The 1917 federal election in Canada stands out as one of the most divisive and dramatic elections in Canadian history. It was held on December 17, 1917, during the height of World War I and at a time when the country was deeply divided over the issue of conscription, a policy that forced men into military service. The election would not only determine the direction of Canada’s war effort but also reveal a schism between English and French Canadians that would leave lasting political repercussions. In this essay, we will explore the political situation leading up to the election, the leaders and parties involved, the central issues of the campaign, the strategies employed by each party, the election's outcome, and its aftermath.
Political Situation Before the Election
Before the 1917 election, Canada was embroiled in World War I, having entered the conflict as part of the British Empire in 1914. By 1916 and 1917, the war had taken a severe toll on Canadian soldiers, and battlefield casualties were mounting. The issue of reinforcing Canadian troops in Europe became critical as the war dragged on and the need for manpower grew.
Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden, leader of the Conservative Party (also known as the Unionist Party in this election), had been at the helm of the government since 1911. Initially, Borden's government maintained a voluntary recruitment system for the war effort. However, the realities of war, especially after the devastating losses at battles such as the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele, made it clear that voluntary enlistment was insufficient. With the demand for reinforcements growing, Borden reluctantly concluded that conscription—compulsory military service—was necessary to sustain Canada’s contribution to the war.
This decision set off a political crisis. While English Canadians, particularly in Ontario and the western provinces, largely supported conscription, French Canadians, especially in Quebec, strongly opposed it. French Canadians, led by nationalist politician Henri Bourassa, believed they had no obligation to fight in a war for the British Empire. The issue of conscription threatened to tear the country apart.
Borden faced mounting pressure and sought to create a "Union government" to address the issue of conscription and to ensure that Canada could continue to meet its war obligations. To achieve this, he sought to unite his Conservative Party with pro-conscription Liberals and independents. Wilfrid Laurier, leader of the Liberal Party and former prime minister, rejected Borden's proposal for a coalition government. Laurier’s refusal stemmed from his concern that supporting conscription would alienate Quebec and divide his party. This refusal solidified the political lines that would define the election.
Leaders and Parties
The 1917 election was essentially a two-party contest between Robert Borden’s Unionist Party and Wilfrid Laurier’s Liberals. However, the election fractured the traditional party system, and the key issue of conscription created unusual political alliances.
Sir Robert Borden (Unionist Party): Borden, the incumbent prime minister, led the Unionist Party, which was a coalition of his Conservatives and pro-conscription Liberals. He had gained prominence for his leadership during the war and was determined to secure conscription to bolster Canada’s military forces. His platform was centered on winning the war at any cost, which made conscription the defining issue of his campaign.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Liberal Party): Laurier, a veteran of Canadian politics and prime minister from 1896 to 1911, led the Liberal Party. His party was divided between pro-conscription Liberals (many of whom defected to Borden) and anti-conscription Liberals, mostly from Quebec. Laurier’s platform opposed conscription and advocated for continued voluntary enlistment. He tried to balance national unity with the war effort, but his opposition to conscription placed him at odds with much of English Canada.
Issues of the Election
The overriding issue of the 1917 election was conscription, but this issue encompassed broader questions of national identity, the war effort, and the relationship between English and French Canada.
Conscription: Borden’s government had introduced the Military Service Act in 1917, which imposed conscription. This act was hugely unpopular in Quebec, where the French-speaking population had little interest in fighting for Britain. The conscription debate inflamed long-standing tensions between English and French Canadians, with many in Quebec feeling marginalized and disconnected from Canada’s war aims.
National Unity: The conscription crisis highlighted the fragile nature of Canadian unity, especially between Quebec and the rest of Canada. The election forced Canadians to confront their divided loyalties: to Britain, to the war effort, and to their own regional and cultural identities.
The War Effort: With the war’s outcome uncertain, Borden’s Unionist government argued that conscription was essential to ensuring victory and supporting the British Empire. Laurier’s Liberals contended that Canada had already contributed enough and that voluntary enlistment could continue to provide reinforcements.
Campaign Strategy
The campaign was intense and bitter, with both sides employing aggressive strategies to sway voters.
Borden and the Unionists: Borden’s strategy focused heavily on patriotism and the need for Canada to do its part in the war. His Unionist Party was able to secure support from prominent pro-conscription Liberals, particularly in English-speaking provinces. The Unionists also implemented controversial measures such as the Military Voters Act and the Wartime Elections Act. The Military Voters Act allowed soldiers overseas to vote, including nurses and other military personnel, ensuring that those who were fighting on the front lines would have a say in the election. The Wartime Elections Act gave the vote to female relatives of soldiers but disenfranchised conscientious objectors and immigrants from enemy countries, skewing the electorate in favor of Borden’s Unionists.
Laurier and the Liberals: Laurier’s campaign was more complex, as he needed to appeal to both anti-conscription voters in Quebec and pro-war voters in English Canada. His strategy was to frame the election as a choice between voluntary service and forced conscription, emphasizing the need for national unity. However, Laurier struggled to retain the support of his English-speaking base, many of whom defected to Borden’s Unionists.
Campaign Events and Significant Issues
The election was conducted under the shadow of the ongoing war, and emotions were running high on both sides. Conscription dominated the debates and rallies, but other issues, such as wartime economic measures and the future of Canadian autonomy, also surfaced.
Borden’s use of the Wartime Elections Act and the Military Voters Act was controversial, with critics accusing him of rigging the electorate in his favor. By enfranchising soldiers and women related to soldiers, Borden increased his voter base. Additionally, the disenfranchisement of recent immigrants and objectors ensured that groups likely to oppose conscription were silenced.
In Quebec, the anti-conscription sentiment was fierce. Laurier’s message resonated with Quebec voters, who overwhelmingly opposed sending more troops to fight in what they saw as a British war. However, this stance alienated Laurier in much of English Canada, where support for the war effort was stronger.
Election Day and Results
The election took place on December 17, 1917, and saw a clear divide between English and French Canada. The Unionists, led by Borden, won a decisive victory, securing 153 seats in the House of Commons compared to the Liberals’ 82 seats. However, the victory was not uniform across the country.
English Canada: Borden’s Unionists swept most of English Canada, winning almost all the seats in Ontario and the western provinces. The use of military votes and female relatives of soldiers further boosted their success in these areas.
Quebec: Laurier’s Liberals dominated in Quebec, where the anti-conscription sentiment was strongest. The province overwhelmingly rejected Borden’s conscription policy, and the Liberals won most of Quebec’s seats.
Despite the deep divisions, Borden’s Unionist government was returned to power with a clear mandate to continue the war effort, including the implementation of conscription.
Aftermath of the Election
The 1917 federal election had profound and lasting consequences for Canada. The immediate result was the implementation of conscription, which led to widespread unrest, particularly in Quebec. The Conscription Crisis of 1917 further strained relations between French and English Canadians, creating a rift that would take decades to heal.
For Borden, the victory solidified his leadership during a critical period in Canadian history. His government successfully continued the war effort, and Canada emerged from World War I with an enhanced international standing. However, the political cost was high. The Liberal Party, once a unified force, was left deeply fractured. Laurier’s defeat marked the end of his long political career, and the divisions within the Liberal Party would persist for years.
The election also set a precedent for government intervention in the electoral process. The use of the Military Voters Act and Wartime Elections Act to shape the electorate was controversial, raising questions about democratic fairness during times of national crisis.
Ultimately, the 1917 federal election demonstrated the deep divisions in Canadian society over issues of war, conscription, and national unity. It remains a pivotal moment in Canadian history, reflecting the challenges of maintaining a cohesive nation during a time of global conflict.
Election Party |
Elected Members | # of Candidates | % of Popular Vote | % of Seats |
---|---|---|---|---|
1917 (December 17) - Turnout: 75.0 % | ||||
Conservative | 153 | 57.0 % | 65.1 % | |
Liberal | 82 | 40.1 % | 34.9 % | |
Other | 2.9 % | 0.0 % | ||
Total | 235 | 470 | ||
Government--153, Opposition--82, Majority--71 |
Total - 221 | Conservative | Liberal | Other |
Canada | 85 | 133 | 3 |
PEI | 1 | 3 | - |
Nova Scotia | 6 | 12 | - |
New Brunswick | 2 | 11 | - |
Quebec | 11 | 53 | 1 |
Ontario | 48 | 36 | 2 |
Manitoba | 8 | 2 | - |
Saskatchewan | 1 | 9 | - |
Alberta | 3 | 4 | - |
BC | 5 | 2 | - |
Yukon & NWT | - | 1 | - |
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