Canadian federal election, 1974
The 30th Canadian General Election (English 30th Canadian General Election, French 30e élection fédérale canadienne ) took place on July 8, 1974. Were elected 264 Members of the Canadian House of Commons (English House of Commons, French Chambre des Communes ). The Liberal Party of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who led a minority government for two years, could increase their share of the vote and won an absolute majority of seats.
The choice
Main theme of the campaign was to curb high inflation. Opposition leader Robert Stanfield, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, had proposed to freeze prices and wages for 90 days. Trudeau saw this as an attack on the right of entrepreneurs and workers to negotiate wages themselves and went about it with the famous quote " Zap! You're frozen! " ( Zap! You are frozen! ) Funny. Only a year later he himself led a wage and price controls.
The election results brought about a division of the country. The Progressive Conservatives were particularly strong in the West what the liberals but could with their earnings in Ontario and Quebec more than compensate. The New Democratic Party lost almost half its seats, the Social Credit Party suffered losses.
The turnout was 71.0 %.