When Canada’s Conservative Party Went From A Majority To Just 2 Seats

Canada’s political script took a dramatic flip in early 2025, pushing the nation in direction of an sudden snap election in April – months forward of the scheduled October timeline. The catalyst was the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January, setting the stage for an all-new electoral panorama.

In his place rose Mark Carney – former central banker turned Prime Minister – now tasked with rallying a divided Liberal base and defending Canada’s international standing. Throughout the aisle stands Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative chief who has spent the previous couple of years galvanising help with guarantees of tax cuts, harder borders, and a contemporary financial agenda.

This political shift is drawing comparability to a different second of dramatic upheaval – the 1993 federal election, recognized for some of the devastating defeats within the historical past of contemporary democracies. Often called the Conservative Social gathering of Canada at the moment, the political outfit got here into being after the merger of the 2 most important right-leaning events, the Progressive Conservative Social gathering (PC Social gathering) and the Canadian Alliance in 2003.

Again in 1993, the ruling Progressive Conservative Social gathering, led by Kim Campbell – the primary and solely feminine prime minister of Canada – suffered an astonishing collapse. From a commanding 156 seats, the get together was diminished to simply two. The wipeout did not simply finish a authorities; it dismantled a celebration and fractured conservative politics for years.

What Went Fallacious In 1993?

A number of elements performed into it. First, Campbell had solely lately taken over from Brian Mulroney, whose authorities had grown deeply unpopular as a consequence of financial downturns, the introduction of the Items and Companies Tax (GST), and failed constitutional reforms just like the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords. Although Campbell was personally well-liked and seen as a contemporary face, the voters was unforgiving.

Second, the conservative vote cut up sharply. The newly fashioned Reform Social gathering (1987), led by Preston Manning, surged within the West, whereas the Bloc Quebecois – born out of Quebec’s nationalist motion – dominated the province. That left the Progressive Conservatives squeezed from each side, with no regional stronghold to fall again on.

Third, the Liberals, led by Jean Chretien, capitalised on the unrest, promising jobs, progress, and a break from Mulroney-era fatigue. Their message resonated throughout the nation, incomes them 177 seats and a decisive majority, lowering the Conservative Social gathering to simply two seats.

twentieth Prime Minister Of Canada

Jean Chretien turned Prime Minister of Canada after the 1993 federal election.

He led the Liberal Social gathering to an enormous majority victory, profitable 177 of the 295 seats within the Home of Commons. Chretien was formally sworn in as Prime Minister on November 4, 1993, succeeding Kim Campbell of the Progressive Conservatives.

Chretien would go on to function Prime Minister for a decade – from 1993 to 2003 – making him one in all Canada’s longest-serving leaders.