CANADA HISTORY - Elections

The 1935 federal election in Canada was a watershed moment in the country’s political history, taking place in the midst of the Great Depression. The election marked a shift in the political landscape, not only because it resulted in the defeat of the Conservative Party led by R.B. Bennett but also because it set the stage for the rise of alternative political movements. It also highlighted the economic despair Canadians faced and the desire for new ideas and leadership to tackle the unprecedented challenges of the time.

The Political Situation Before the Election

By the early 1930s, Canada was deeply mired in the Great Depression, which had begun in 1929 and caused widespread unemployment, economic contraction, and social hardship. The Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Richard Bedford (R.B.) Bennett, had been elected in 1930 with a promise to address the economic crisis. However, Bennett's policies, initially based on high tariffs and protectionism, were widely seen as ineffective at mitigating the Depression. Unemployment rates soared, and the economy remained stagnant. As the depression deepened, Bennett shifted toward more interventionist policies, famously enacting what was dubbed the "Bennett New Deal" in 1935, modeled after Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal in the United States. However, many viewed this as too little, too late.

The political opposition, led by William Lyon Mackenzie King and the Liberal Party, had adopted a strategy of criticizing Bennett’s administration for its handling of the Depression while offering a more moderate approach to government intervention in the economy. Mackenzie King, who had been prime minister before Bennett's election, had taken a cautious approach to economic reform, and his leadership style was seen as more stable and predictable in contrast to Bennett’s erratic shifts in policy.

In addition to the main two parties, there was a rising tide of discontent that found expression in alternative political movements. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), led by J.S. Woodsworth, represented a growing socialist sentiment that demanded more radical economic reforms, including nationalization of industries and greater government intervention. The Social Credit Party, particularly strong in Alberta and led by William Aberhart, was based on the idea that monetary reform was necessary to combat the economic crisis, advocating for “social credit” payments to increase purchasing power and stimulate demand. These new movements highlighted the public’s growing frustration with the traditional parties and the status quo.

The Leaders and Parties Contending

R.B. Bennett (Conservative Party): Prime Minister Bennett was seen as a well-meaning but ultimately ineffective leader. Initially, he had promised a swift resolution to the economic woes through high tariffs and government aid, but his policies failed to lift the country out of the Depression. By 1935, Bennett had shifted toward a more progressive stance with his “Bennett New Deal,” proposing government control of wages, prices, and working hours, as well as unemployment insurance and public works projects. His sudden embrace of reform was seen by many as a desperate bid to retain power.

William Lyon Mackenzie King (Liberal Party): Mackenzie King, who had served as prime minister from 1921 to 1930, offered a more steady and cautious approach to economic recovery. He criticized Bennett’s abrupt policy shifts and argued that long-term economic planning and the restoration of confidence in the Canadian economy were necessary. King’s personal style of avoiding extreme positions and seeking consensus was seen as appealing to voters looking for stability.

J.S. Woodsworth (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation): Woodsworth led the newly formed CCF, a socialist party that advocated for sweeping reforms, including public ownership of major industries and banks, unemployment insurance, and universal pensions. The CCF represented a significant left-wing alternative to the traditional parties, attracting those most disillusioned by the effects of the Depression.

William Aberhart (Social Credit Party): Aberhart’s Social Credit Party was a populist movement that gained traction in Alberta with its promise of monetary reform. Aberhart argued that the Depression was caused by a lack of purchasing power among ordinary people and proposed issuing "social credit" payments to citizens to stimulate demand. Though largely regional, the Social Credit Party appealed to those desperate for unconventional solutions.

Issues of the Election

The primary issue of the 1935 federal election was the ongoing economic crisis and how to address it. The Depression had devastated the Canadian economy, with unemployment rates reaching as high as 25%. Canadians were looking for concrete solutions to alleviate the hardships they faced.

The major debate centered on how much the government should intervene in the economy. Bennett’s New Deal was the centerpiece of the Conservative platform, but it faced skepticism from both conservatives and progressives. The Liberals under Mackenzie King presented a more cautious and measured response, promising to restore confidence and stability without the sweeping reforms of the Conservatives or the radical ideas of the CCF and Social Credit.

Other issues included tariffs and trade policies. Bennett’s protectionist policies were increasingly unpopular, especially in a country dependent on exports. Mackenzie King promised to lower tariffs and improve trade relations, particularly with the United States.

Campaign Strategy and Effectiveness

Conservatives: Bennett's campaign revolved around defending his government’s record while promoting the new interventionist policies of his New Deal. The Conservatives emphasized that Bennett’s government had finally moved in the right direction with public works, social welfare programs, and wage control measures. However, the public’s trust in Bennett was eroded by his earlier failures, and his New Deal was often seen as a last-minute effort to win votes rather than a genuine solution.

Liberals: Mackenzie King ran on the slogan “King or Chaos,” presenting himself as a safe alternative to Bennett’s inconsistency. King’s platform focused on gradually stabilizing the economy, fostering free trade, and reducing government intervention in favor of a more balanced approach. His criticism of Bennett’s management resonated with voters who were weary of sudden policy changes and perceived failures.

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF): The CCF’s platform resonated with working-class Canadians and those who had lost faith in capitalism. Woodsworth’s calls for the nationalization of industries and social reforms were popular among segments of the population suffering the most under the Depression, but the CCF remained a relatively small, regional party with limited national appeal.

Social Credit: Aberhart’s Social Credit movement gained substantial ground in Alberta, where economic hardship had hit hard. His populist message of direct monetary reform and issuing “social credit” payments captured the imagination of those desperate for change, but outside of Alberta, the movement had limited traction.

Election Day and Results

The 1935 federal election was held on October 14, 1935. The election resulted in a decisive victory for the Liberal Party, which secured 171 of the 245 seats in the House of Commons. The Conservatives were soundly defeated, winning only 39 seats—a devastating loss for R.B. Bennett. The CCF, contesting its first federal election, managed to win seven seats, a respectable result for a new party. Social Credit also made a breakthrough, securing 17 seats, mostly from Alberta.

Liberal Party: 171 seats
Conservative Party: 39 seats
Social Credit: 17 seats
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF): 7 seats
The voter turnout for the 1935 election was about 74%, reflecting the significant public interest in the outcome given the severe economic conditions.

Aftermath of the Election

The 1935 election marked the end of Bennett’s political career and the return of Mackenzie King as Prime Minister. King’s victory was interpreted as a public rejection of Bennett’s leadership and his late attempt to embrace social reforms. King would go on to lead Canada through much of the remainder of the Depression and, later, the Second World War, solidifying his place as one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers.

The rise of new political movements was another important outcome of the 1935 election. The CCF, although only winning seven seats, represented a growing socialist movement in Canada that would eventually lead to the creation of the New Democratic Party (NDP). Social Credit, especially in Alberta, demonstrated the appeal of radical economic reform during times of crisis and remained a political force in that province for decades.

For Bennett, the defeat was a crushing blow, and he left Canadian politics shortly after the election, moving to England. The Conservatives, decimated in 1935, would take several years to recover and would not return to power until 1957 under John Diefenbaker.

The 1935 federal election was a pivotal moment in Canadian history, illustrating the country’s political realignment in the face of economic crisis and setting the stage for the post-Depression era. It also highlighted the beginning of new political forces that would shape the country's political landscape in the coming decades.