CANADA HISTORY - Elections

2011 ELECTION


The 2011 Federal Election in Canada

The 2011 federal election in Canada, held on May 2, was a historic turning point in Canadian politics. Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party achieved their long-sought majority government after two previous minority victories, while the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jack Layton, surged to become the Official Opposition for the first time in its history. The election also saw the collapse of the Liberal Party, under Michael Ignatieff, who suffered the worst defeat in the party’s long history, while the Bloc Québécois was nearly wiped out. Elizabeth May of the Green Party made history by winning her party’s first seat in the House of Commons.

Political Situation Before the Election

The 2011 election was triggered after Stephen Harper’s Conservative government was defeated by a vote of no confidence in March 2011. The opposition parties had accused Harper's government of contempt of Parliament, making it the first time in Canadian history that a government was brought down on such grounds. This followed years of political tension, as Harper had governed with a minority since 2006, frequently facing opposition from the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc Québécois.

Conservative Minority Government (2006-2011): Stephen Harper had led two minority governments after the 2006 and 2008 elections. His government was marked by a focus on economic management, tax cuts, tough-on-crime policies, and military investment. However, Harper’s leadership style was often criticized as overly controlling, secretive, and hostile to parliamentary norms. Harper’s government was frequently accused of being highly partisan, and his decision-making process often raised concerns about transparency and accountability.

Economic Context: Harper’s government had successfully navigated Canada through the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, positioning Canada as one of the most stable economies among G7 nations. Canada’s banking system remained intact, and the country experienced less severe economic fallout than many others. As a result, Harper campaigned on his record as a stable economic manager, emphasizing the need for continuity in leadership to maintain Canada’s recovery.

Weakness of the Opposition: The Liberal Party, once the dominant force in Canadian politics, had been in decline since its defeat in 2006. Michael Ignatieff, who became the leader in 2009, faced persistent challenges to his leadership, as well as attacks from the Conservatives framing him as an outsider who had lived abroad for much of his life. The NDP, under Jack Layton, had steadily been increasing its seat count, but few expected the breakthrough it would experience in this election. Meanwhile, the Bloc Québécois, led by Gilles Duceppe, was facing growing discontent in Quebec, as voters increasingly shifted their focus away from sovereignty to social and economic issues.

Party Leaders

Stephen Harper (Conservative Party): Harper had been Prime Minister since 2006 and led the Conservative Party into the 2011 election seeking a majority government. His leadership focused on economic stability, fiscal conservatism, and a tough stance on crime. Harper's campaign emphasized the need for strong, stable leadership during a time of global economic uncertainty, portraying the Conservatives as the only party capable of ensuring Canada’s continued prosperity.

Michael Ignatieff (Liberal Party): Ignatieff, a former academic and author, had taken over as Liberal leader in 2009 after Stéphane Dion’s resignation. Ignatieff’s leadership was often criticized as disconnected from the average voter, and the Conservative campaign effectively framed him as someone who was “just visiting” Canada after years of living abroad. Ignatieff struggled to rally support for the Liberals, and internal party divisions further weakened his position during the campaign.

Jack Layton (New Democratic Party): Layton was the charismatic and down-to-earth leader of the NDP, having led the party since 2003. His campaign focused on healthcare, pensions, job creation, and reducing inequality. Layton’s personal appeal, combined with a populist message, resonated with voters across Canada, particularly in Quebec, where the NDP experienced an unprecedented surge in support during the campaign.

Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Québécois): Duceppe had led the Bloc Québécois since 1997 and was a veteran of Quebec’s federal politics. However, by 2011, the Bloc’s emphasis on Quebec sovereignty was losing traction, as Quebecers became more focused on social and economic issues rather than independence. The Bloc had long dominated Quebec’s political landscape, but its relevance was increasingly being challenged by the NDP.

Elizabeth May (Green Party): May was the first female leader of a national political party in Canada and had led the Green Party since 2006. Her focus on environmental sustainability, climate change, and social justice helped raise the profile of the Greens. Although the party had not yet won a seat in Parliament, May’s leadership and participation in national debates helped the Greens gain greater visibility.

Issues of the Election

The 2011 election was shaped by several key issues, with the economy, healthcare, government accountability, and Quebec’s political landscape being central concerns for voters:

Economic Stability: The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 had been a defining moment for Harper’s government, and the Conservatives emphasized their record of economic management throughout the campaign. Harper’s message was that his government had kept Canada stable during a global downturn and that continued Conservative leadership was needed to ensure the country’s future prosperity. Harper’s economic platform included tax cuts, a focus on job creation, and reducing the deficit without slashing public services.

Healthcare: Healthcare remained a top priority for Canadians. Layton’s NDP made it a central part of their platform, promising to increase funding to reduce wait times and improve access to medical services. The Liberals also emphasized the importance of strengthening the public healthcare system, while the Conservatives promised to maintain healthcare funding but emphasized fiscal restraint.

Government Accountability and Parliamentary Reform: Harper’s leadership style and his government’s handling of parliamentary affairs became major campaign issues. The vote of no confidence that triggered the election was based on the Conservative government being found in contempt of Parliament, the first time this had happened in Canadian history. The opposition parties accused Harper of being secretive, overly partisan, and disrespectful of democratic norms. Harper, in response, framed these issues as distractions from his government’s record of economic management.

Quebec and National Unity: While Quebec sovereignty was not the defining issue it had been in past elections, Quebec’s role in the federation and its relationship with Ottawa remained important. The Bloc Québécois, which had traditionally dominated Quebec’s federal politics, was struggling to maintain relevance, as many Quebecers increasingly focused on social and economic issues. This shift opened the door for the NDP, whose message of social justice and economic fairness resonated with Quebec voters.

Campaign Strategies

Conservative Party: Harper’s campaign was built around the theme of “strong, stable, majority government.” The Conservatives framed themselves as the only party capable of providing the stability needed to maintain Canada’s economic growth. Harper avoided divisive social issues and focused on practical policies, such as tax cuts, job creation, and crime reduction. The Conservative campaign also aggressively targeted Michael Ignatieff, portraying him as an elitist outsider who was not committed to Canada. Harper’s disciplined and tightly controlled campaign strategy, which limited media access and focused on a small number of key messages, proved effective.

Liberal Party: Ignatieff’s campaign struggled from the outset. The Liberals attempted to focus on healthcare, education, and democratic reform, but Ignatieff’s leadership was constantly questioned, and the party failed to generate significant momentum. The Conservatives’ attacks on Ignatieff, particularly the “just visiting” campaign, effectively undermined his credibility. The Liberal campaign also lacked a clear and compelling narrative, and internal divisions within the party further weakened their ability to challenge the Conservatives.

New Democratic Party: Layton’s NDP ran an energetic and focused campaign, with a populist message centered on healthcare, pensions, and job creation. Layton’s personal appeal and charisma helped the NDP gain traction with voters, particularly in Quebec. The NDP’s message of social justice and fairness resonated with working-class Canadians and those frustrated with the traditional parties. Layton’s leadership, combined with the NDP’s progressive platform, helped propel the party to unprecedented success.

Bloc Québécois: Duceppe’s Bloc Québécois ran a campaign focused on defending Quebec’s interests within the federal system. However, the Bloc’s traditional emphasis on sovereignty was less compelling to many voters, who were increasingly concerned with economic and social issues. The Bloc’s inability to adapt to changing political dynamics in Quebec proved to be a significant weakness, as the NDP surged in the province.

Green Party: Elizabeth May’s Green Party focused on environmental sustainability, climate change, and social justice. May’s participation in the national leaders’ debates helped raise the profile of the Greens, and the party campaigned on a platform of environmental responsibility and progressive values. The Green Party targeted specific ridings where it believed it could make a breakthrough, particularly May’s own riding of Saanich—Gulf Islands.

Election Day and Results

On election day, May 2, 2011, the results were historic:

Conservative Party: The Conservatives won 166 seats, securing a majority government. This marked a significant achievement for Stephen Harper, who had led two previous minority governments. The Conservative majority allowed Harper to govern without relying on opposition support to pass legislation. The party’s strong performance in Ontario and the West helped solidify its dominance.

New Democratic Party: The NDP won 103 seats, making it the Official Opposition for the first time in Canadian history. The “Orange Wave” in Quebec, where the NDP won 59 out of 75 seats, was the most dramatic shift of the election. Layton’s populist message and personal appeal resonated with voters, particularly in Quebec, where the NDP’s social justice platform eclipsed the Bloc Québécois.

Liberal Party: The Liberals won only 34 seats, marking the worst defeat in the party’s history. Michael Ignatieff failed to connect with voters, and the party’s internal divisions and lack of a compelling platform led to a collapse in support. Ignatieff himself lost his seat, and the Liberals fell to third place in Parliament for the first time ever.

Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois was nearly wiped out, winning only 4 seats, down from the 47 seats they held before the election. The NDP’s surge in Quebec devastated the Bloc, and Gilles Duceppe lost his own seat. The Bloc’s defeat marked the end of its dominance in Quebec politics.

Green Party: Elizabeth May won the party’s first-ever seat in the House of Commons, representing Saanich—Gulf Islands in British Columbia. May’s victory was a historic moment for the Green Party, which had long struggled to break into Parliament.

Aftermath

The 2011 federal election fundamentally reshaped Canada’s political landscape. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives emerged with a strong majority government, giving Harper the power to implement his agenda without the constant threat of defeat. The Conservative victory also marked a shift in Canadian politics toward the right, as Harper’s government pursued a more conservative fiscal and social policy agenda.

For the New Democratic Party, the 2011 election was a historic breakthrough. Jack Layton’s leadership and the NDP’s unprecedented success in Quebec transformed the party into the Official Opposition, solidifying its place as a major political force in Canada. However, the NDP’s victory was bittersweet, as Layton was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the election and passed away in August 2011, leaving the party in mourning and facing the challenge of finding new leadership.

The Liberal Party faced a crisis of identity and leadership following the election. Michael Ignatieff resigned as leader shortly after the election, and the party entered a period of introspection and rebuilding. The Liberals’ collapse raised questions about their future role in Canadian politics and whether they could reclaim their status as Canada’s “natural governing party.”

The Bloc Québécois was devastated by the election results, and its future as a political force in Quebec was called into question. Gilles Duceppe resigned as leader after losing his seat, and the party faced an uncertain future.

The Green Party, while only winning a single seat, made history with Elizabeth May’s election to Parliament. May’s victory gave the Greens a foothold in the House of Commons, and the party continued to push for environmental and social justice issues in the years following the election.

Overall, the 2011 election marked a dramatic realignment in Canadian politics, with the rise of the NDP, the collapse of the Liberals and Bloc Québécois, and the establishment of a Conservative majority government under Stephen Harper.

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Stephen Harper - Conservatives

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Jack Layton - NDP

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Michael Ignatieff - Liberal

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Elizabeth May - Green

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Gilles Duceppe - Bloc

Election
Party
Elected Members # of Candidates % of Popular Vote % of Seats
2011 (May 2)  - Official Turnout: 61.2 %   Actual Turnout: 64.1% -
Conservative Party 166 301 39.62 %  %
Liberal  34 298 18.91 %  %
Bloc Québécois  4 75 6.04 %  %
New Democratic Party  103 298 30.63 % %
Green Party  1 545 3.91 %  %
Total 301 1,808    
Government--124, Opposition--204, Minority

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

Source: NA



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