CANADA HISTORY - Elections

2000 ELECTION


The 2000 Federal Election in Canada

The 2000 federal election, held on November 27, marked a pivotal moment in Canadian politics. It was a contest shaped by economic stability, the evolving conservative movement, and regional divisions. Jean Chrétien’s Liberal Party sought a third consecutive majority government, capitalizing on a strong economy, while the newly formed Canadian Alliance, led by Stockwell Day, aimed to unify conservative voters and present a credible challenge to the Liberals. The Progressive Conservative Party, led by former Prime Minister Joe Clark, struggled to regain national relevance, while the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party (NDP) continued to pursue their regional and progressive platforms, respectively.

Political Situation Before the Election

By the time of the 2000 federal election, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien had been in power for seven years, leading the Liberals to two majority victories in 1993 and 1997. The economic landscape in Canada had improved significantly during his tenure, with Finance Minister Paul Martin eliminating the federal deficit by the mid-1990s and moving Canada into a period of budget surpluses. Unemployment had fallen, and the country’s economy was one of the strongest among G7 nations. Chrétien’s government had also managed to maintain national unity in the aftermath of the 1995 Quebec sovereignty referendum, in which the federalist side narrowly prevailed.

However, despite the government's successes, Chrétien’s leadership faced internal challenges. There was growing tension between Chrétien and Paul Martin, with many within the party viewing Martin as the natural successor to Chrétien. The rift between the two men, although not overtly public during the election, cast a shadow over the Liberal campaign, as speculation about succession loomed large.

On the conservative side, the political landscape was undergoing significant change. The Canadian Alliance, formed in 2000 as the successor to the Reform Party, aimed to unite conservative voters under a more mainstream banner. Led by Stockwell Day, the Alliance sought to challenge the Liberals by appealing to fiscal conservatives and Western Canadians who felt alienated from federal politics. Day’s leadership brought a youthful, energetic image to the Alliance, but his socially conservative views and political inexperience raised concerns among more moderate voters, particularly in Ontario and Quebec.

The Progressive Conservative Party, once Canada’s dominant right-wing force, had been struggling since its collapse in the 1993 election. Led by Joe Clark, a former Prime Minister, the PCs were positioning themselves as a centrist alternative to the Liberals and the Canadian Alliance. However, the party’s electoral prospects were hampered by its limited presence outside of Atlantic Canada and the competition it faced from the more ideologically conservative Alliance.

In Quebec, the Bloc Québécois, led by Gilles Duceppe, continued to dominate the federal scene. While the Bloc remained committed to Quebec sovereignty, the issue had lost some of its urgency since the close 1995 referendum. Duceppe’s focus in 2000 was on defending Quebec’s interests within the federal system, particularly in terms of protecting the province’s language and culture.

The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Alexa McDonough, was focused on traditional progressive issues, including healthcare, education, and social justice. However, the NDP struggled to gain national traction, as the Liberals had co-opted many of its policy positions, particularly on social programs. McDonough’s leadership had brought stability to the party, but the NDP’s influence remained limited to its core base of supporters in urban centers and parts of Atlantic Canada.

Party Leaders

Jean Chrétien (Liberal Party): Chrétien was a seasoned politician with decades of experience in federal politics. Known for his populist appeal and pragmatic leadership, Chrétien was campaigning for a third term as Prime Minister. His government’s success in balancing the budget and fostering economic growth was central to his re-election campaign, although tensions within the party and the lingering question of succession loomed in the background.

Stockwell Day (Canadian Alliance): Day was a fresh face in national politics, having been elected leader of the Canadian Alliance earlier in 2000. A former Alberta cabinet minister, Day brought a youthful and dynamic image to the Alliance, but his socially conservative views, including opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, alienated many moderate voters. Day’s inexperience on the national stage also raised concerns about his ability to lead the country.

Joe Clark (Progressive Conservative Party): Clark, a former Prime Minister (1979-1980), had returned to lead the Progressive Conservatives in 1998. While personally respected and seen as a moderate, Clark struggled to rebuild the party’s national presence, particularly in the face of competition from the Canadian Alliance. The PCs had their strongest base of support in Atlantic Canada, where Clark’s moderate conservatism resonated with voters.

Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Québécois): Duceppe had been the leader of the Bloc Québécois since 1997 and was focused on defending Quebec’s interests in Ottawa. While the sovereignty issue was less prominent in 2000, Duceppe positioned the Bloc as the voice of Quebec in federal politics, advocating for greater provincial autonomy and the protection of Quebec’s language and culture.

Alexa McDonough (New Democratic Party): McDonough had led the NDP since 1995, and her leadership had brought a renewed sense of purpose to the party. The NDP’s platform focused on expanding healthcare, improving social programs, and fighting for economic justice. However, the party remained limited in its national appeal, with its support concentrated in specific regions.

Issues of the Election

Several key issues dominated the 2000 election campaign:

The Economy: The strong economic performance under Chrétien’s government was a central issue in the election. The Liberals highlighted their success in eliminating the deficit, achieving budget surpluses, and reducing unemployment. Chrétien’s message was one of stability and continued prosperity, while Stockwell Day and the Canadian Alliance argued that high taxes were stifling economic growth and promised significant tax cuts.

Healthcare: Healthcare was a major concern for many Canadians, particularly after years of cuts to provincial health transfers during the Liberal government’s austerity measures. The Liberals promised to increase funding for healthcare and address issues such as wait times and shortages of medical professionals. The NDP, under McDonough, made healthcare a central issue, calling for significant investments in the public system. The Canadian Alliance, in contrast, advocated for greater provincial control over healthcare and suggested that more private-sector involvement could improve efficiency.

Taxation: Taxes were a significant issue, particularly for the Canadian Alliance, which promised substantial cuts to personal and corporate taxes. Stockwell Day argued that Canada’s high tax burden was holding back economic growth and pledged to cut the federal income tax by 17%. The Liberals, while offering more modest tax cuts, emphasized the need to balance tax relief with continued investment in public services. The NDP opposed deep tax cuts, arguing that they would lead to cuts in essential services.

National Unity and Quebec: While the Quebec sovereignty issue was not as prominent as it had been in the 1990s, national unity remained a key concern. The Bloc Québécois continued to advocate for Quebec’s interests within the federal system, while Chrétien positioned the Liberals as the party best suited to maintain national unity. The Canadian Alliance’s focus on provincial autonomy also appealed to voters in Western Canada, where concerns about federal overreach were strong.

Government Reform: The Canadian Alliance campaigned on a platform of political and government reform, advocating for Senate reform, more direct democracy through referendums, and reducing the power of the federal government in favor of the provinces. This message resonated particularly with Western Canadian voters who felt alienated from the federal government.

Campaign Strategies

Liberal Party: Chrétien’s campaign focused heavily on the government’s economic record, emphasizing stability and continued growth. The Liberals highlighted their success in eliminating the deficit, achieving budget surpluses, and reducing unemployment. Chrétien also promised to reinvest in healthcare and social programs after years of austerity. The campaign portrayed Chrétien as an experienced leader who could be trusted to manage the country through continued economic prosperity, while casting Stockwell Day as inexperienced and too extreme for national leadership. The Liberal strategy focused heavily on Ontario, where the Liberals needed to maintain their dominance to secure another majority government.

Canadian Alliance: Stockwell Day’s campaign emphasized tax cuts, smaller government, and provincial autonomy. The Alliance sought to portray itself as the true conservative alternative to the Liberals, especially in Western Canada. Day’s campaign focused on reducing the size of government, cutting taxes, and decentralizing federal power. However, his socially conservative views and inexperience on the national stage alienated many voters in Ontario and Quebec, limiting the party’s appeal outside the West. Day’s use of unorthodox campaign tactics, such as arriving at press events on a Jet Ski, was seen as a misstep that undermined his credibility.

Progressive Conservative Party: Joe Clark’s campaign was focused on presenting the Progressive Conservatives as a moderate, centrist alternative to both the Liberals and the Canadian Alliance. Clark emphasized his experience and the party’s commitment to maintaining social programs while offering more modest tax cuts than the Alliance. The PCs focused their efforts on Atlantic Canada, where they retained a strong base of support, but struggled to compete nationally.

Bloc Québécois: Gilles Duceppe’s Bloc Québécois focused on defending Quebec’s interests and opposing any further centralization of federal power. Duceppe positioned the Bloc as the best party to represent Quebec in Ottawa, and while sovereignty was not a pressing issue in 2000, the Bloc continued to advocate for greater provincial autonomy and the protection of Quebec’s language and culture.

New Democratic Party: Alexa McDonough’s NDP campaign centered on healthcare, education, and social programs. The NDP positioned itself as the defender of public services and opposed deep tax cuts that would reduce funding for these essential services. McDonough’s leadership appealed to progressive voters, particularly in urban centers and parts of Atlantic Canada.

Campaign Events and Election Day

The 2000 federal election campaign was relatively quiet in terms of scandals or major controversies. However, Stockwell Day’s leadership of the Canadian Alliance became a focal point for the Liberals, who portrayed him as inexperienced and too far to the right for mainstream Canadian voters. Day’s missteps during the campaign, including a highly publicized incident where he arrived at a press conference on a Jet Ski, were used by the Liberals to cast doubt on his suitability for the office of Prime Minister.

The Liberals maintained a steady lead in the polls throughout the campaign, particularly in Ontario, where they were able to capitalize on Chrétien’s popularity and the strength of the provincial economy. The Canadian Alliance made significant gains in Western Canada, but their failure to break into Ontario or Quebec limited their ability to challenge the Liberals nationally.

On election day, November 27, 2000, the results were as follows:

Liberal Party: The Liberals won 172 seats, securing a third consecutive majority government. Chrétien’s victory was largely attributed to the party’s dominance in Ontario, where they won the vast majority of seats.

Canadian Alliance: The Canadian Alliance won 66 seats, making significant gains in Western Canada but failing to make inroads in Ontario or Quebec. While Stockwell Day’s leadership energized the party’s base in the West, his campaign’s missteps and socially conservative views limited the party’s appeal elsewhere.

Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois won 38 seats, maintaining its dominance in Quebec but failing to expand beyond its traditional base.

Progressive Conservative Party: The Progressive Conservatives won 12 seats, most of them in Atlantic Canada. While Joe Clark’s leadership helped stabilize the party, the PCs remained a marginal force in national politics.

New Democratic Party: The NDP won 13 seats, a modest improvement from their previous standing. Alexa McDonough’s focus on healthcare and social programs helped the party regain some ground, particularly in urban areas and parts of Atlantic Canada.

Aftermath

The 2000 election solidified Jean Chrétien’s dominance in Canadian politics, giving him a third consecutive majority government. However, tensions between Chrétien and Paul Martin continued to simmer, with speculation about a leadership change growing in the years following the election.

For the Canadian Alliance, the election result was disappointing. While the party remained the official opposition, Stockwell Day’s leadership was called into question, and the party failed to make the breakthrough in Ontario and Quebec that it needed to become a national force. Day’s leadership would eventually face internal challenges, and the conservative movement would undergo further changes, leading to the eventual merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives in 2003 to form the modern Conservative Party of Canada.

The Bloc Québécois maintained its position as the dominant party in Quebec, while the NDP’s modest gains under Alexa McDonough set the stage for the party’s future growth under Jack Layton.

The 2000 federal election marked the end of an era for Jean Chrétien’s leadership, but it also set the stage for significant realignments in Canadian politics, particularly on the right, as the country moved into the 21st century.

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Jean Chretien - Liberals

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Stockewell Day - Alliance

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Gilles Duceppe - Bloc

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Joe Clark - PC

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McDonough - NDP

Election
Party
Elected Members # of Candidates % of Popular Vote % of Seats
2000 (November 27)  - Official Turnout: 61.2 %   Actual Turnout: 64.1% -
Liberal  172 301 40.8 % 57.1 %
Canadian Alliance  66 298 25.5 % 21.9 %
Bloc Québécois  38 75 10.7 % 12.6 %
New Democratic Party  13 298 8.5 % 4.3 %
Progressive Conservative  12 291 12.2 % 4.0 %
Other  0 545 2.3 % 0.0 %
Total 301 1,808    
Government--172, Opposition--129, Majority--43
Total - 301 Conser Liberal NDP/CCF Bloc Que Alliance
Canada 12 172 13 38 66
Newfoundland 2 5 - - -
PEI - 4 - - -
Nova Scotia 4 4 3 - -
New Brunswick 3 6 1 - -
Quebec 1 36 - 38 -
Ontario - 101 1 - 2
Manitoba 1 5 4 - 4
Saskatchewan - 2 2 - 10
Alberta 1 2 - - 23
BC - 5 2 - 27
Yukon - 1 - - -
NWT - 1 - - -
Nunavut - 1 - - -

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

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