CANADA HISTORY - Elections

1953 ELECTION


The 1953 federal election in Canada was a crucial political event that took place against a backdrop of post-war recovery, Cold War tensions, and domestic economic challenges. This election was held on August 10, 1953, and marked a continuation of the Liberal Party's dominance under Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, but it also revealed significant political shifts in Canada that would later play a pivotal role in reshaping the country's political landscape.

The Political Situation Before the Election

By 1953, Louis St. Laurent had been Prime Minister since 1948, succeeding William Lyon Mackenzie King as leader of the Liberal Party. His government was highly popular and widely respected, having presided over Canada's post-war economic boom. The Liberal Party was associated with stability and progress, successfully navigating the challenges of post-war reconstruction, expanding social programs, and maintaining a strong, pro-business economic policy. St. Laurent, often referred to as “Uncle Louis” because of his calm and reassuring public persona, was seen as a steady hand at the wheel of government.

However, opposition to the Liberals had been growing. The Progressive Conservative Party, led by George Drew, was seeking to reclaim the political dominance it had lost after the Great Depression. Drew, who became leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 1948, was a former Premier of Ontario and a strong advocate for fiscal conservatism and decentralization of power to the provinces. Despite his leadership, the Progressive Conservatives had suffered defeat in the 1949 federal election. The party was rebuilding and hoped to capitalize on growing discontent with Liberal dominance.

Other important players in the election included the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), led by Major James Coldwell, which represented the socialist left, and the Social Credit Party, under Solon Low, which primarily had a base in Alberta and promoted a mix of populist, social credit theories to address economic inequality.

The Leaders of the Contending Parties

Louis St. Laurent (Liberal Party): St. Laurent had built a reputation as a pragmatic, capable leader who understood both national and international issues. He represented continuity from Mackenzie King and led a government that expanded social programs such as pensions, while also engaging Canada internationally, particularly through its role in NATO and the United Nations.

George Drew (Progressive Conservative Party): Drew was a combative and articulate leader who strongly opposed the centralization of power in Ottawa. His platform focused on reducing federal intervention in provincial affairs and promoting fiscal conservatism. Drew had a strong base in Ontario and was attempting to extend that support nationally.

M. J. Coldwell (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation - CCF): Coldwell led the CCF, which was the forerunner to today’s New Democratic Party (NDP). The CCF advocated for socialist policies such as the expansion of social welfare programs, public ownership of key industries, and greater economic equality.

Solon Low (Social Credit Party): Low led the Social Credit Party, which had its roots in Alberta. The party’s economic theories were based on the ideas of social credit, which advocated for monetary reform to increase purchasing power and reduce debt. The party was a regional force in Alberta but struggled to gain traction elsewhere in the country.

The Issues of the Election

Several key issues dominated the 1953 federal election. First and foremost was the economy. The post-war economic boom was still ongoing, but concerns about inflation, housing shortages, and the cost of living were beginning to surface. The Liberals were seen as good economic stewards, having overseen rapid economic growth, but opposition parties accused them of not doing enough to control inflation or address housing issues.

Another significant issue was national unity and federal-provincial relations. George Drew and the Progressive Conservatives argued that the Liberal government was too centralizing, infringing on the autonomy of the provinces. They wanted to reduce Ottawa's control over certain economic and social policies and restore more power to the provinces.

Foreign policy was also an issue. Canada was increasingly active in global affairs, being a founding member of NATO and involved in the Korean War (1950-1953). St. Laurent's government had supported these international efforts, portraying Canada as a middle power committed to peacekeeping and multilateralism. However, there was some debate about the extent of Canada's involvement in foreign conflicts, with opposition parties questioning the government’s spending on military commitments abroad.

Social issues were growing in importance as well, especially around healthcare, housing, and pensions. The CCF, under Coldwell, pushed for further expansion of social welfare programs, including healthcare, which resonated with working-class voters, though the Liberals were still largely seen as the party that had created and supported many social programs.

The Campaign Strategy and Effectiveness

Liberal Party Strategy: The Liberal Party, under Louis St. Laurent, ran a campaign focused on their record of economic prosperity and stability. They highlighted their achievements in leading Canada through the post-war period, expanding social programs, and engaging the country in international peace efforts. St. Laurent’s campaign was pragmatic, often reminding voters that under the Liberals, Canada had enjoyed steady economic growth and increasing global influence.

Progressive Conservative Party Strategy: George Drew's campaign centered on the theme of decentralization, advocating for greater provincial control over resources and policies. Drew criticized the Liberal government for being overly centralized and promised to restore the balance of power between Ottawa and the provinces. Drew also campaigned on fiscal conservatism, pledging to cut government spending and reduce inflation. His campaign was notably focused on rural and Western Canadian voters, trying to expand the Conservative base beyond Ontario.

CCF Strategy: The CCF, under Coldwell, positioned itself as the voice of working people, advocating for expanded social programs such as universal healthcare, public housing, and better pensions. Coldwell's campaign was largely focused on social justice and redistribution of wealth, but the CCF struggled to broaden its appeal beyond its base of support in Saskatchewan and parts of British Columbia.

Social Credit Strategy: The Social Credit Party focused its campaign on economic reform, particularly its unique approach to monetary policy. Solon Low called for social credit policies that would redistribute purchasing power through monetary intervention. However, the party remained largely a regional force, unable to make significant inroads outside Alberta.

The Conduct of the Election and Campaign Events

The election campaign officially began on June 9, 1953, and lasted for about two months. Throughout the campaign, political rallies, speeches, and radio broadcasts were the primary means for reaching voters, as television was still in its infancy as a political tool. Newspapers were also an important vehicle for political communication during the campaign.

One notable aspect of the 1953 election was the relatively low level of personal attacks between the party leaders. St. Laurent’s amiable and statesmanlike demeanor helped keep the tone civil. However, George Drew was a more combative figure, and he frequently attacked the Liberals for their handling of federal-provincial relations and economic issues.

Drew also tried to capitalize on a growing sentiment in the West that the Liberal government was out of touch with the concerns of rural Canadians and farmers. He made significant efforts to appeal to voters in Western Canada, criticizing the Liberals for not addressing agricultural issues adequately.

The CCF, meanwhile, attempted to appeal to voters frustrated by the cost of living and the lack of affordable housing, but it faced a difficult challenge in competing against the two larger, more established parties.

Election Results and Aftermath

On election day, August 10, 1953, the results confirmed a solid victory for Louis St. Laurent and the Liberal Party. The Liberals won 169 seats in the House of Commons, down slightly from the 191 seats they held in the 1949 election but still securing a comfortable majority. St. Laurent’s personal popularity, combined with the Liberal Party’s strong record on the economy, had carried the day.

The Progressive Conservatives, under George Drew, improved their seat count, winning 51 seats, an increase from the 41 seats they held before the election. However, Drew’s party still struggled to break the Liberal stranglehold on central Canada, particularly Quebec, where the Liberals remained dominant.

The CCF saw a modest decline in support, dropping from 13 seats to 23 seats, while the Social Credit Party won 15 seats, mostly in Alberta.

Aftermath and Significance

The 1953 election reaffirmed the dominance of the Liberal Party under St. Laurent, but it also revealed growing opposition to Liberal policies, especially in Western Canada and rural areas. The Progressive Conservatives, though still far from power, had made some gains and began to position themselves as the party of decentralization and fiscal conservatism.

This election set the stage for future political changes in Canada. George Drew would eventually be replaced as Progressive Conservative leader by John Diefenbaker, who would go on to defeat the Liberals in the 1957 election. The seeds of regional discontent, particularly in the West, would continue to grow and play a more significant role in Canadian politics in the coming decades.

For St. Laurent and the Liberals, the 1953 victory allowed them to continue their agenda of nation-building, international engagement, and post-war prosperity. However, as the 1950s progressed, economic challenges and political dissatisfaction would begin to chip away at the Liberal stronghold, leading to their eventual defeat in 1957.

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Louis St Laurent - Liberal

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George Drew - PC

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Major James Coldwell - CCF

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Solon Warl Low - Social Credit

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Tim Buck - Communists

Election
Party
Elected Members # of Candidates % of Popular Vote % of Seats
1953 (August 10) - Turnout: 67.5 %
Liberal  171 264 50.0 % 64.5 %
Progressive Conservative  51 248 31.0 % 19.2 %
C.C.F.  23 170 11.3 % 8.7 %
Social Credit  15 72 5.4 % 5.7 %
Other  5 143 2.3 % 1.9 %
Total 265 897    
Government (Liberal / Liberal-Labour)--171, Opposition--94, Majority--77
Total - 265 Conser Liberal NDP/ CCF Social Credit Other
Canada 51 170 23 15 6
Newfoundland - 7
PEI 1 3 - - -
Nova Scotia 1 10 1 - -
New Brunswick 3 7 - - -
Quebec 4 66 - - 5
Ontario 33 50 - - 2
Manitoba 3 8 3 - -
Saskatchewan 1 14 5 - -
Alberta 2 4 - 11 -
BC 3 8 7 4 -
Yukon - 2 - - -
NWT - - - - -

Cite Article : Reference: www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents/documents.html

Source: NA



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