It saw the birth of not one but two new political parties (The Bloc Québécois & Reform) which would become the 2nd and 3rd largest parties respectively in Canada’ House of Commons.
But most surprising of all, was the almost entire wipe-out of Canada’s Progressive Conservative (PC) party.
It won the previous election in 1988 with 169 seats out of 295 total under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
However, Kim Campbell (Mulroney’s successor and to date Canada’s only female Prime Minister) lost her own seat and saw the party reduced to a rump of just 2 MPs.
To see just how bonkers this was take a look at the map from 1988.
| Party | Number of Seats 1993 | Number of Seats 1988 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberals | 177 | 83 | +94 |
| Bloc Québécois (Quebec Only) | 54 | 0 | +54 |
| Reform | 52 | 0 | +52 |
| New Democratic Party | 9 | 43 | -34 |
| Progressive Conservatives | 2 | 169 | -167 |
And here’s the change in the vote share:
| Party | Vote Share 1993 | Vote Share 1988 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberals | 41.24% | 31.92% | +9.32 |
| Bloc Québécois (Quebec Only) | 13.52% | N/A | +13.52% |
| Reform | 18.69% | 2.09% | +16.6% |
| New Democratic Party | 6.88% | 20.38% | -13.5% |
| Progressive Conservatives | 16.04% | 43.02% | -26.98% |
A few things to point out about the huge discrepancies between vote share and number of seats won.
- The Progressive Conservatives lost 63% of their vote share, but 99% of their seats.
- The Bloc Québécois won 13.52% of the national vote share, but only ran candidates in 75 out of 295 ridings in Quebec representing (25% of all ridings overall)
- The Reform Party got more votes than the Bloc Québécois, yet won fewer seats because they ran in 207 ridings.
- The Reform Party also only got 2.65% more vote share than the PCs but 26X more MPs.
- Often overlooked was the collapse of the New Democratic Party which lost 66% of its vote share and 79% of it’s MPs.
Timeline Leading Up To The 1993 Election
The leadup to Canada’s 1993 federal election involved significant political events and changes. Here is a timeline of key events leading up to the election:
1991
- June 23: The federal Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, led by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, faces criticism for implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
1992
- June 12: Finance Minister Michael Wilson resigns, succeeded by Don Mazankowski.
- August 22: Constitutional talks lead to the Charlottetown Accord, proposing major constitutional changes including Senate reform and Indigenous rights.
1993
- February 24: Brian Mulroney announces his resignation as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, effective June 25.
- June 13: The PC Party holds a leadership convention; Kim Campbell wins and becomes the new leader.
- June 25: Kim Campbell is sworn in as Canada’s first female Prime Minister.
- September 8: Campbell calls a federal election for October 25.
Campaign Period (September – October 1993)
- September 8: Election campaign officially begins.
- September 19: The Liberal Party, led by Jean Chrétien, releases its “Red Book” platform, focusing on job creation and economic growth.
- October 12: The Reform Party, led by Preston Manning, emphasizes fiscal conservatism and regional representation.
- October 25: The federal election is held.
This timeline highlights the major political shifts and events that set the stage for the 1993 Canadian federal election.
What Happened?
The 1993 Canadian federal election resulted in significant changes compared to the 1988 election. Here’s a summary of the major differences:
1988 Election
- Major Parties: The Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, the Liberal Party, and the New Democratic Party (NDP) were the major players.
- Prime Minister: Brian Mulroney (PC) won re-election.
- Key Issues: The primary issue was the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which Mulroney strongly supported and the Liberals opposed.
- Results:
- Progressive Conservatives: 169 seats
- Liberals: 83 seats
- NDP: 43 seats
1993 Election
- Major Changes in Parties:
- The rise of new parties: the Reform Party and the Bloc Québécois.
- Decline of the Progressive Conservative Party.
- Prime Minister: Kim Campbell (PC) started as Prime Minister but was succeeded by Jean Chrétien (Liberal) after the election.
- Key Issues: Economic issues, the national debt, and government spending. There was also a shift in regional representation, with the Reform Party gaining support in the West and the Bloc Québécois in Quebec.
- Results:
- Liberals: 177 seats
- Bloc Québécois: 54 seats
- Reform Party: 52 seats
- New Democratic Party: 9 seats
- Progressive Conservatives: 2 seats
Key Differences
- Party Landscape:
- The PC Party, which had a strong majority in 1988, was reduced to just 2 seats in 1993, marking one of the most dramatic falls in Canadian political history.
- The Reform Party and the Bloc Québécois emerged as significant forces, reshaping the political landscape.
- The Liberal Party, under Jean Chrétien, won a decisive majority.
- Regional Dynamics:
- The Bloc Québécois became the dominant party in Quebec.
- The Reform Party gained significant support in Western Canada, advocating for fiscal conservatism and regional representation.
- Leadership Changes:
- Brian Mulroney resigned, and Kim Campbell took over as Prime Minister before the election. However, her leadership was short-lived as the PCs were heavily defeated.
- Jean Chrétien became the new Prime Minister, leading the Liberals to a strong majority.
- Policy Focus:
- The 1988 election was heavily centered on the Free Trade Agreement, while the 1993 election focused more on economic issues, government spending, and regional discontent.
Summary Party By Party
The 1993 Canadian federal election brought about dramatic changes for each of the major political parties. Here’s a detailed look at what happened to each party:
Progressive Conservative Party (PC)
- Decline: The Progressive Conservatives suffered a catastrophic defeat, going from a majority government with 169 seats in 1988 to only 2 seats in 1993. This is one of the worst defeats in Canadian political history for a governing party.
- Leadership Change: Brian Mulroney resigned as leader in early 1993, and Kim Campbell took over. Despite initial popularity, Campbell’s campaign struggled, and the party’s support collapsed.
- Factors: Contributing factors included voter fatigue after nine years of PC rule, dissatisfaction with the GST and economic recession, and internal party divisions.
Liberal Party
- Victory: The Liberal Party, led by Jean Chrétien, won a decisive majority, increasing their seats from 83 in 1988 to 177 in 1993.
- Strategy: The Liberals ran a highly effective campaign focusing on job creation, economic growth, and fiscal responsibility. Their platform was detailed in the “Red Book.”
- Leadership: Jean Chrétien’s experience and moderate approach resonated with voters looking for change but wary of more radical options.
New Democratic Party (NDP)
- Decline: The NDP saw a significant reduction in their representation, falling from 43 seats in 1988 to 9 seats in 1993.
- Leadership: Audrey McLaughlin led the NDP during this period, but the party struggled to maintain its base amid changing political dynamics.
- Challenges: The rise of the Reform Party in the West and the Bloc Québécois in Quebec eroded traditional NDP support.
Reform Party
- Emergence: The Reform Party, led by Preston Manning, made a significant breakthrough, winning 52 seats. This was a dramatic rise from having no seats in 1988.
- Platform: The Reform Party capitalized on regional discontent in Western Canada, advocating for fiscal conservatism, smaller government, and increased regional representation.
- Impact: The Reform Party’s success marked the beginning of a shift in Canadian conservatism, moving away from the PC’s traditional base.
Bloc Québécois
- Emergence: The Bloc Québécois, led by Lucien Bouchard, also emerged as a major force, winning 54 seats. This was their first federal election, and they became the official opposition.
- Platform: The Bloc focused on promoting Quebec sovereignty and defending Quebec’s interests within Canada.
- Regional Impact: Their success was concentrated in Quebec, reflecting regional dissatisfaction with federal policies and the desire for greater autonomy.
Summary of Changes
- Progressive Conservative Party: Nearly obliterated, reduced to a marginal player.
- Liberal Party: Achieved a dominant majority, positioned as the central governing party.
- New Democratic Party: Significantly weakened, losing much of its previous support.
- Reform Party: Emerged as a significant political force, reshaping the conservative landscape.
- Bloc Québécois: Became a major player in Quebec and the second-largest party in the House of Commons.
These changes reshaped Canada’s political landscape, ending a period of Progressive Conservative dominance and introducing new regional dynamics with the rise of the Reform Party and Bloc Québécois. The Liberal Party’s victory marked the beginning of a decade-long dominance under Jean Chrétien.
Why were Lucien Bouchard, Jean Chrétien and Preston Manning so popular and Kim Campbell and Audrey McLaughlin so unpopular?
The popularity of Lucien Bouchard, Jean Chrétien, and Preston Manning, contrasted with the unpopularity of Kim Campbell and Audrey McLaughlin, can be attributed to a combination of leadership qualities, campaign strategies, and broader political and economic contexts.
Here’s a closer look at the reasons behind their differing levels of popularity:
Lucien Bouchard (Bloc Québécois)
- Charismatic Leadership: Bouchard was a charismatic and articulate leader who resonated well with Quebec voters. His ability to communicate and advocate for Quebec’s interests made him a strong figure in Quebec politics.
- Clear Vision: The Bloc Québécois had a clear and focused vision centered on Quebec sovereignty and protecting Quebec’s interests within Canada. This clear stance appealed to many Quebecers who felt their needs were not being adequately addressed by the federal government.
- Context: The rise of the Bloc was partly due to the dissatisfaction with the federal government’s handling of Quebec issues, particularly after the failure of the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords.
Jean Chrétien (Liberal Party)
- Experienced Leadership: Chrétien had extensive political experience, having served in various ministerial roles. This experience gave him a reputation as a competent and reliable leader.
- Effective Campaign: The Liberal Party’s campaign was well-organized and centered around the “Red Book,” which outlined a detailed and practical plan for economic recovery and job creation. This resonated with voters concerned about the economy.
- Moderate Approach: Chrétien’s moderate and pragmatic approach appealed to a broad base of Canadians looking for stability and effective governance after years of Progressive Conservative rule.
Preston Manning (Reform Party)
- Western Discontent: Manning tapped into the regional discontent in Western Canada, advocating for greater regional representation and fiscal conservatism. His message resonated with voters who felt alienated by the traditional parties.
- Fresh Alternative: The Reform Party presented itself as a fresh and honest alternative to the established parties, which many voters perceived as corrupt or out of touch.
- Clear Messaging: Manning’s clear and straightforward messaging on key issues like fiscal responsibility and smaller government appealed to conservative voters.
Kim Campbell (Progressive Conservative Party)
- Economic Discontent: Campbell inherited a government facing economic recession, high unemployment, and widespread dissatisfaction with the GST and other policies.
- Leadership Transition: Taking over from Brian Mulroney just months before the election, Campbell did not have enough time to establish her own vision and leadership style distinct from Mulroney’s unpopular legacy.
- Campaign Missteps: The PC campaign made several missteps, including negative advertising that backfired. Campbell also struggled to connect with voters on key issues.
Audrey McLaughlin (New Democratic Party)
- Loss of Support Base: The NDP lost support to the emerging Reform Party in the West and the Bloc Québécois in Quebec. This regional shift weakened their traditional base.
- Leadership Challenges: McLaughlin struggled to present a compelling and unified vision for the party amidst internal divisions and external competition.
- Economic Focus: The NDP’s platform did not resonate as strongly with voters focused on economic recovery and fiscal conservatism, areas where the Reform Party and the Liberals had stronger appeal.
What happened to the Progressive Conservative party after 1993?
The Progressive Conservative (PC) Party faced significant challenges and underwent major transformations following its catastrophic defeat in the 1993 federal election. Here’s a detailed account of what happened to the PC Party after 1993:
Immediate Aftermath (1993-1997)
- Electoral Defeat: The 1993 election reduced the PCs from 169 seats to just 2 seats in the House of Commons, marking the most dramatic collapse of a major political party in Canadian history.
- Leadership Changes: Kim Campbell resigned as party leader following the defeat. Jean Charest became the interim leader and was later elected as the party leader.
- Rebuilding Efforts: Under Charest’s leadership, the PC Party focused on rebuilding its base and regaining voter trust. The party sought to distance itself from the unpopular policies and legacy of the Mulroney years.
1997 Federal Election
- Modest Recovery: In the 1997 federal election, the PCs experienced a modest recovery, increasing their seat count from 2 to 20. This was still a far cry from their former status as a major political force, but it was a step towards rebuilding.
Early 2000s and the Road to Merger
- Declining Influence: Despite the modest gains in 1997, the PC Party continued to struggle against the Liberals’ dominance and the growing strength of the Reform Party, which later became the Canadian Alliance.
- Leadership Changes: Joe Clark returned as party leader in 1998, attempting to restore the party’s fortunes. However, the PCs failed to make significant gains in the 2000 federal election, winning only 12 seats.
- Discussions of Unity: The early 2000s saw increasing discussions about uniting the right to create a stronger opposition to the Liberal Party. This was driven by the recognition that a divided conservative vote was benefiting the Liberals.
Merger with the Canadian Alliance (2003)
- Creation of the Conservative Party of Canada: In 2003, after extensive negotiations, the PC Party and the Canadian Alliance agreed to merge, forming the Conservative Party of Canada. The merger aimed to consolidate conservative forces and present a united front against the Liberals.
- Leadership: Peter MacKay, the last leader of the PC Party, played a crucial role in the merger talks. Stephen Harper, the leader of the Canadian Alliance, became the first leader of the new Conservative Party of Canada.
After the Merger
- Rise of the New Conservative Party: The newly formed Conservative Party quickly became a significant political force. Stephen Harper led the party to victory in the 2006 federal election, becoming Prime Minister and ending over a decade of Liberal rule.
- Legacy of the PC Party: The merger effectively marked the end of the Progressive Conservative Party as a standalone entity. However, its legacy continued within the Conservative Party of Canada, which blended elements of the PC Party’s policies and traditions with those of the Canadian Alliance.
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