The 1997 Federal Election in Canada
The 1997 federal election in Canada was a closely contested and highly fragmented election, resulting in a minority government for Jean Chrétien and the Liberal Party. While the Liberals secured a second consecutive victory, their majority was significantly reduced. The election also highlighted the deep regional divisions within Canada, with the Reform Party making substantial gains in Western Canada and the Bloc Québécois maintaining its dominance in Quebec. It marked the beginning of a more divided Parliament and set the stage for the future evolution of Canadian conservatism.
Political Situation Before the Election
The 1997 federal election came after four years of Liberal government under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, who had won a landslide victory in 1993. The political landscape, however, had changed considerably by 1997, and Chrétien’s government faced significant challenges:
The Economy: By the late 1990s, the Canadian economy had started to recover from the recession of the early 1990s. Under Finance Minister Paul Martin, the Liberal government had successfully reduced the federal deficit through deep spending cuts, including cuts to social programs, transfers to provinces, and government services. While these efforts were praised by many for restoring fiscal discipline, they also generated considerable discontent, particularly among those affected by the cuts. Despite these cuts, the unemployment rate remained relatively high, and many Canadians still felt the economic recovery had not reached them.
National Unity: The 1995 Quebec sovereignty referendum had resulted in a narrow victory for the federalist side, but the issue of Quebec’s place in Canada remained unresolved. The Bloc Québécois continued to dominate federal politics in Quebec, while the sense of alienation in the province was still palpable. National unity remained a key issue, as Quebec's future in Confederation was uncertain, and the Parti Québécois under Premier Lucien Bouchard was still pursuing a sovereigntist agenda at the provincial level.
Western Alienation: In Western Canada, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia, the Reform Party had emerged as the primary voice of regional discontent. Many Western Canadians felt alienated from the federal government, particularly over issues related to economic policy, gun control, and agricultural policy. The Reform Party, under the leadership of Preston Manning, was focused on addressing Western grievances and reforming Canada’s political system to give more power to the regions.
Conservative Party Disunity: The federal conservative movement remained deeply divided following the collapse of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1993. While the Reform Party had replaced the Progressive Conservatives as the main conservative force in Western Canada, the two parties competed for the same pool of right-leaning voters, particularly in Ontario. The division of the conservative vote allowed the Liberals to dominate Ontario, where a united right might have posed a stronger challenge.
Leadership Transition in the NDP: The New Democratic Party (NDP) had struggled in the 1993 election under Audrey McLaughlin, and by 1997, the party had undergone a leadership change. Alexa McDonough, who had revitalized the provincial NDP in Nova Scotia, was elected leader in 1995, and she was tasked with rebuilding the party’s fortunes at the national level. Under McDonough, the NDP focused on protecting social programs, opposing government spending cuts, and promoting progressive taxation.
Party Leaders
Jean Chrétien (Liberal Party): Chrétien had been Prime Minister since 1993 and was seeking a second term in office. His leadership had been characterized by a focus on economic recovery, deficit reduction, and a pragmatic approach to governance. While he had successfully brought down the federal deficit, his government had also been criticized for cutting social programs and failing to address growing regional discontent. Chrétien’s campaign in 1997 focused on maintaining the economic recovery, continuing fiscal responsibility, and protecting national unity.
Preston Manning (Reform Party): Manning led the Reform Party, which had become the primary opposition party in Western Canada. The Reform Party’s platform focused on fiscal conservatism, decentralizing federal power, promoting direct democracy, and advocating for Western Canadian interests. Manning’s leadership had helped grow the party’s support base, but his ability to expand beyond the West remained a key challenge in 1997. Manning sought to position Reform as a national alternative to the Liberals, but the party struggled to make inroads in Ontario and Quebec.
Jean Charest (Progressive Conservative Party): Jean Charest, a popular and charismatic figure, took over the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives following their near-annihilation in the 1993 election. Charest focused on rebuilding the party and presenting it as a centrist, moderate alternative to both the Liberals and Reform. While Charest was personally popular, especially in Quebec, the party struggled to regain its former national prominence.
Lucien Bouchard (Bloc Québécois): Lucien Bouchard remained the leader of the Bloc Québécois, a party created in the early 1990s to represent Quebec’s interests in federal politics. The Bloc’s main goal was to promote Quebec sovereignty, but in 1997, Bouchard’s strategy was to maintain the party’s dominance in Quebec while supporting the provincial Parti Québécois’s sovereignty agenda. Bouchard’s leadership was central to the Bloc’s appeal, as he remained a charismatic and influential figure in Quebec politics.
Alexa McDonough (New Democratic Party): McDonough led the NDP in her first federal election as leader. Her leadership focused on reversing the party’s decline in the 1993 election by emphasizing traditional NDP values, such as the protection of social programs, opposition to corporate tax cuts, and advocating for environmental protection. McDonough’s appeal was strongest in Atlantic Canada, where she had previously led the Nova Scotia NDP.
Issues of the Election
Several key issues shaped the 1997 federal election, reflecting the political divisions and economic challenges of the time:
The Economy: The state of the economy remained the central issue of the election. While the Liberal government had successfully reduced the deficit, many Canadians were concerned about the lingering effects of austerity measures, particularly cuts to social programs. Chrétien’s campaign emphasized fiscal responsibility and the need to maintain the economic recovery, while his opponents argued that the benefits of the recovery had not been evenly distributed.
National Unity and Quebec: The question of national unity and Quebec’s place in Canada remained a significant concern, particularly after the narrow defeat of the sovereignty referendum in 1995. While the Bloc Québécois continued to advocate for Quebec’s independence, Jean Chrétien and the Liberals positioned themselves as defenders of federalism and national unity.
Western Alienation: The sense of alienation in Western Canada, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia, was a central issue for the Reform Party. Manning’s party campaigned on the need for political and fiscal reform to give Western Canadians more control over their affairs. The Reform Party also opposed gun control legislation and advocated for a tougher stance on crime.
Social Programs: The cuts to social programs implemented by the Liberal government, particularly in areas such as healthcare and education, were a significant issue. The NDP, under Alexa McDonough, made the defense of social programs a central part of its platform, calling for increased investment in healthcare, education, and social services.
Conservative Unity: The split between the Reform Party and the Progressive Conservatives was a major issue on the right. Many conservative voters, particularly in Ontario, were concerned that the division between the two parties would allow the Liberals to maintain their dominance. While both Manning and Charest sought to appeal to right-leaning voters, their inability to unite the conservative movement limited their effectiveness in challenging the Liberals.
Campaign Strategies
Liberal Party: The Liberals ran a cautious, low-risk campaign focused on their record of economic recovery and fiscal responsibility. Chrétien emphasized his government’s success in reducing the deficit and maintaining economic stability, while promising modest increases in spending on social programs. Chrétien’s campaign also focused on national unity, portraying the Liberals as the only party capable of keeping the country together in the face of Quebec’s sovereignty movement.
Reform Party: Preston Manning’s campaign focused on Western alienation, fiscal conservatism, and political reform. The Reform Party promised to cut taxes, reduce the size of government, and give more power to the provinces. Manning’s message resonated strongly in Western Canada, but the party struggled to break through in Ontario and Quebec. Manning’s leadership style was seen as earnest but lacked the charisma needed to attract voters outside the West.
Progressive Conservative Party: Jean Charest ran a campaign focused on rebuilding the Progressive Conservative Party as a moderate, centrist alternative to both the Liberals and Reform. Charest emphasized his party’s opposition to the Liberal government’s spending cuts and its commitment to maintaining social programs. Charest was personally popular, particularly in Quebec, but the Progressive Conservatives faced an uphill battle in recovering from their devastating defeat in 1993.
Bloc Québécois: Lucien Bouchard’s Bloc Québécois focused on maintaining its dominance in Quebec and promoting the province’s sovereignty agenda. Bouchard was a highly effective campaigner, and the Bloc’s message of defending Quebec’s interests resonated strongly with voters in the province. However, with no immediate referendum on the horizon, the Bloc faced challenges in maintaining voter enthusiasm.
New Democratic Party: Alexa McDonough’s NDP campaign focused on defending social programs, opposing corporate tax cuts, and advocating for environmental protection. McDonough sought to appeal to voters disillusioned with the Liberal government’s austerity measures, particularly in Atlantic Canada and urban centers. The NDP’s campaign was centered on protecting healthcare, education, and social services from further cuts.
Campaign Events and Election Day
The 1997 federal election campaign was notable for its relative lack of major scandals or controversies, but there were key moments that shaped the outcome:
Liberal Stability: Jean Chrétien’s campaign strategy of emphasizing stability and economic recovery proved effective, particularly in Ontario, where voters were concerned about the economy and national unity. Chrétien’s message of fiscal responsibility resonated with many voters, even though his government’s spending cuts were unpopular.
Reform Party Surge: Preston Manning’s Reform Party continued to grow in Western Canada, where the party’s message of fiscal conservatism and Western autonomy resonated strongly. The Reform Party performed well in Alberta and British Columbia but struggled to make inroads in Ontario and Quebec.
Progressive Conservative Resurgence: Despite being decimated in 1993, Jean Charest’s Progressive Conservatives made a strong comeback, particularly in Quebec. Charest’s personal popularity helped the party regain some of its former support, but the PCs still struggled to compete with the Liberals and Reform Party in other parts of the country.
Bloc Québécois Defense: Lucien Bouchard’s Bloc Québécois successfully defended its position as the dominant party in Quebec, maintaining its hold on the province’s federal politics despite no immediate plans for a sovereignty referendum.
NDP Recovery: Alexa McDonough’s NDP made a modest recovery, particularly in Atlantic Canada, where the party gained several seats. McDonough’s leadership helped the NDP regain some of its lost support, particularly among voters concerned about social programs.
On election day, June 2, 1997, the results were as follows:
Liberal Party: The Liberals won 155 seats, down from the 177 they held before the election. Although they were still able to form a government, their majority was reduced significantly, signaling voter discontent with the government’s spending cuts and handling of social programs.
Reform Party: The Reform Party solidified its position as the main opposition party, winning 60 seats, most of them in Western Canada. This result confirmed the growing influence of the Reform Party in the West, but the party’s failure to break through in Ontario or Quebec limited its ability to challenge the Liberals nationally.
Progressive Conservative Party: The Progressive Conservatives, under Jean Charest, made a significant comeback, winning 20 seats, up from just 2 seats in the 1993 election. Much of the party’s support came from Quebec, where Charest’s personal popularity helped the party regain a foothold.
Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois maintained its dominance in Quebec, winning 44 seats. While the party’s seat count declined slightly from the 1993 election, the Bloc remained a powerful force in Quebec federal politics.
New Democratic Party: The NDP, under Alexa McDonough, recovered from its disastrous 1993 result, winning 21 seats, with most of its gains in Atlantic Canada. The NDP’s message of defending social programs resonated with voters concerned about the impact of Liberal austerity measures.
Aftermath
The 1997 federal election resulted in a much more fragmented and regionally divided Parliament than in 1993. While the Liberals retained power, their reduced majority reflected growing dissatisfaction with their policies, particularly the cuts to social programs. Jean Chrétien would continue to govern, but his government faced a more challenging political environment, with a stronger opposition and growing regional divisions.
The Reform Party’s continued success in Western Canada confirmed its role as the voice of Western discontent, but its failure to expand beyond the West raised questions about its long-term viability as a national party. Similarly, the Progressive Conservatives’ modest recovery under Jean Charest indicated that the party still had a future, but the continued division of the conservative movement between the PCs and Reform limited their ability to challenge the Liberals.
In Quebec, the Bloc Québécois remained a dominant force, continuing to represent Quebec’s sovereigntist aspirations in federal politics. However, with no immediate plans for a sovereignty referendum, the party’s future role remained uncertain.
The NDP’s recovery under Alexa McDonough demonstrated the party’s continued relevance in Canadian politics, particularly in regions like Atlantic Canada. The party’s focus on defending social programs resonated with voters concerned about the impact of austerity.
Overall, the 1997 election confirmed the deep regional divisions within Canada, with the West aligning with the Reform Party, Quebec dominated by the Bloc Québécois, and Ontario continuing to support the Liberals. This regional fragmentation would continue to shape Canadian politics in the years to come, setting the stage for future realignments and the eventual reunification of the conservative movement.
Election Party |
Elected Members | # of Candidates | % of Popular Vote | % of Seats |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 (June 2) - Turnout: 67.0 % | ||||
Liberal | 155 | 301 | 38.5 % | 51.5 % |
Reform | 60 | 227 | 19.4 % | 19.9 % |
Bloc Québécois | 44 | 75 | 10.7 % | 14.6 % |
New Democratic Party | 21 | 301 | 11.0 % | 7.0 % |
Progressive Conservative | 20 | 301 | 18.8 % | 6.6 % |
Other | 1 | 467 | 1.6 % | 0.3 % |
Total | 301 | 1,672 | ||
Government--155, Opposition--146, Majority--9 |
Total - 301 | Conser | Liberal | NDP/CCF | Bloc Que | Reform | Oth |
Canada | 20 | 155 | 21 | 44 | 60 | 1 |
Newfoundland | 3 | 4 | - | - | - | - |
PEI | - | 4 | - | - | - | - |
Nova Scotia | 5 | - | 6 | - | - | - |
New Brunswick | 5 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - |
Quebec | 5 | 26 | - | 44 | - | - |
Ontario | 1 | 101 | - | - | - | 1 |
Manitoba | 1 | 6 | 4 | - | 3 | - |
Saskatchewan | - | 1 | 5 | - | 8 | - |
Alberta | - | 2 | - | - | 24 | - |
BC | - | 6 | 3 | - | 25 | - |
Yukon | - | - | 1 | - | - | - |
NWT | - | 2 | - | - | - | - |
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