Canadian federal election, 1963
The 26th Canadian General Election (English 26th Canadian General Election, French 26e élection fédérale canadienne ) took place on April 8, 1963. Were elected 265 Members of the Canadian House of Commons (English House of Commons, French Chambre des Communes ). Election winner was the Liberal Party of Lester Pearson, but narrowly missed the absolute majority and therefore form a minority government had to.
The choice
Since the elections of 1962, the Progressive Conservative government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker had only a minority. In addition, the government split into two camps. Diefenbaker and his allies spoke against the stationing of American Bomarc nuclear missiles on Canadian soil, while many Conservatives and the Liberal opposition were in favor. Defence Minister Douglas Harkness resigned because Diefenbakers rejection on 4 February 1963. The following day, the government lost a vote of no confidence, leading to fresh elections by themselves.
The Liberals have increased their share of the vote though, but for the absolute majority of them were missing seven seats. They made themselves a minority government, which had the support of the New Democratic Party ( NDP) dependent. The NDP suffered minor losses. The Social Credit Party lost seats and split half a year later after internal power struggles in an English and a French-speaking party, the Ralliement créditiste.
The turnout was 79.2 %, the highest ever in the history of the country.