presented sharply different visions for the country's future prosperity.

Government Accountability and Transparency
Another major issue that dominated the campaign was government accountability and transparency. The Pacific Scandal of 1873 had rocked Canadian politics and brought down Macdonald’s government, which the Liberals capitalized on in the previous election. The Liberals promised to clean up corruption and provide greater public oversight of government operations. While this platform had helped the Liberals win in 1874, by 1878, their focus on fiscal conservatism and limited government spending had lost some of its appeal, especially in light of economic difficulties that plagued the country during Mackenzie’s term.

Edward Blake positioned his party as a defender of good governance and integrity, promising to reform government practices and prevent corruption. However, despite these promises, the economic downturn and the Liberals' inability to foster economic growth became a significant disadvantage. The Conservatives, under Macdonald, deflected much of the criticism about the Pacific Scandal and focused instead on presenting their National Policy as the solution to Canada’s economic woes.

The Role of Infrastructure and the Canadian Pacific Railway
The election also focused heavily on the issue of national infrastructure, particularly the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). The CPR was seen as a critical project that would unite the country from coast to coast, facilitating trade, military mobility, and national unity. Both the Liberals and the Conservatives understood the importance of the railway, but they differed on how best to implement it. The Conservatives, particularly Macdonald, promised to resume the ambitious construction of the CPR as part of their broader nation-building agenda. Macdonald framed the railway as not only a practical necessity for trade and transportation but also as a symbol of Canadian unity.

The Liberals, under Blake, also supported the idea of completing the railway but were more cautious about the financial implications and the scale of the project. Mackenzie’s government had been criticized for its slower approach to the CPR, which further fueled voter dissatisfaction. Many voters, particularly in Western Canada, saw the completion of the CPR as essential to economic development, trade, and settlement in the western provinces, giving Macdonald's promises considerable appeal.

The Election Campaign and Results
Both party leaders campaigned vigorously across the country in an effort to sway voters. Macdonald focused much of his attention on Ontario and Quebec, where he believed his National Policy would resonate most strongly. His speeches emphasized protectionism, national infrastructure projects like the CPR, and the need for Canada to assert its economic independence from the United States. Macdonald also campaigned in Western Canada, which was becoming a more prominent region politically and economically, and promised to extend the CPR to unite the country from east to west.

Blake, meanwhile, concentrated his efforts on the traditional Liberal strongholds in Ontario and Quebec, where he promoted the benefits of free trade and warned that protectionism would hurt Canadian farmers and consumers by raising prices. Blake was a skilled orator and delivered many passionate speeches, but his message of economic restraint and lower tariffs did not resonate as well as the Conservatives' bold promises of protectionism and national unity through the railway.

The election results were decisive. The Conservatives won a majority in the House of Commons, securing 134 of the 206 seats. The Liberals won 63 seats, while the remaining 9 seats went to independent candidates. The Conservative victory marked the return of John A. Macdonald to power and solidified his reputation as one of Canada’s most successful and influential political leaders. The election reaffirmed the importance of economic policy and government accountability in Canadian politics, and it positioned the Conservatives as the dominant political force for years to come.

Significance of the 1878 Election
The 1878 election was significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it marked the resurgence of the Conservative Party and the re-establishment of Sir John A. Macdonald as a dominant political leader in Canadian history. After suffering a major setback in 1874 due to the Pacific Scandal, Macdonald was able to recover and successfully guide his party back to power. His victory in 1878 demonstrated his political resilience and strategic acumen, as well as the enduring appeal of his National Policy of protectionism and nation-building.

The election also highlighted the growing importance of economic policy in Canadian politics. The debate between protectionism and free trade would continue to shape Canadian political discourse for decades, influencing subsequent elections and governments. Moreover, the 1878 election reinforced the significance of government transparency and accountability, as the aftermath of the Pacific Scandal continued to linger in the public consciousness.

Another notable aspect of the 1878 election was the role of technology in disseminating political information. The use of the telegraph and the printing press allowed political parties to communicate more effectively with voters, helping to shape public opinion on a national scale. These advancements marked the beginning of a new era in Canadian political campaigning, one where information could be spread more widely and quickly than ever before.

Results
The Canadian federal election of 1878 was a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, shaping the future of Canadian politics and setting the stage for the economic and political challenges of the coming decades. The election brought the Conservative Party and Sir John A. Macdonald back to power, affirming his vision of Canada’s economic development through protectionism and national infrastructure projects. It also underscored the importance of issues such as government accountability and transparency, which continued to resonate with voters. As one of Canada’s early electoral milestones, the 1878 election helped solidify the foundations of the country’s political landscape and played a crucial role in the ongoing process of nation-building.