CANADA HISTORY - Elections

2004 ELECTION


The 2004 Federal Election in Canada

The 2004 federal election in Canada, held on June 28, marked a pivotal moment in Canadian politics. This election saw the governing Liberal Party, led by Paul Martin, transition from years of majority dominance under Jean Chrétien to a minority government. The emergence of a unified Conservative Party under Stephen Harper, the resurgence of the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, and the growing presence of the New Democratic Party (NDP) under Jack Layton all contributed to a dynamic and highly competitive election. The campaign was heavily influenced by the fallout from the Sponsorship Scandal, which cast a long shadow over the governing Liberals and fundamentally altered the political landscape.

Political Situation Before the Election

The political environment leading up to the 2004 federal election was shaped by a combination of long-standing Liberal dominance, corruption allegations, and the consolidation of the Canadian conservative movement.

Liberal Dominance Under Threat: Jean Chrétien had led the Liberal Party to three consecutive majority victories in 1993, 1997, and 2000. Chrétien's government was credited with eliminating the federal deficit and fostering economic growth during the 1990s. However, by 2004, the Liberal Party faced significant internal divisions. Chrétien stepped down in December 2003, and his long-time finance minister, Paul Martin, took over the leadership after a bitter rivalry. While Martin was initially seen as a highly competent leader, his tenure was soon overshadowed by the unfolding Sponsorship Scandal.

Sponsorship Scandal: The Sponsorship Scandal, also known as "AdScam," was a government corruption scandal involving the misuse of federal funds intended to promote Canadian unity in Quebec following the 1995 Quebec referendum. The scandal, revealed through the Gomery Commission in early 2004, implicated senior Liberal Party officials in kickbacks and improper payments to Liberal-linked advertising agencies. The scandal severely damaged the Liberal Party’s reputation, particularly in Quebec, and became the central issue of the 2004 election, overshadowing much of the Liberal government’s achievements.

Conservative Party Merger: In 2003, the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party merged to form the Conservative Party of Canada, marking a significant shift in Canadian politics. The merger aimed to consolidate right-wing voters and present a unified front against the Liberals. Stephen Harper, the former leader of the Canadian Alliance, became the leader of the new Conservative Party. Harper sought to move the party beyond its Western roots and establish it as a national alternative to the Liberals.

Bloc Québécois Resurgence: In Quebec, the Bloc Québécois, led by Gilles Duceppe, capitalized on the fallout from the Sponsorship Scandal. The Bloc, which advocates for Quebec sovereignty, positioned itself as the defender of Quebec's interests in the face of federal corruption, gaining significant support in the province.

NDP Revival: The New Democratic Party (NDP), under the leadership of Jack Layton, was undergoing a resurgence. Layton, who became leader in 2003, brought a dynamic and energetic approach to the party, focusing on progressive issues such as healthcare, education, and environmental protection. The NDP sought to expand its influence beyond its traditional base of left-leaning voters, aiming to attract disillusioned Liberals and urban progressives.

Party Leaders

Paul Martin (Liberal Party): Paul Martin had served as finance minister under Jean Chrétien and was credited with eliminating the federal deficit and overseeing Canada’s economic growth during the 1990s. After a lengthy leadership struggle, Martin became Prime Minister in December 2003. While initially popular, his leadership was quickly overshadowed by the Sponsorship Scandal. Martin attempted to distance himself from the scandal, but his ability to maintain the party’s credibility was in question throughout the campaign.

Stephen Harper (Conservative Party): Harper, the former leader of the Canadian Alliance, was seen as the face of the newly merged Conservative Party. His leadership represented a shift toward a more fiscally conservative and socially moderate platform, as he sought to broaden the party’s appeal beyond Western Canada. Harper campaigned on a platform of tax cuts, government reform, and cleaning up corruption, positioning the Conservatives as a credible alternative to the scandal-plagued Liberals.

Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Québécois): Duceppe had led the Bloc Québécois since 1997, and by 2004, the Bloc was enjoying renewed support in Quebec due to the Sponsorship Scandal. Duceppe’s leadership was focused on promoting Quebec sovereignty and defending Quebec’s interests within the federal system. The Bloc capitalized on the disillusionment with the Liberal Party in Quebec, portraying itself as the clean and principled alternative to federal corruption.

Jack Layton (New Democratic Party): Layton, a former Toronto city councillor, brought a fresh, energetic approach to the NDP. His leadership was focused on expanding the party’s appeal to urban voters, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia. Layton’s platform emphasized healthcare, education, social justice, and environmental protection. He sought to position the NDP as a progressive alternative to both the Liberals and Conservatives, hoping to attract voters dissatisfied with the status quo.

Issues of the Election

Several key issues shaped the 2004 federal election, with the Sponsorship Scandal being the most prominent:

Sponsorship Scandal: The Sponsorship Scandal dominated the election campaign, particularly in Quebec, where the Bloc Québécois used it to galvanize support. The scandal raised questions about government accountability, corruption, and ethics, severely damaging the Liberal Party’s credibility. Paul Martin attempted to portray himself as a reformer who would clean up the mess, but the damage to the party’s reputation was significant.

Government Accountability: In the wake of the Sponsorship Scandal, government transparency and accountability became central issues in the campaign. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives campaigned on the need for a more transparent government, promising to implement reforms to prevent corruption and restore public trust in government institutions.

Healthcare: Healthcare remained a critical issue for voters, with concerns about long wait times, underfunding, and the privatization of services. Both the Liberals and NDP promised to invest more in public healthcare to address these concerns. The Conservatives also pledged to increase healthcare funding but emphasized giving more control to the provinces.

Taxation: The Conservatives focused heavily on reducing taxes, particularly for middle-class Canadians. Harper promised to lower personal and corporate taxes, arguing that this would stimulate economic growth and create jobs. The Liberals, while also promising modest tax cuts, emphasized the need to balance tax relief with continued investments in social programs.

National Unity: National unity remained an underlying issue, particularly in Quebec, where the Bloc Québécois’ resurgence posed a challenge to federalist parties. The Liberals positioned themselves as the party best suited to keep the country united, while the Bloc campaigned on Quebec’s right to sovereignty and self-determination.

Campaign Strategies

Liberal Party: Paul Martin’s campaign faced an uphill battle due to the Sponsorship Scandal. Martin attempted to distance himself from the scandal, promising to restore integrity and transparency in government. The Liberals emphasized their strong economic record and promised investments in healthcare and social programs. However, Martin’s campaign struggled to regain the trust of voters, particularly in Quebec, where the Bloc Québécois dominated. The Liberals focused heavily on Ontario, where they needed to maintain their support to win another majority.

Conservative Party: Stephen Harper’s Conservatives ran a disciplined and focused campaign centered on government accountability, tax cuts, and ethical reform. Harper positioned the Conservatives as the clean alternative to the scandal-plagued Liberals, promising to implement reforms to prevent future corruption. The Conservatives also emphasized fiscal responsibility, smaller government, and lower taxes. However, Harper’s socially conservative views, particularly on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion, alienated some centrist voters, particularly in urban areas and Ontario.

Bloc Québécois: Gilles Duceppe’s Bloc Québécois ran a highly effective campaign in Quebec, capitalizing on the Sponsorship Scandal to position the Bloc as the defender of Quebec’s integrity. The Bloc focused on exposing Liberal corruption and advocating for Quebec sovereignty, resonating with Quebecers who were disillusioned with federal politics. Duceppe’s leadership was instrumental in the Bloc’s success, as he effectively tapped into the anger and frustration of Quebec voters.

New Democratic Party: Jack Layton’s NDP focused on progressive issues such as healthcare, education, and social justice. Layton’s dynamic leadership helped the NDP attract younger voters and urban progressives who were dissatisfied with both the Liberals and Conservatives. The NDP positioned itself as the party of social justice and ethical governance, hoping to increase its seat count by appealing to voters looking for a left-wing alternative.

Campaign Events and Election Day

The 2004 election campaign was dominated by the Sponsorship Scandal, which overshadowed much of the policy debate. The Liberals struggled to regain their footing after the revelations from the Gomery Commission, while the Conservatives gained momentum in the early stages of the campaign.

The televised leaders' debates were a key moment in the campaign, with Stephen Harper presenting a strong case for government accountability and fiscal conservatism. Paul Martin, while defending his government’s economic record, struggled to shake off the taint of the Sponsorship Scandal. Jack Layton performed well, presenting the NDP as the progressive alternative, while Gilles Duceppe effectively used the debate to criticize the Liberals and advocate for Quebec sovereignty.

On election day, June 28, 2004, the results were as follows:

Liberal Party: The Liberals won 135 seats, down from 172 in the 2000 election, resulting in a minority government. While the Liberals managed to hold onto power, the Sponsorship Scandal severely damaged their support, particularly in Quebec.

Conservative Party: The Conservatives won 99 seats, marking a significant gain from the combined total of 78 seats held by the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives in the previous Parliament. Harper’s leadership helped consolidate the right-wing vote, but the party failed to make the necessary inroads in Ontario to win the election.

Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois won 54 seats, a major gain from the 38 seats they held before the election. The Bloc’s resurgence was driven by the Sponsorship Scandal, and the party dominated Quebec, where it capitalized on voter discontent with the Liberals.

New Democratic Party: The NDP won 19 seats, a modest increase from the 13 seats they held previously. Jack Layton’s leadership helped the party gain traction among progressive voters, particularly in urban areas, but the NDP remained a distant fourth in the overall seat count.

Aftermath

The 2004 federal election resulted in a Liberal minority government, marking the first time in over a decade that the Liberals did not win a majority. Paul Martin’s leadership was weakened by the results, as the Sponsorship Scandal continued to haunt the party. While the Liberals remained in power, they would face a more challenging political landscape, with the opposition parties, particularly the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois, holding significant power in Parliament.

For the Conservative Party, the election was a major step forward, as the party increased its seat count and emerged as the clear alternative to the Liberals. While Stephen Harper did not win the election, his leadership helped consolidate the conservative vote and position the party for future success.

The Bloc Québécois enjoyed a resurgence in Quebec, where Gilles Duceppe’s leadership and the fallout from the Sponsorship Scandal helped the party solidify its position as the dominant political force in the province.

The NDP, under Jack Layton, made modest gains, with Layton’s leadership helping to re-energize the party. The NDP’s focus on healthcare, social justice, and ethical governance resonated with progressive voters, and the party was positioned to grow further in future elections.

The 2004 election set the stage for a period of political instability in Canada, with the Liberal minority government facing the constant threat of defeat in Parliament. This election marked the beginning of the end for the Liberal dominance that had characterized Canadian politics for over a decade, as the Conservative Party under Stephen Harper would continue to gain momentum in the years to come.

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Paul Martin - Liberal

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Stephen Harper - Conservatives

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Jack Layton - NDP

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Gilles Duceppe - Bloc

Election
Party
Elected Members # of Candidates % of Popular Vote % of Seats
2004 (June 28th)  - Official Turnout: 60.0 %   Actual Turnout: 64.1% -
Liberal  135 301 36.7 % 43.8 %
Conservative Party of Canada 99 298 29.6 % 32.1 %
Bloc Québécois  54 75 12.4 % 17.5 %
New Democratic Party  19 298 15.7 % 6.2 %
Other  1 545 1.4 % .3 %
Total 301 1,808    
Government--135, Opposition--166, Minority--31
Total - 265 Conser Liberal NDP/ CCF Social Credit Other
Canada 208 48 8 - 1
Newfoundland 2 5 - - -
PEI 4 - - - -
Nova Scotia 12 - - - -
New Brunswick 7 3 - - -
Quebec 50 25 - - -
Ontario 67 14 3 - 1
Manitoba 14 - - - -
Saskatchewan 16 - 1 - -
Alberta 17 - - - -
BC 18 - 4 - -
Yukon 1 - - - -
NWT - 1 - - -

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

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