2011 Canadian federal election

none September 2026 September 2026 2011 Canadian federal election Canada parliamentary no no no 2008 Canadian federal election 2008 List of House members of the 40th Parliament of Canada 2015 Canadian federal election 2015 List of House members of the 41st Parliament of Canada 308 seats in the House of Commons 155 seats needed for a majority 2011 5 2 Opinion polling in the Canadian federal election, 2011 61.1% ( 2.3 pp) x160px Stephen Harper by Remy Steinegger Infobox.jpg 130 120 160 0 5 CA Conservative nohash Stephen Harper March 20, 2004 CA Conservative name Calgary Southwest 143 seats, 37.65% 143 166 23 5,832,401 39.62% 1.97 pp Jack Layton, Leaders Tour - Tournée du Chef - Winnipeg Rally (5628700843) (cropped).jpg 120 120 160 0 0 CA NDP nohash Jack Layton CA NDP name January 25, 2003 Toronto—Danforth 37 seats, 18.18% 36 103 67 4,508,474 30.63% 12.45 pp Victoria, BC Liberal Town Hall Forum public libéral.jpg 130 120 160 10 3 CA Liberal nohash Michael Ignatieff CA Liberal name May 2, 2009 Etobicoke—Lakeshore(lost re-election) 77 seats, 26.26% 77 34 43 2,783,175 18.91% 7.35 pp Gilles Duceppe 2011-04-01 (cropped).jpg 120 120 160 0 0 CA BQ nohash Gilles Duceppe CA BQ name March 15, 1997 Laurier—Sainte-Marie(lost re-election) 49 seats, 9.98% 47 4 43 889,788 6.04% 3.94 pp Elizabeth May 2a.jpg 140 120 160 0 10 CA Green nohash Elizabeth May CA Green name August 27, 2006 Ran in Saanich—Gulf Islands (won) 0 seats, 6.78% 0 1 1 576,221 3.91% 2.87 pp 400px Results by riding 400px Results by province and territory Prime Minister Stephen Harper CA Conservative name Prime Minister after election Stephen Harper CA Conservative name The 2011 Canadian federal election was held on May 2, 2011, to elect members to the House of Commons of the 41st Canadian Parliament. The writs of election for the 2011 election were issued by Governor General David Johnston on March 26. Prime Minister Stephen Harper advised the Governor General to dissolve parliament after the House of Commons passed a motion of non-confidence against the government, finding it to be in contempt of Parliament. A few days before, the three opposition parties had rejected the minority government's proposed budget.Wells Paul http://www.macleans.ca/2011/05/05/not-feeling-the-love/ The untold story of the 2011 election: Chapter 2 Maclean's 2011-05-05 2012-03-19 2012-04-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20120423195236/http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/05/05/not-feeling-the-love/ live The Conservative Party remained in power, increasing its seat count from a minority to a majority government, marking the first election since 1988 that a right-of-centre party formed a majority government. The Liberal Party, sometimes dubbed the "natural governing party", was reduced to third party status for the first time as they won the fewest seats in its history, and party leader Michael Ignatieff was defeated in his riding. The Bloc Québécois lost official party status for the first time since contesting general elections in 1993. Party leader Gilles Duceppe was defeated in his riding and subsequently resigned as leader. The New Democratic Party led by Jack Layton won the largest number of seats in its history, enabling it to form the Official Opposition for the first time in the party's history, as they made a major breakthrough in Quebec, though they still trailed the Conservative Party by almost ten points. The Green Party elected its first member to the House of Commons with its leader, Elizabeth May, becoming MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands. To date, this is the only election in Canadian history in which the modern day Conservative Party won a majority of seats and one of only two times that any party achieved a majority of seats in an election since the modern Conservative Party's founding in 2003 (the other time being the Liberal Party in the 2015 election). Background 40th Canadian Parliament The 2008 federal election resulted in the continuation of the incumbent Conservative minority government, headed by Stephen Harper. The 40th Parliament was marked by two controversial prorogations: the first in December 2008 which ended an attempted opposition coalition, and the second a year following, which prompted public protests. Following the first prorogation, Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Party provided support for the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. On August 31, 2009, the Liberals withdrew their backing but the NDP under Jack Layton abstained and the Conservatives survived the confidence motion.https://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE58T4BE20091001 David Ljunggren Canada's government survives non-confidence motion Reuters Canada 2009-10-01 2019-11-29 2019-08-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20190813185821/https://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE58T4BE20091001 dead Ignatieff's attempt to force a September 2009 election was reported as a miscalculation, as polls showed that most Canadians did not want another election.Despite Election Rhetoric, Seven in Ten (68%) Canadians Say There's 'No Need for an Election', Majority (51%) Says County Heading in 'Right Direction', Minority (41%) 'Wrong', Ipsos http://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=4420 Ipsos Market Research 2011-12-18 2009-06-06 2011-12-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20111215065705/http://ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=4420 deadTime to make minority work https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/696242 The Star 2011-12-17 2009-09-16 2009-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20090924005827/http://thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/696242 live Ignatieff's popularity as well as that of the Liberals dropped off considerably immediately afterwards.https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=2221709 Ignatieff closing in on Dion territory National Post 2009-11-14October 2025 medicmedic In 2011, Elections Canada laid charges against the Conservative Party, alleging contraventions of the Canada Elections Act five years earlier.http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=abo&dir=com/stat&document=index&lang=e Canada Elections Act Charges Laid Elections Canada 2011-04-27 2011-02-25 2019-06-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20190611213606/https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=abo&dir=com%2Fstat&document=index&lang=e liveAkin David https://lfpress.com/news/canada/2011/02/24/17401196.html PM shrugs off charges against Tories Lfpress.com 2011-02-25 2011-04-17 2011-02-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20110227152323/http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2011/02/24/17401196.html liveBruce Cheadle https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tory-election-allegations-illegal-not-administrative-prosecutor-says/article1924161/ Tory election allegations 'illegal' not administrative, prosecutor says The Globe and Mail Canada 2011-02-28 2011-04-17 2011-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20110304223220/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tory-election-allegations-illegal-not-administrative-prosecutor-says/article1924161/ live This issue, along with the Bloc Québécois announcing its intention to vote against the budget, unless it contained numerous changes including $2 billion in compensation to Quebec for harmonizing PST and GST and funding for a new NHL arena in Quebec City, increased the speculation that there would be an election called soon as the Conservatives rejected the Bloc demands as "blackmail".http://www.macleans.ca/2011/01/12/bloc-threatens-to-vote-against-budget/ Bloc threatens to vote against budget Maclean's 2011-01-12 2011-04-18 2011-01-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20110122095833/http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/01/12/bloc-threatens-to-vote-against-budget/ live On March 9, 2011, Speaker of the House of Commons Peter Milliken ruled that Bev Oda, a minister of the Crown, and, separately, the Cabinet itself could both possibly be in contempt of parliament,PM on rulings: 'win some, lose some' Laura Payton https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pm-on-rulings-win-some-lose-some-1.1033320 CBC News 2011-03-09 2011-03-26 2013-03-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20130323212231/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/03/09/pol-speaker-rulings.html live the latter for its ongoing refusal to meet opposition requests for details of proposed bills and their cost estimates.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mps-report-finds-government-in-contempt-1.1091382 MPs' report finds government in contempt 2011-03-21 CBC News 2011-03-24 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110324122405/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/03/21/pol-privilege-contempt.html 2011-03-24 Milliken directed both matters to committee and set as the deadline for its report March 21, 2011, one day before the budget was to be tabled. The committee found the government to be in contempt of Parliament.http://www2.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Committee/403/PROC/Reports/RP5047570/procrp27/procrp27-e.pdf Question of Privilege Relating to the Failure of the Government To Fully Provide the Documents as Ordered by the House: Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs 2011-04-26 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20160125170006/http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5047570&Language=&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3 2016-01-25 dead The vote divided along party lines, with the governing but minority Conservative members of Parliament (MPs) opposing the finding and issuing a dissenting report. After the committee released its findings, opposition leader and head of the Liberal Party Michael Ignatieff proposed a motion of no confidence against the Crown-in-Council,Levitz Stephanie O'Hanlon Martin 2011-03-23 Harper government set to fall Friday, setting stage for vote in early May http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/personalities/Liberals+introduce+confidence+motion/4489986/story.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20190822083926/https://globalnews.ca/ 2019-08-22 2011-04-13 The Canadian Press Global NewsGovernment of Canada http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=5072532#SOBQ-3827544 40th Parliament, 3rd Session, Friday, March 25, 2011 2011-03-25 Parlement of Canada 2011-05-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110402084008/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=5072532#SOBQ-3827544 2011-04-02 live and on March 25, 2011, the House of Commons voted on the motion, the majority agreeing, by a margin of 156 to 145, with the committee's conclusions.https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/harper-government-topples-on-contempt-motion-triggering-may-election-1.623301 https://web.archive.org/web/20110727124820/http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110325/wpg_election_110325/20110325/?hub=WinnipegHome dead 2011-07-27 Harper government topples on contempt motion, triggering May election Bruce Cheadle 2011-03-25 The Canadian Press; CTV news 2011-03-25Walkom: Yes, contempt of Parliament does matter Thomas Walkom https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/962022--walkom-yes-contempt-of-parliament-does-matter Toronto Star 2011-03-25 2011-03-25 2011-08-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20110828113544/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/962022--walkom-yes-contempt-of-parliament-does-matter liveGardner Dan Dan Gardner (author) https://ottawacitizen.com/news/decision-canada/Gardner+going+reward+contempt+Parliament/4564215/story.html Gardner: Are we going to reward contempt of Parliament? Ottawa Citizen 2011-04-08 2011-04-27 2011-05-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110507041344/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/decision-canada/Gardner+going+reward+contempt+Parliament/4564215/story.html live A cabinet being found in contempt of parliament was without precedent in Canada or any other Commonwealth country. Earlier that week, all three opposition parties had indicated that they would oppose the government's budget; the NDP said that the concessions that the Conservatives made did not go far enough. Campaign slogans The parties' campaign slogans for the 2011 election: May 2014 Bloc Québécois: "fr Parlons Québec unset" (Let's talk about Quebec) Conservative Party: "Here For Canada / fr Ici pour le Canada unset". In francophone Quebec, Harper ran under the slogan "Notre région au pouvoir" (Our Region in Power).http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2011/04/here-for-canada-except-in-quebec.html Here in Canada except in Quebec CBC News Canada 2011-04-08 2011-04-08 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110412015840/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2011/04/here-for-canada-except-in-quebec.html 2011-04-12 Fitz-Morris James Green Party: "It's Time" & "Canada needs Elizabeth May but only you can elect her" Liberal Party: "Rise Up Canada" & "Change we need, from a proven team." The first one refers to Harper's contempt charge. The second one was used after the NDP's surge in the opinion polls, making reference to the fact that it has never formed a federal government. New Democratic Party: "Working For Families / fr Travaillons ensemble unset", "You have a choice", and "That's Canadian Leadership" Timeline Timeline of the 2011 Canadian federal election March 25, 2011The Liberal Party's no-confidence motion passes the House 156–145, and the Prime Minister moves for the House to adjourn.Galloway Gloria Harper government falls in historic Commons showdown https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-government-falls-in-historic-commons-showdown/article1956416/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-25 2011-03-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20110327070310/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-government-falls-in-historic-commons-showdown/article1956416/ deadMarch 26, 2011Governor General David Johnston agrees to dissolve the 40th Parliament following a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.Chase Stephen Federal election called for May 2 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-election-called-for-may-2/article1957991/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-26 2011-08-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20110812161614/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-election-called-for-may-2/article1957991/ deadApril 12, 2011English leaders' debate.April 13, 2011French leaders' debate.April 22, 23 and 25, 2011Advance polls openhttp://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqvoting&lang=e#a1 How do I vote FAQ Elections Canada 2011-04-26 2011-04-29 2020-11-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20201112040905/https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqvoting&lang=e#a1 liveMay 2, 2011Polling DayMay 23, 2011Return of Writshttp://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2011/2011-03-28-x1/html/si-tr33-eng.html Proclamation Issuing Election Writs 2011-03-28 Canada Gazette, Part II 145 1 (Extra) 2011-03-28 2011-09-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20110914075424/http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2011/2011-03-28-x1/html/si-tr33-eng.html liveJune 2, 201141st Parliament conveneshttps://ottawacitizen.com/return+Parliament+Hill+June/4792075/story.html MPs to return to Parliament Hill on June 2 2011-05-16 Ottawa Citizen 2011-05-16 2012-10-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20121019071432/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/return+Parliament+Hill+June/4792075/story.html live Issues CategoryIssueDetailsCrime and law enforcementInternet surveillance and warrant-less wiretappingThe Conservatives promised to re-introduce Internet surveillance legislation that they were not able to pass, and bundle it with the rest of their crime bills. They said they plan to fast track the legislation within 100 days after taking office.http://www.techeye.net/security/canadian-conservatives-promise-big-brother-laws Canadian conservatives promise "big brother laws" – At least they are honest TechEye Farrell Nick 2011-04-11 2011-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110417030205/http://www.techeye.net/security/canadian-conservatives-promise-big-brother-laws 2011-04-17 deadhttp://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/5733/125/ Michael Geist – The Conservatives Commitment to Internet Surveillance Michaelgeist.ca Geist Michael 2011-04-09 2011-04-17 2011-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110417030209/http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/5733/125/ deadhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/science/electronic-snooping-bill-a-data-grab-privacy-advocates-1.827556 CBC News Electronic snooping bill a 'data grab': privacy advocates 2009-06-19 2011-04-11 Chung Emily 2010-12-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20101202071600/http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/06/19/tech-internet-communications-electronic-police-bills-surveillance-follo-privacy.html livehttp://www.digitaljournal.com/article/274527 New Canadian legislation will give police greater powers Dearing Stephanie Digitaljournal.com 2009-06-21 2011-04-17 2011-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110417030215/http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/274527 deadhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/science/isps-must-help-police-snoop-on-internet-under-new-bill-1.817756 CBC News ISPs must help police snoop on internet under new bill 2009-06-18 2011-04-11 2011-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110417030219/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2009/06/18/tech-internet-police-bill-intercept-electronic-communications.html liveMatt Hartley Omar El Akkad https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tories-seek-to-widen-police-access-online/article1187507/ Tories seek to widen police access online The Globe and Mail 2009-06-18 2011-04-17 2011-02-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20110213034107/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tories-seek-to-widen-police-access-online/article1187507/ deadMetz Cade Canadian bill forces personal data from ISPs sans warrant https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/18/canada_isp_intercept_bills/ The Register 2009-06-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20170810130754/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/18/canada_isp_intercept_bills/ 2017-08-10Brown Jesse http://www.macleans.ca/2011/04/13/harpers-promise-a-warrantless-online-surveillance-state/ Harper's promise: a warrantless online surveillance state- Why 'lawful access' legislation is on its way and why that should worry you Maclean's 2011-04-13 2011-04-17 2011-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110417030237/http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/04/13/harpers-promise-a-warrantless-online-surveillance-state/ liveSeptember 2023Long gun registryHarper pledged to scrap the long-gun registry.Joe Friesen and John Ibbitson Harper courts rural ridings with vow to kill gun registry https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-courts-rural-ridings-with-vow-to-kill-gun-registry/article1970912/?from=sec368 2011-04-04 The Globe and Mail 2011-04-04 2011-04-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20110408070000/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-courts-rural-ridings-with-vow-to-kill-gun-registry/article1970912/?from=sec368 deadCrime strategiesThe Conservative platform included a promise to consolidate twelve crime bills into at least one omnibus bill and pass it within 100 days of forming a majority government. The bills included within that list would crack down on organized drug crime, end house arrest for violent criminals and establish tougher sentences and mandatory jail time for sexual offences against children.https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/conservative-platform-harper-pledges-to-slash-4-billion-in-spending Conservative platform: Harper pledges to slash $4-billion in spending National Post 2011-04-08 2011-04-26 2021-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807185725/https://nationalpost.com/category/news/ live The opposition parties claimed the crime bills were not costed fully, and the opposition parties countered that this would create a US style system of prisons.http://www.globalnews.ca/decisioncanada/debate/index.html INTERACTIVE: Federal Election Leaders' Debate 2011 Global News 2011-04-13 2011-05-01 2011-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110417050907/http://www.globalnews.ca/decisioncanada/debate/index.html live The Conservatives have not released the costs for expanding the prison system. The other parties state that more focus should be given on crime prevention, so that it doesn't happen in the first place. The New Democratic Party (NDP) stated that their promise to hire 2,500 more police officers to patrol the streets, will help in preventing crime from occurring in the first place.https://vancouversun.com/news/unveils+plan+stamp+gang+violence+during+Surrey+stop/4580143/story.html NDP unveils plan to stamp out gang violence during Surrey stop Vancouver Sun 2011-04-08 2011-04-18August 2021 InternetArchiveBot yesGloria Galloway https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-pledge-aims-to-stamp-out-gang-related-crime-at-its-source/article1974770/ NDP pledge aims to stamp out gang-related crime at its source The Globe and Mail 2011-04-07 2011-04-18 2011-04-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20110414112439/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-pledge-aims-to-stamp-out-gang-related-crime-at-its-source/article1974770/ deadhttp://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1398353 Layton vows crime crackdown Cknw.com 2011-04-07 2011-04-18 2011-09-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110926233144/http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1398353 deadKirkup Kristy http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/07/17905161.html NDP unveils crime policy | Decision 2011 | News Toronto Sun 2011-04-07 2011-04-18 2012-10-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20121002172806/http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/07/17905161.html liveDefence policyThe Conservatives plan to purchase 65 F-35 Lightning II jet fighters. Stating that "Our defence policy is broken", the NDP announced that they would prioritize investment in naval ships over new fighter jets. The NDP stated that this would be a good opportunity to keep shipbuilding expertise and jobs in Canada.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-prioritizes-ships-over-jets-1.1074350 CBC News NDP prioritizes ships over jets 2011-04-08 2011-04-10 2011-04-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20110409171415/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/04/08/cv-election-ndp-esquimalt.html liveKirkup Kristy http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/08/17922626.html New ships not jets, say NDP | Decision 2011 | News Toronto Sun 2011-04-08 2011-04-18 2011-04-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20110409161430/http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/08/17922626.html liveGloria Galloway https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/layton-pans-tory-defence-plan-unveils-made-in-canada-alternative/article1976679/?from=sec368 Layton pans Tory defence plan, unveils made-in-Canada alternative The Globe and Mail 2011-04-08 2011-04-18 2012-10-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025011110/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/layton-pans-tory-defence-plan-unveils-made-in-canada-alternative/article1976679/?from=sec368 deadMurray Brewster Murray Brewster http://www.globalregina.com/says+replacing+navy+aging+supply+ships+would+defence+priority/4586012/story.html NDP says replacing navy's aging supply ships would be its defence priority Global News 2011-04-08 2011-04-18 2012-03-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20120314220700/http://www.globalregina.com/says+replacing+navy+aging+supply+ships+would+defence+priority/4586012/story.html liveEconomy and fiscal policyBalanced budget and recessionConservatives argued that they steered the economy through the 2008 financial crisis, and promised to eliminate the budget deficit by 2014–15.https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/politics/Tories+kill+deficit+early/4582506/story.html Tories vow to kill deficit early National Post 2011-04-08 2011-04-18October 2025 medicmedichttps://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tories-vow-to-eliminate-deficit-early-1.1000691 CBC News Tories vow to eliminate deficit early 2011-04-08 2011-04-14 2011-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20110411105923/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/04/08/cv-election-day14.html live Former Prime Minister Paul Martin, campaigning for the Liberals, challenged assertions, noting that his Liberal government left a $13 billion budget surplus, before the Conservatives took power.http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3035065 If this election's about the economy, let's hope the parties aren't stupid The Sault Star Mills Tom 2011-04-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20110720204142/http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3035065 2011-07-20 deadhttp://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/16/18015056.html Paul Martin rips Tory fiscal record Dormer Dave QMI Toronto Sun 2011-04-16 2011-04-16 2012-10-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20121002173546/http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/16/18015056.html dead In 2010, Paul Martin had been invited to the prestigious Global ARC conference to discuss that elimination of the Canadian government deficit.http://www.investmentreview.com/news/europe-can-learn-from-canada-john-major-paul-martin-4345 Europe Can Learn From Canada: John Major, Paul Martin Investmentreview.com 2010-05-19 2011-05-05 2011-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110107125614/http://www.investmentreview.com/news/europe-can-learn-from-canada-john-major-paul-martin-4345 dead Martin also claimed that when he was Finance minister working under Jean Chretien, his blocking of proposed bank mergers is what actually sheltered Canada from the worst effects of the recession.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-finance-mergers-idINTRE5623FR20090703 World crisis puts Canadian bank mergers out of mind Pav Jordan Reuters 2011-04-15 2009-07-03 2016-01-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20160125170006/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-finance-mergers-idINTRE5623FR20090703 livehttps://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110410/ap_on_re_ca/cn_harper_s_canada_remake Prime minister nudging Canada to the right – Associated Press Rob Gilles news.yahoo.com 2011-04-10 Prime minister nudging Canada to the right 2011-04-15 2011-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20110413175543/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110410/ap_on_re_ca/cn_harper_s_canada_remake live The New Democratic Party (NDP) released its platform promising a balanced budget in four years.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-to-unveil-balanced-budget-platform-1.1011904 NDP to unveil balanced budget platform CBC 2011-04-09 2011-04-18 2011-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20110413055504/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/09/cv-ndp-platform.html live After the NDP surge, the Liberals called the NDP platform "science fiction"https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-platform-science-fiction-ignatieff-says-1.1041613 NDP platform 'science fiction,' Ignatieff says CBC 2011-04-23 2011-04-29 2011-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110426021919/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/04/23/cv-election-saturday-campaign.html live stating it contains over $30 billion in new spending derived from sources that are not credible, and that implementing a cap and trade system that would take years to realize rather than provide the in-year contributions as claimed.Corporate tax cuts and job creation strategyThe Conservatives stated that their plan to cut corporate taxes from 16.5% to 15%, will create more jobs.Taber Jane Ignatieff heads to Vancouver pharmacy to unveil another platform plank https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ignatieff-heads-to-vancouver-pharmacy-to-unveil-another-platform-plank/article1962922/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-30 2011-04-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110401131253/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ignatieff-heads-to-vancouver-pharmacy-to-unveil-another-platform-plank/article1962922/ dead Harper stated that an increase in corporate taxes will create job losses across Canada. Layton countered by saying currently the jobs are shipped overseas, and pledged a $4,500 job creation tax credit to all businesses per new hire.Kirkup Kristy http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/03/30/17804416.html Layton announces job creation measures Toronto Sun 2011-03-30 2011-04-18 2011-04-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110407184305/http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/03/30/17804416.html live Layton further went to say that small business are the ones creating more jobs, thus he promised to lower the tax rate for small business from 11% to 9%. He then went on to say the big business are using the corporate tax cuts by providing their CEOs with big bonuses, and thus pledged to increase their tax rate to 19.5%.http://money.canoe.com/money/business/canada/archives/2011/03/20110330-143448.html NDP's small biz measures a double-edged sword canoe.com 2011-03-30 Singleton Sharon 2011-04-18April 2026 medicmedic The Liberals on the other hand, will raise the rate to 18%, stating that it will be competitive but not excessively low.Increasing Canada Pension PlanThe NDP promised a gradual doubling of Canada Pension Plan and QPP benefits, in conjunction with the provinces, with an increase in payroll deductions of as much as 2.5 per cent.https://www.ctvnews.ca/key-election-campaign-promises-so-far-from-the-federal-parties-1.626544 Key election campaign promises so far from the federal parties CTV News 2011-04-14 2011-04-29 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120329144355/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20110402/key-campaign-election-promises-040102/20110414?s_name=election2011 2012-03-29HST referendum in BCIf BC voters were to reject the Harmonized Sales Tax in the upcoming referendum, the NDP promised to ensure that the penalties to be imposed by Ottawa on the HST agreement will be cancelled.Fowlie Jonathan https://vancouversun.com/news/should+keep+money+even+scrapped+Layton/4573179/story.html B.C. should keep money even if HST is scrapped: Layton Vancouver Sun 2011-04-07 2011-04-18 2011-07-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20110709213813/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/should+keep+money+even+scrapped+Layton/4573179/story.html deadhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harper-has-ignored-health-care-problems-layton-1.1110891 CBC News Harper has ignored health-care problems: Layton 2011-04-06 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110409181753/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/04/06/cv-election-layton-seniors.html 2011-04-09Austin Ian https://theprovince.com/Layton+courting+haters/4573708/story.html Layton courting B.C. HST haters Theprovince.com 2011-04-07 2011-04-18May 2023 InternetArchiveBot yesKirkup Kristy http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/06/17894741.html Layton feeds off HST anger in B.C. | Decision 2011 | News Toronto Sun 2011-04-06 2011-04-18 2011-04-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20110409183355/http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/06/17894741.html livePersonal taxationConservatives promised income splitting for tax purposes for families with children to be implemented once the budget is balanced in 2013.Carrick Rob A wish list for all investors in this year's election https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/rob-carrick/a-wish-list-for-all-investors-in-this-years-election/article1960511/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-29 2011-04-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20110402042505/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/rob-carrick/a-wish-list-for-all-investors-in-this-years-election/article1960511/ deadElectoral reform and political honestyPolitical honestyThe New Democratic Party stated that both the Conservatives and the Liberals cannot be trusted. The NDP accused the Conservatives of creating "Liberal-style scandals"Chase Steven Galloway Gloria Taber Jane Federal election called for May 2 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-election-called-for-may-2/article576430/ 2021-08-07 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-26 2021-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807193912/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-election-called-for-may-2/article576430/ live and accused the Liberals of flip-flopping on issues such as corporate tax cuts, and the Afghanistan mission.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/layton-warns-of-tory-liberal-service-cuts-1.978418 CBC News Layton warns of Tory, Liberal service cuts 2011-04-09 2011-04-26 2011-04-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20110412004227/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/09/cv-election-layton.html livehttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/968602--layton-calls-ignatieff-part-of-the-problem?bn=1 Toronto The Star Richard J. Brennan Layton calls Ignatieff 'part of the problem' 2011-04-04 2017-08-25 2012-10-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024031412/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/968602--layton-calls-ignatieff-part-of-the-problem?bn=1 liveBelanger Joe https://lfpress.com/news/london/2011/04/04/17871561.html Layton slams Harper over loan dithering | London | News | London Free Press The London Free Press 2011-04-05 2011-04-17 2011-04-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20110410011436/http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/04/04/17871561.html live Throughout the election various polls had shown the political honesty issue to be low on the list of priorities for voters. Post-media conducted a survey that found health care, the economy, taxes and jobs all more important to Canadians. Further, half of voters identified Harper as the best suited to be Prime Minister followed by Layton with one third support and Ignatieff with less than twenty percent support. On the question of a hidden agenda, Ignatieff is viewed by three times more of those polled to have a hidden agenda than Harper.https://vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/Voters+connecting+dots/4668930/story.html Voters not connecting the dots Vancouver Sun Boswell Randy 2011-04-25 2011-05-05 2011-04-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20110430104622/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/Voters+connecting+dots/4668930/story.html deadPolitical financingConservatives pledged to phase-out per-vote subsidy over two years, with its eventual cancellation.SenateStephen Harper promised Senate reform without changing the constitution.https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/harper-lends-support-to-ontario-candidates-facing-ndp-incumbents Harper pledges Senate reform, but without constitutional wrangling National Post 2010-12-22 2011-04-26 2021-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807185727/https://nationalpost.com/category/news/ live The NDP pledged to abolish the Senate, stating it is a waste of tax revenues and a form of patronage.Promised government programsNewfoundland hydroelectric project and Quebec's HSTConservatives, New Democrats and Liberals promised $4.2 billion in loan guarantees to support the Lower Churchill River power project.Shawn McCarthy and Steven Chase Harper to back Lower Churchill mega-project in bid for Newfoundland seats https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-to-back-lower-churchill-mega-project-in-bid-for-newfoundland-seats/article1963954/ 2011-04-02 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-30 2011-04-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20110404054819/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-to-back-lower-churchill-mega-project-in-bid-for-newfoundland-seats/article1963954/ dead Due to outcry from Quebec over the pledge to provide loan guarantees for the Lower Churchill project, the Conservatives promise Quebec a $2.2 billion transfer to ease the Quebec Sales Tax to Harmonized Sales Tax transition.Chase Steven Harper pledges to settle multibillion-dollar HST feud with Quebec https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-pledges-to-settle-multibillion-dollar-hst-feud-with-quebec/article1967422/ 2011-04-01 The Globe and Mail 2011-04-01 2011-04-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110407122547/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-pledges-to-settle-multibillion-dollar-hst-feud-with-quebec/article1967422/ deadPost-secondary educationLiberals promised a "Learning Passport" for high school students seeking post-secondary education.http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/michael-ignatieff-announces-canadian-learning-passport/ Michael Ignatieff announces Canadian Learning Passport Liberal.ca 2011-03-29 2011-04-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20110503222627/http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/michael-ignatieff-announces-canadian-learning-passport/ 2011-05-03 dead The NDP's plan is to reduce the tuition fees, by increasing transfer payments to the Provinces.Immigration Fairness CommissionerLiberals proposed the establishment of an "Immigration Fairness Commissioner" to provide oversight on the entry of immigrants with professional qualifications (doctors, engineers, etc.), and to increase the number of family reunification visas.Taber Jane Ignatieff calls for immigration 'fairness commissioner' https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ignatieff-calls-for-immigration-fairness-commissioner/article1962566/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-29 2011-04-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110401100936/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ignatieff-calls-for-immigration-fairness-commissioner/article1962566/ deadHealth careThe NDP pledged to train 1,200 more doctors and 6,000 more nurses.Galloway Gloria NDP goes big with health-care ads, accusing Harper of neglect https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-goes-big-with-health-care-ads-accusing-harper-of-neglect/article1961859/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-29 2011-04-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20110402071316/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-goes-big-with-health-care-ads-accusing-harper-of-neglect/article1961859/ deadKirkup Kristy http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/06/17901376.html Future of health care hinges on election: Layton | Decision 2011 | News Toronto Sun 2011-04-06 2011-04-18 2011-04-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20110410135916/http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/06/17901376.html livehttps://www.ctvnews.ca/layton-warns-canadians-about-harper-s-health-care-1.627964 Layton warns Canadians about Harper's health care CTV News The Canadian Press 2011-04-06 2011-04-18 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120329145902/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SpecialEvent7/20110406/layton-health-care-110406/ 2012-03-29Gloria Galloway https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-will-let-health-care-fail-layton-warns-as-he-rolls-out-plan-in-bc/article1973270/ Tories will let health care fail, Layton warns as he rolls out plan in B.C. The Globe and Mail 2011-04-06 2011-04-18 2011-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20110411211312/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-will-let-health-care-fail-layton-warns-as-he-rolls-out-plan-in-bc/article1973270/ deadhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/970078--canada-s-health-care-system-in-jeopardy-under-conservatives-layton?bn=1 Toronto The Star Richard J. Brennan They may be New Democrats but old policies hurt profile 2011-04-06 2017-08-25 2012-10-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024031438/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/970078--canada-s-health-care-system-in-jeopardy-under-conservatives-layton?bn=1 live All parties promised to continue to increase healthcare transfers to provinces by 6% annually.Government regulationsImproved internet and usage based billingThe New Democratic Party (NDP) promised a ban on all forms of usage based billing by ISPs, and enshrine net neutrality in law, which would prevent bandwidth throttling. The Liberals promised net neutrality as well as "functional separation" with regards to usage based billing as well as enshrining net neutrality in law, which would prevent bandwidth throttling.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-target-faster-rural-internet-service-1.1085926 Liberals target faster rural internet service CBC News CBC 2011-04-06 2011-04-06 2011-12-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20111213194305/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/06/cv-election-lib-rural.html livehttps://www.cbc.ca/news/extra-billing-for-internet-use-a-ripoff-ndp-1.1035293 Extra billing for internet use a 'ripoff': NDP CBC News CBC 2011-01-20 2011-04-06 2012-11-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20121109063916/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2011/01/20/consumer-internet-ndp.html live Almost all of the established parties, with the exception of the Conservatives, outlined policies that they claim will improve Canadian Internet access.https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/platforms-pro-internet-except-conservative-report-1.1126296 Platforms pro-internet, except Conservative: report CBC News 2011-04-28 2011-04-29 2011-04-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20110430074155/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/28/technology-internet-election-digital-platforms.html liveCap on credit card interest ratesThe NDP promised to cap credit card rates at five percentage points above the Bank of Canada's prime interest rate.Galloway Gloria Layton vows to cap credit-card rates https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/layton-vows-to-cap-credit-card-rates/article1961191/ 2011-03-29 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-29 2011-04-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20110402041206/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/layton-vows-to-cap-credit-card-rates/article1961191/ dead Election campaign Controversies and gaffes Controversies in the Canadian federal election, 2011 A number of controversies took place during the election campaign. Leaders' debates Canadian leaders' debates#2011 debates The English- and French-language debates took place on April 12 and 13 respectively.Daniel Leblanc Simon Houpt Steve Ladurantaye Broadcasters rule out one-on-one debate between Harper and Ignatieff, confirm May's exclusion https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/broadcasters-rule-out-one-on-one-debate-between-harper-and-ignatieff-confirm-mays-exclusion/article1964414/ 2011-03-31 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-30 2011-04-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20110403012704/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/broadcasters-rule-out-one-on-one-debate-between-harper-and-ignatieff-confirm-mays-exclusion/article1964414/ deadhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/leaders-french-debate-bumped-by-nhl-playoffs-1.1061040 How Canadian: NHL trumps debate CBC News Fitz-Morris James 2011-04-10 2011-04-13 2011-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20110413053623/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/10/cv-election-debats-duceppe.html live On March 29, the consortium of broadcasters playing host to the debates (the CBC, CTV, Global, Radio-Canada and TVA) announced that it would only invite the leaders of the four recognized parties in the House of Commons, namely, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic (NDP). Therefore, the Green Party was excluded, despite earning 6.8 per cent of the popular vote in the 2008 federal election.Burgmann Tamsyn Green's Elizabeth May will fight broadcasters' decision to ditch her from debate Winnipeg Free Press The Canadian Press 2011-03-29 http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/breakingnews/greens-elizabeth-may-will-fight-broadcasters-decision-to-ditch-her-from-debate-118927234.html https://web.archive.org/web/20230423092719/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/breakingnews/greens-elizabeth-may-will-fight-broadcasters-decision-to-ditch-her-from-debate-118927234.html dead 2023-04-23 2011-03-30Debate over May diverts campaign Harper pushes lower corporate taxes, Layton would raise them, Ignatieff would add to CPP CBC News 2011-03-30 https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/debate-over-may-diverts-campaign-1.1105297 2011-03-30 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110402050359/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/03/30/cv-election.html 2011-04-02Pynn Larry Minsky Amy Greens' Elizabeth May, determined to enter debate, prepares legal action Vancouver Sun and Postmedia News 2011-03-30 https://vancouversun.com/news/Greens+Elizabeth+determined+enter+debate+prepares+legal+action/4529114/story.html 2011-03-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20110401124131/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Greens+Elizabeth+determined+enter+debate+prepares+legal+action/4529114/story.html 2011-04-01 deadLeblanc Daniel Elizabeth May excluded from election debates https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/elizabeth-may-excluded-from-election-debates/article1962085/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-30 2011-04-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110401100846/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/elizabeth-may-excluded-from-election-debates/article1962085/ dead On March 30, Stephen Harper challenged Michael Ignatieff to a one-on-one televised debate.Steven Chase Gloria Galloway Jane Taber Harper and Ignatieff game for head-to-head debate https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-and-ignatieff-game-for-head-to-head-debate/article1963435/ 2011-03-30 The Globe and Mail 2011-03-30 2011-04-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110401100931/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-and-ignatieff-game-for-head-to-head-debate/article1963435/ dead Although Ignatieff accepted the challenge, this was opposed by the other opposition parties. The idea was later rejected by the broadcast consortium and cancelled. On April 1, comedian Rick Mercer suggested over Twitter hosting a one-on-one debate between Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff at Toronto's Massey Hall. He later added he would donate $50,000 to the charities of their choosing if they were willing to participate. Ignatieff immediately accepted the challenge and named the Alzheimer Society as his charity of choice, as his mother succumbed to Alzheimer's disease in 1992. Harper did not respond to the challenge.Ignatieff accepts Rick Mercer debate offer https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ignatieff-accepts-rick-mercer-debate-offer-1.1084566 2011-04-04 2011-04-02 CBC CBC News 2011-04-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20110405140442/http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2011/04/02/mercer-ignatieff-harper-cv-election.html live In an interview with The Globe and Mail published on April 1, Troy Reeb, the broadcast consortium chairman, discussed the process behind setting up the leaders' debates and the rationale for various decisions made, including the decision to exclude the Green Party's leader Elizabeth May.Ladurantaye Steve Why the TV consortium excluded Elizabeth May https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/why-the-tv-consortium-excluded-elizabeth-may/article1966583/ 2011-04-05 The Globe and Mail 2011-04-01 2011-04-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20110405002145/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/why-the-tv-consortium-excluded-elizabeth-may/article1966583/ dead On April 5, the Federal Court rejected the Green Party's request for an expedited hearing on the matter prior to the scheduled debates.Judge denies Elizabeth May's bid to join leaders' debates https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/judge-denies-elizabeth-mays-bid-to-join-leaders-debates/article1971474/ 2011-04-05 The Globe and Mail 2011-04-05 The Canadian Press 2011-04-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20110408063724/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/judge-denies-elizabeth-mays-bid-to-join-leaders-debates/article1971474/ dead On April 10, the date of the French leaders debate was changed from April 14 to 13 due to worries of broadcasting conflicts with the NHL playoffs scheduled for April 14. Also on April 10, Elizabeth May participated in a panel interview on CHCH-TV in Hamilton, which she was invited to attend, as were the leaders of the Bloc, Liberals, New Democrats and Conservatives, by Channel Zero, whose president was disappointed by May's exclusion from the leaders' debates.CHCH-TV to Broadcast "Elizabeth May, For the Record" Live this Sunday, April 10, 2011 – 8pm ET http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2011/08/c2709.html 2011-04-10 CNW Group 2011-04-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20121009050509/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/733245/chch-tv-to-broadcast-elizabeth-may-for-the-record-live-this-sunday-april-10-2011-8pm-et 2012-10-09 dead Small parties public forum A joint press conference and public forum was staged by 11 of the 18 registered parties and one unregistered party on April 23, 2011, at York University. Forum organizers invited the leaders from all registered political parties who do not have seats in parliament.Anna Di Carlo http://www.cpcml.ca/Tmld2011/D41062.htm The Marxist-Leninist Daily Cpcml.ca 2011-04-18 2011-05-14 2011-05-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20110503161615/http://cpcml.ca/Tmld2011/D41062.htm live Parties were able to explain their platforms and responded to questions from the audience. As a forum, the goal was an inter-party discussion of major issues, however some debate did occur. Participants in the forum were the Animal Alliance Environmental Voters, the Canadian Action Party, the Christian Heritage Party, the Communist Party, the First Peoples National, the Libertarian Party, the Marijuana Party, the Marxist–Leninist Party, the Rhinoceros Party, and the Pirate Party. Green Party leader Elizabeth May refused to participate in the forum claiming they are not one of "the small, fringe parties".Green Party snubs fringe debate National Post Canada Adrian Humphreys https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/green-party-snubs-fringe-debate 2011-04-05 2011-04-09 2021-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807185729/https://nationalpost.com/category/news/ live Opinion polls Opinion polling for the 2011 Canadian federal election Opinion polling for the 2011 Canadian federal election by constituency 2008 2011 2015 2019 2021 yes yes yes yes border|500px New Democratic Party surge In the week before the leaders debate, on April 8, a poll showed the New Democratic Party (NDP) support at 13.2%.Richard J. Brennan https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/972241--ndp-fortunes-falling-fast-in-latest-poll NDP fortunes falling fast in latest poll Toronto Star 2011-04-09 2011-04-25 2012-10-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024031459/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/972241--ndp-fortunes-falling-fast-in-latest-poll liveGloria Galloway https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/though-chips-look-down-laytons-eager-to-ante-up-for-debates/article1978060 Layton remains game despite polls showing he's the odd man out The Globe and Mail 2011-04-08 2011-04-25 A reversal of fortune began on April 16, when an Angus Reid poll indicated a tie in support for the NDP and the Liberals, both polling at 25%.Joanna Smith https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/976225 NDP moves into tie with Liberals: Poll Toronto Star 2011-04-13 2011-04-18 Toronto 2011-05-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20110501223620/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/976225 livehttps://www.reuters.com/article/canada-politics-idUSN1822211320110418 Canada's NDP pushes for bigger place in election sun Reuters 2011-02-14 2011-04-18 Randall Palmer 2016-01-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160104200923/http://www.reuters.com/article/canada-politics-idUSN1822211320110418 livehttps://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/layton-sees-growing-quebec-support-targets-liberals-1.1076764 Layton sees growing Quebec support, targets Liberals CBC News 2011-04-18 2011-04-18 2013-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20130417162852/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/18/cv-election-layton-quebec-812.html live The New Democrats' poll numbers then moved significantly ahead of the Liberals and slightly or moderately behind the Conservatives.https://www.ctvnews.ca/poll-shows-ndp-liberals-in-statistical-tie-1.634836 Poll shows NDP, Liberals in statistical tie CTV News 2011-04-22 2011-04-22 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110426112552/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20110422/federal-election-campaign-poll-day-28-110422/20110422?s_name=election2011 2011-04-26https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/surging-ndp-support-changes-campaign-dynamic-1.1101061 Surging NDP support changes campaign dynamic CBC News 2011-04-21 2011-04-22 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110424072809/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/21/cv-election-ndp-quebec-803.html 2011-04-24http://www.harrisdecima.ca/news/releases/201104/1160-conservatives-lead-five-ndp-surges-past-liberals Conservatives Lead By Five; NDP Surges Past Liberals Harris/Decima 2011-04-28 2011-04-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20110430224105/http://www.harrisdecima.ca/news/releases/201104/1160-conservatives-lead-five-ndp-surges-past-liberals 2011-04-30 dead The surge began in Quebec, with the NDP surprising many observers by surpassing the previously front-running Bloc in Quebec. In the entirety of Canada, the NDP surged past the Liberals to take the second place behind the Conservatives; in Quebec, the NDP took first place.https://www.reuters.com/article/canada-us-politics-ekos-idCATRE73O5UR20110425 NDP surges to strong second place in poll Reuters 2011-04-25 2011-04-25 Janet Guttsman 2016-01-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160104200922/http://www.reuters.com/article/canada-us-politics-ekos-idCATRE73O5UR20110425 live http://www.ekospolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/full_report_april_21_2011.pdf NDP Breakout Continues As Everyone Else Spins Wheels 2011-04-23 EKOS April 2011 2020-12-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20201204103935/https://www.ekospolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/full_report_april_21_2011.pdf dead The NDP surge became the dominant narrative of the last week of the campaign, as other parties turned their attacks on the party.https://vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/surge+dominates+talk+federal+campaign+trail/4685960/story.html NDP surge dominates talk on federal campaign trail Cohen Tobi Raj Althia Kennedy Mark Vancouver Sun 2011-04-27 2011-04-27 2011-05-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20110502043910/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/surge+dominates+talk+federal+campaign+trail/4685960/story.html dead Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the NDP candidate in Berthier—Maskinongé, won despite not running a campaign, barely speaking French at this timehttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/04/28/in_frenchspeaking_riding_ndp_candidate_speaks_little_french.html In French-speaking riding, NDP candidate speaks little French Chung Andrew Toronto Star 2011-04-28 2015-04-25 2016-01-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20160125170004/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/04/28/in_frenchspeaking_riding_ndp_candidate_speaks_little_french.html live and being on holiday in Las Vegas at the time of the election. The NDP's rise in popularity was nicknamed Orange Crush, an allusion to the soft drink with the same name and the party's colour.http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2011/08/remembering-jack-layton.html Remembering Jack Layton CBC News Laura Payton The NDP's surging popularity, especially in Quebec, during the last election came to be known as the Orange Crush. 2011-08-22 2013-08-12 2013-06-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20130619151636/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2011/08/remembering-jack-layton.html live It was also nicknamed the Orange Wave.The decline and fall of the NDP in Quebec en-US CBC News Montpetit Jonathan 2019-08-26 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ndp-new-democrat-jagmeet-singh-quebec-1.5336302 2021-01-11 2021-07-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20210706210651/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ndp-new-democrat-jagmeet-singh-quebec-1.5336302 live Election spending Pre-campaign, there are no limits to what a political party, candidate, or third party can spend — spending rules are only in force once the writ is dropped and the campaign has officially begun. + Spending limits for the 2011 federal election Spending Limit Notes Political Parties $21,025,793.23 If full slate of 308 candidates. Party Candidates (Average electoral district) $28,244,498.50 ($91,702.92) If full slate of 308 candidates. Each electoral district is subject to specific spending limits according to population and density.http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&document=index&dir=limits%2Flimitcan&lang=e Final Election Expenses Limits for Candidates 43rd General Election – October 21, 2019 – Elections Canada 2021-08-07 2021-01-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20210125212631/https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&document=index&dir=limits%2Flimitcan&lang=e live The limits for candidates varied from $69,635 in the electoral district of Malpeque, Prince Edward Island, to $134,352 in Oak Ridges–Markham, Ontario.http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=ces&document=part6&lang=e Elections Canada Online The Electoral System of Canada 2015-08-02 2015-08-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20150820005709/http://elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=ces&document=part6&lang=e live Third Parties (corporations, unions, special interest groups, etc.) $150,000 Election advertising expenses limit. Of that amount, no more than $3,000 can be incurred to promote or oppose the election of one or more candidates in a particular electoral district.http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&document=index&dir=thi%2Flimits&lang=e Elections Canada Online Third Party Election Advertising Expenses Limits 2021-08-07 2015-07-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20150718060744/http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&document=index&dir=thi%2Flimits&lang=e live + Election spending during the 2011 federal electionhttp://www.punditsguide.ca/parties.php?elec=26 Browse Parties -- 2011 General Election ›› Pundits' Guide 2015-08-02 2015-08-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20150825203414/http://www.punditsguide.ca/parties.php?elec=26 live Party Total Spending (% of limit) Party Election Spending (% of limit) Total Candidate Spending (% of limit) # Candidates Spending > 75% of Candidate Limit # Candidates Spending > 50% of Candidate Limit Conservative $39,175,131 (80%) $19,519,995 (93%) $19,655,136 (70%) 173 228 NDP $27,490,193 (56%) $20,372,231 (97%) $7,117,962 (25%) 44 70 Liberal $34,025,109 (69%) $19,507,746 (93%) $14,517,363 (41%) 91 169 Endorsements Newspaper endorsements in the Canadian federal election, 2011 Most major newspapers endorsed the Conservatives, and none solely endorsed the Liberals or Greens. Canada's highest circulated newspaper, the Toronto Star, endorsed the NDP but also advised readers to vote against the Conservatives. Candidates by party Articles on parties' candidates for the 41st election: Animal Alliance Environmental Voters Bloc Québécois Christian Heritage Communist Conservative Green Independent and no affiliation Liberal Libertarian Marxist–Leninist New Democrats Results Results of the 2011 Canadian federal election Results of the 2011 Canadian federal election by riding thumb|Popular vote by province, with graphs indicating the number of seats won within that province or territory. (Because seats are awarded by the popular vote in each riding, the provincial popular vote does not necessarily translate to more seats.). right|thumb|250px|The disproportionality of parliament in the 2011 election was 12.45 according to the Gallagher Index, mainly between the Conservatives and NDP on the one hand, and the Liberal, BQ and Green parties on the other. Summary of the May 2, 2011 House of Commons of Canada election results center|300px |- style="text-align:center;background-color:#e9e9e9" ! rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" | Party ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;" | Party leader ! rowspan="2" style="font-size:80%;" | Candidates ! colspan="5" | Seats ! colspan="4" | Popular vote |- style="text-align:center;background-color:#e9e9e9" | 2008 | style="font-size:80%" | Dissol. | 2011 | style="font-size:80%" | % Change | % seats | # | style="font-size:80%" | # Change | % | style="font-size:80%" | pp Change |- CA Conservative row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Stephen Harper | 307 || 143 || 143 || 166 || +16.08% || 53.90% || 5,835,270 || +626,201 || 39.63% || +1.98pp CA NDP row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Jack Layton | 308 || 37 || 36 || 103 || +178.38% || 33.44% || 4,512,411 || +1,997,123 || 30.65% || +12.47pp CA Liberal row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Michael Ignatieff | 3081 || 77 || 77 || 34 || −42.86% || 11.04% || 2,783,076 || −850,109 || 18.90% || −7.36pp CA BQ row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Gilles Duceppe | 75 || 49 || 47 || 4 || −91.84% || 1.30% || 891,425 || −488,566 || 6.05% || −3.92pp CA Green row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Elizabeth May | 304 || — || — || 1 || n/a Not applicable || 0.32% || 572,095 || −365,518 || 3.89% || −2.89pp CA Independent row | colspan=2 style="text-align:left;" |Independent and No Affiliation | 61 || 2 || 2 || — || −100% || — || 72,861 || −21,983 || 0.49% || −0.19pp CA Christian Heritage row-name | style="text-align:left;" | James Hnatiuk | 46 || — || — || — || — || — || 18,910 || −7,565 || 0.13% || −0.06pp CA Marxist-Leninist row-name | style="text-align:left;" |Anna Di Carlo | 70 || — || — || — || — || — || 9,925 || +1,360 || 0.07% || +0.01pp CA Libertarian row-name | style="text-align:left;" |Dennis Young | 23 || — || — || — || — || — || 6,002 || −1,298 || 0.04% || −0.01pp CA Progressive Canadian row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Sinclair Stevens | 9 || — || — || — || — || — || 5,790 || −70 || 0.04% || — CA Rhinoceros row-name2 | style="text-align:left;" | François Gourd | 14 || — || — || — || — || — || 3,800 || +1,678 || 0.03% || +0.01pp CA Pirate row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Mikkel Paulson | 10 || * || — || — || * || — || 3,197 || * || 0.02% || * CA Communist row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Miguel Figueroa | 20 || — || — || — || — || — || 2,894 || −678 || 0.02% || −0.01pp CA Canadian Action row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Christopher Porter | 12 || — || — || — || — || — || 1,951 || −1,504 || 0.01% || −0.01pp CA Marijuana row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Blair Longley | 5 || — || — || — || — || — || 1,756 || −542 || 0.01% || — CA AAEVPC row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Liz White | 7 || — || — || — || — || — || 1,344 || +817 || 0.01% || +0.01pp CA Western Block row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Doug Christie | 4 || — || — || — || — || — || 751 || +326 || 0.01% || — CA United row-name | style="text-align:left;" |Brian Jedan | 3 || * || — || — || * || — || 293 || * || 0.00% || * CA FPNP row-name | style="text-align:left;" | Will Morin | 1 || — || — || — || — || — || 229 || −1,382 || 0.00% || −0.01pp CA Vacant row | colspan=4 style="text-align:left;" | Vacant | 3 | style="text-align:center;" colspan="7" |   |- style="background-color:#e9e9e9;" ! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Total ! 1,587 ! 308 ! 308 ! 308 ! ±0.0% ! 100.0% ! 14,723,980 ! +886,286 ! 100% !   |- | style="text-align:left;" colspan="13" | Source: Elections Canada 1. André Forbes of Manicouagan was nominated as a Liberal, but lost party support after being nominated, and continued to run as an independent; he is listed here as a Liberal rather than an independent, as he was listed as a Liberal on the ballot.http://www.thespec.com/news/canada/article/515531--booted-liberal-candidate-still-in-the-race Booted Liberal candidate still in the race TheSpec.com The Canadian Press 2011-04-11 2011-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20110816151838/http://www.thespec.com/news/canada/article/515531--booted-liberal-candidate-still-in-the-race 2011-08-16https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/controversial-quebec-liberal-to-remain-in-race-1.1063211 Controversial Quebec Liberal to remain in race CBC News 2011-04-11 2011-04-12 Payton Laura 2020-11-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030728/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/controversial-quebec-liberal-to-remain-in-race-1.1063211 live 2. The Rhinoceros Party contested the previous federal election under the name Neorhino.ca. 3. People's Political Power Party of Canada failed to run candidates in the 2011 election and was deregistered by Elections Canada on April 13, 2011.Deregistration of People's Political Power Party of Canada 2011-04-13 http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=med&document=apr1311b&dir=pre&lang=e Elections Canada 2011-04-13 2020-10-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20201025001449/https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=med&document=apr1311b&dir=pre&lang=e live The voter turnout was 61.1%.Pomfret R. Voter Turnout at Federal Elections and Referendums http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=ele&dir=turn&document=index&lang=e Elections Canada Online Elections Canada 2012-02-10 2010-09-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20100928015827/http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=ele&dir=turn&document=index&lang=e live + Elections to the 41st Parliament of Canada – seats won/lost by party, 2008–2011Party2008Gain from (loss to)2011ConNDPLibBQGrnIndCA Conservative row-name 143 2(6) 27 (1) 1166CA NDP row-name 37 6 (2) 17 (1) 45 1 103CA Liberal row-name 77 (27) 1(17) 34CA BQ row-name 49 (45) 4CA Green row-name –1 1CA Independent row-name 2 (1) (1) –Total 308 7(30) 3 (69) 44 (1) 45 (1)2 308 + Resulting composition of the 41st Parliament of Canada Source PartyConNDPLibBQGrnTotalSeats retained Incumbents returned 128 33 31 3 195Open seats held 8 1 2 1 12Ouster of incumbents changing affiliation 1 1Seats changing hands Incumbents defeated 26 61 1 88Open seats gained 1 7 8Byelection gains held 2 1 3Ouster of 3rd-party byelection gain 1 1Total 166 103 34 4 1 308 Analysis Ternary plots - shift of electoral support (2008-2011) 350 200 yes center Electoral districts identified by colours of winning parties File:Ternary CA2008.svg 2008 Ternary plot of 2008 results File:Ternary CA2011.svg 2011 Ternary plot of 2011 results Popular vote #ddd 600px 410px Conservative CA Conservative 39.62 New Democratic CA NDP 30.63 Liberal CA Liberal 18.91 Bloc Québécois CA BQ 6.04 Green CA Green 3.91 Others CA Inde 0.89 Seat totals #ddd 600px 410px Conservative CA Conservative 53.90 New Democratic CA NDP 33.44 Liberal CA Liberal 11.04 Bloc Québécois CA BQ 1.30 Green CA Green 0.32 Results by province Party nameBCABSKMBONQCNBNSPENLYTNTNUTotal    Conservative Seats:21 27 13 11 73 5 8 4 1 1 1 0 1 166 Vote:45.5 66.8 56.3 53.5 44.4 16.5 43.9 36.7 41.2 28.4 33.8 32.1 49.9 39.6     New Democratic Seats:12 1 0 2 22 59 1 3 0 2 0 1 0 103 Vote:32.5 16.8 32.3 25.8 25.6 42.9 29.8 30.3 15.4 32.6 14.4 45.8 19.4 30.6     Liberal Seats:2 0 1 1 11 7 1 4 3 4 0 0 0 34 Vote:13.4 9.3 8.6 16.6 25.3 14.2 22.6 28.9 41.0 37.9 33.0 18.4 28.6 18.9     Bloc Québécois Seats: colspan="5" rowspan="2" 4 colspan="7" rowspan="2" 4 Vote:23.4 6.0     Green Seats:1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Vote:7.7 5.3 2.7 3.6 3.8 2.1 3.2 4.0 2.4 0.9 18.9 3.1 2.1 3.9      Independent and no affiliation Vote:0.2 1.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4Total seats36 28 14 14 10675 10 11 4 7 1 1 1 308 Post-election Cartographical analysis of 2011 results 160 170 center Image:Canada_federal_election_2011_-_Results_By_Riding.svg Results by riding. Shading refers to strength of popular vote. File:Canada federal election 2011 ridings won.svg Identification of ridings gained by each party, relative to 2008. File:Canada Fed election 2011 Ridings losses.svg Identification of ridings lost by each party, relative to 2008. Overview of results right|thumb|250px|Analysis of results by riding, together with comparisons from previous election and at dissolution. right|thumb|250px|Canada Federal Election 2011 by Province thumb|right|250px|Rendition of party representation in the 41st Canadian Parliament decided by this election #6495ED Conservatives (166) #F4A460 New Democrats (103) #F08080 Liberals (34) #87CEFA Bloc Québécois (4) #2F873E Green Party (1) With an overall voter turnout of 61.4% and 14,823,408 ballots cast,Reilly Ian "Amusing Ourselves to Death?" Social Media, Political Satire, and the 2011 Election Canadian Journal of Communication 2011 36 3 503 10.22230/cjc.2011v36n3a2508 the Conservative Party remained in power, moving from a minority to a majority governmenthttp://enr.elections.ca/National_e.aspx Preliminary Results Elections Canada 2011-05-03 2012-02-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120228042630/http://enr.elections.ca/National_e.aspx live by winning 166 of the 308 seats.Kanada: Konservative erringen Sieg https://www.welt.de/print/welt_kompakt/print_politik/article13334432/Kanada-Konservative-erringen-Sieg.html 2011-05-11 Die Welt 2011-05-04 de 2011-05-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20110509154721/http://www.welt.de/print/welt_kompakt/print_politik/article13334432/Kanada-Konservative-erringen-Sieg.html live The New Democratic Party won the largest number of seats in their history, including a large majority of seats in Quebec (where they had previously only ever elected two candidates) and formed the Official Opposition for the first time. The Liberal Party won the fewest seats in their history and party leader Michael Ignatieff was defeated in his own riding. The Bloc Québécois, which had always won at least a majority of seats in Quebec in every election of their existence, lost nearly all their seats, and thus also their official party status, including the seat of their leader Gilles Duceppe.LeBlanc Daniel Duceppe resigns as Bloc leader after losing riding https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/duceppe-resigns-as-bloc-leader-after-losing-riding/article2007598/ 2011-05-11 The Globe and Mail 2011-05-02 2011-05-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20110505112408/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/duceppe-resigns-as-bloc-leader-after-losing-riding/article2007598/ live Green Party leader Elizabeth May became the first Member of Parliament elected to represent the party.Taylor Lesley Ciarula Dryden falls, Trudeau survives: Notable election winners and losers https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/federalbudget/article/984605--dryden-falls-trudeau-survives-notable-election-winners-and-losers?bn=1 2011-05-03 Toronto Star 2011-05-03 2011-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20110506040353/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/federalbudget/article/984605--dryden-falls-trudeau-survives-notable-election-winners-and-losers?bn=1 live Recounts Elections Canada ordered three judicial recounts,Chai Carmen Elections Canada now reviewing 3 riding wins https://montrealgazette.com/news/canada/Elections+Canada+reviewing+riding+wins/4735165/story.html 2011-05-05 Montreal Gazette 2011-05-05 2015-01-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20150112140031/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/canada/Elections+Canada+reviewing+riding+wins/4735165/story.html live and an elector initiated a fourth.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/vote-recount-set-for-winnipeg-federal-riding-1.1110579 Vote recount set for Winnipeg federal riding CBC News 2011-05-13 2011-05-14 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110516065337/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/05/13/mb-recount-election-winnipeg.html 2011-05-16 The Canada Elections Act states that "a judicial recount is required when the difference in votes between the first- and second-place candidates is less than one one-thousandth of the total votes cast in a riding," and allows an elector or candidate in any riding to approach a judge and request a recount regardless of the final result. In all four ridings, Etobicoke Centre, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, Nipissing—Timiskaming, and Winnipeg North, the validated result was confirmed: As initially validated by election officials, Conservative Party candidate Ted Opitz defeated Liberal incumbent Borys Wrzesnewskyj in Etobicoke Centre by 25 votes,https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/985959--judicial-recount-ordered-for-etobicoke-centre-riding Judicial recount ordered for Etobicoke Centre riding 2011-05-04 2011-05-04 Toronto Star Henry Stancu 2012-10-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024032213/http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/985959--judicial-recount-ordered-for-etobicoke-centre-riding live a margin increased by one in the recount.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/conservative-opitz-wins-etobicoke-centre-recount-1.1067694 Conservative Opitz wins Etobicoke Centre recount CBC News 2011-05-23 2011-05-23 2011-05-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20110525050055/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/05/23/ted-opitz-recount-etobicoke-centre.html live Citing potential voter registration irregularities, however, Wrzesnewskyj has sought to have the result overturned by the courts, filing a formal motion with the Ontario Superior Court in spring 2012.Etobicoke Centre election result marred by 'irregularities' https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/etobicoke-centre-election-result-marred-by-irregularities-1.1129422 2021-05-03 CBC News 2012-04-23 2016-09-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20160910104109/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/etobicoke-centre-election-result-marred-by-irregularities-1.1129422 live On October 25, 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld Opitz's narrow victory.Judgements of the Supreme Court of Canada: Opitz v. Wrzesnewskyj 2012-10-25 http://scc.lexum.org/decisia-scc-csc/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/12635/index.do 2012-10-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20121027212853/http://scc.lexum.org/decisia-scc-csc/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/12635/index.do live Initially, Conservative Jay Aspin defeated incumbent Anthony Rota of the Liberal Party by 15 votes in Nipissing—Timiskaming; the recount added three votes to the margin of victory.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/recounts-confirm-liberal-victory-in-winnipeg-tory-win-in-northern-ontario/article2024876/ Recounts confirm Liberal victory in Winnipeg, Tory win in Northern Ontario The Globe and Mail Canada 2011-05-17 2011-05-17 Gloria Galloway 2011-11-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20111102052318/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/recounts-confirm-liberal-victory-in-winnipeg-tory-win-in-northern-ontario/article2024876/ live In Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, incumbent Conservative MP Bernard Généreux was initially declared re-elected, but due to a counting error on election night, the seat was later determined to have been won by the NDP candidate François Lapointe by a margin of five votes. The recount confirmed Lapointe as the winner by nine votes.https://vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/Recount+gives+59th+seat+Quebec/4785274/story.html Recount gives NDP 59th seat in Quebec Vancouver Sun Canada 2011-05-14 2011-05-15 2011-05-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20110517001619/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/Recount+gives+59th+seat+Quebec/4785274/story.html dead In Winnipeg North, a recount was requested by an elector; the difference between Liberal Kevin Lamoureux, the victor, and New Democrat Rebecca Blaikie was just 45 votes,Too close to be sure: judicial recount in Winnipeg North https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hlx9fkfvVDvIgGQva78aaVRr5Zkw?docId=6841615 2011-05-13 Canadian PressJune 2024 medicmedic reduced by one vote in the recount. Opposition party leadership changes Ignatieff announced on May 3, 2011, that he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party when it chose his successor.https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ignatieff-press-conference-fuels-speculation-about-leaders-future Ignatieff steps down as Liberal leader National Post Canada 2011-05-03 2011-05-03 2021-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807185725/https://nationalpost.com/category/news/ live Ignatieff took a teaching position at the University of Toronto after his defeat in Etobicoke—Lakeshore. He decided to teach classes in the law faculty, the department of political science, the Munk School of Global Affairs and the School of Public Policy and Governance. Ignatieff stated that, "The life that I like the best is teaching. It's the end of my life as a politician".Valpy Michael Ignatieff says U of T teaching position to mark 'end of my life as a politician' https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/u-of-t-teaching-position-to-mark-the-end-of-my-life-as-a-politician/article2011390/ 2011-05-05 The Globe and Mail 2011-05-05 2011-05-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20110509051935/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/u-of-t-teaching-position-to-mark-the-end-of-my-life-as-a-politician/article2011390/ live Bob Rae, Liberal MP for Toronto Centre and former Premier of Ontario (1990 to 1995, as a New Democrat), subsequently became interim leader of the Liberal Party, with a Liberal leadership election which took place April 14, 2013, during which Justin Trudeau was chosen as leader. Duceppe resigned as Bloc Québécois leader on election night following his defeat. Louis Plamondon, MP for Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour and Dean of the House, subsequently became interim parliamentary leader of the Bloc. Former MP Daniel Paillé, who lost his seat in the election, won the Bloc leadership election to succeed Duceppe on December 11, 2011.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/daniel-paill%C3%A9-new-leader-of-bloc-qu%C3%A9b%C3%A9cois-1.1073544 Daniel Paille new leader of Bloc Quebecois CBC News 2011-12-11 On July 25, 2011, Jack Layton took a leave of absence to fight a newly diagnosed cancer. Nycole Turmel, former union leader and newly elected MP for Hull—Aylmer, was named interim leader of the New Democratic Party. On August 22, Layton died. Turmel became opposition leader. A leadership election was held on March 24, 2012, and Tom Mulcair was elected leader of the New Democratic Party.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/mulcair-victorious-on-fourth-ballot/article2380309/ Mulcair victorious on fourth ballot https://web.archive.org/web/20170209221439/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/mulcair-victorious-on-fourth-ballot/article2380309/ 2017-02-09 The Globe and Mail 2012-03-24 Controversies The losing parties in the Berthier—Maskinongé riding claimed that the nomination papers for Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the newly elected NDP Member of Parliament for the riding, had irregularities.https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/985610--liberals-seek-revenge-on-quebec-mp-who-won-without-campaigning?bn=1 Liberals seek revenge on Quebec MP who won without campaigning 2011-05-04 Allan Woods 2011-05-05 Toronto Star 2011-05-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20110508024417/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/985610--liberals-seek-revenge-on-quebec-mp-who-won-without-campaigning?bn=1 live Some of the alleged irregularities include writing an address instead of signing, missing signatures, people thinking they were signing a petition for the NDP to name a candidate in the riding and one person not remembering that he signed her nomination papers even though he admitted that the signature looks like his. The NDP denied the allegations. Elections Canada has insisted that Brosseau's nomination papers were legitimate.Minsky Amy New MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau cleared by Elections Canada https://vancouversun.com/news/canada/Ruth+Ellen+Brosseau+cleared+Elections+Canada/4740008/story.html 2011-05-06 Vancouver Sun 2011-05-06 2016-06-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20160629104432/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada/Ruth+Ellen+Brosseau+cleared+Elections+Canada/4740008/story.html live Elections Canada stated that "The decision to overturn or uphold the results is at the discretion of the courts and not Elections Canada". The Liberal Party of Canada attracted controversy regarding the past racist comments and White supremacist history of one of its candidates in northern Quebec, Andre Forbes. His history as a white supremacist activist and past hate speech against Muslims, First Nations and LGBTQ+ people was uncovered by the NDP. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff immediately removed Forbes as a candidate.http://metronews.ca/news/202277/claims-of-racism-against-liberal-candidate-dog-ignatieff-in-quebec/ Claims of racism against Liberal candidate dog Ignatieff in Quebec Metro 2015-02-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20150203100031/http://metronews.ca/news/202277/claims-of-racism-against-liberal-candidate-dog-ignatieff-in-quebec/ 2015-02-03 dead Voter suppression scandal 2011 Canadian federal election voter suppression scandal In early 2012, there were allegations of voter suppression during the election, starting the robocall scandal. Elections Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigated claims that robocalls were used in an attempt to dissuade voters from casting their ballot by telling them their poll stations had changed location.https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Elections+Canada+investigating+robocalls+that+misled+voters/6194990/story.html Elections Canada investigating 'robocalls' that misled voters 2012-03-18 Maher Stephen McGregor Glen 2012-02-27 Ottawa CitizenNovember 2016 InternetArchiveBot yes While the Elections Canada investigation initially focused on calls sent into Guelph amidst nationwide complaints, the investigation continued to expand in scope and to examine complaints in other ridings across the country. Reports of fraudulent automated or live calls targeting opposition supporters were published in 100 ridingsDavid P. Ball http://www.vancouverobserver.com/world/canada/2012/02/27/robogate-election-scandal-11-robo-call-ridings-linked-conservatives-11-seat Robocall scandal by the numbers: up to 100 ridings allege election fraud The Vancouver Observer 2012-02-29 2012-03-27 2012-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20120411135912/http://www.vancouverobserver.com/world/canada/2012/02/27/robogate-election-scandal-11-robo-call-ridings-linked-conservatives-11-seat live and Elections Canada acknowledged it was investigating telephone election fraud complaints in 247 of Canada's 308 federal ridings. On March 27, 2012, the Council of Canadians announced that they had launched a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Canada to ask for by-elections to be ordered in seven ridings where complaints were received and where Conservatives had won by slim margins. The ridings named were Don Valley East, Winnipeg South Centre, Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, Vancouver Island North, Yukon, Nipissing-Timiskaming and Elmwood-Transcona.https://vancouversun.com/business/fp/yourmoney/Tories+offensive+over+robocalls/6234917/story.html Tories go on offensive over robocalls Vancouver Sun 2012-03-02 2012-03-26 2012-03-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20120305034226/http://www.vancouversun.com/business/fp/yourmoney/Tories+offensive+over+robocalls/6234917/story.html live https://ottawacitizen.com/news/Robocalls+Activist+group+files+legal+challenge+results+seven+ridings/6362995/story.html Robocalls: Activist group files legal challenge of results in seven ridings 2012-03-27 Maher Stephen McGregor Glen 2012-03-27 Ottawa Citizen 2012-03-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20120328160241/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Robocalls+Activist+group+files+legal+challenge+results+seven+ridings/6362995/story.html live The case was heard over two weeks starting December 9, 2012.Campion-Smith Bruce Wittington Les Elections Canada reveals massive robo-calls probe of 2011 election https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1296114--elections-canada-reveals-massive-robo-calls-probe-of-2011-election 2012-12-12 Toronto Star 2012-11-30 2012-12-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20121204112808/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1296114--elections-canada-reveals-massive-robo-calls-probe-of-2011-election live Justice Richard G. Mosley ruled in May 2013 that fraud had occurred in Guelph and that voting irregularities and misconduct occurred in all six of the contested ridings, but that it was not significant enough to warrant overturning the election results. The judge also ruled that the mostly likely source of the fraud was the Conservative Party of Canada's (using the CIMS database) and that there was no evidence that its use was approved by the CPC.Wingrove Josh 2013-05-23 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-ruling-dismisses-robo-call-appeal-clears-tories/article12121319/ Robo-calls had minimal impact on 2011 election, court rules, upholding results https://web.archive.org/web/20170209221233/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-ruling-dismisses-robo-call-appeal-clears-tories/article12121319/ 2017-02-09 The Globe and Mail 2013-05-24https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-court-won-t-remove-mps-over-election-robocalls-1.1331781 Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations – Politics – CBC News CBC News 2013-05-23 2013-05-24 2013-05-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20130524025949/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/05/23/pol-federal-court-robocall-allegations.html live In April 2013, a criminal charge in the matter was laid on Michael Sona, a former Conservative staffer who was the communications officer and official Ottawa liaison for the Guelph Conservative campaign.Guelph Conservatives felt national party influence, documents suggest http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/680217--guelph-conservatives-felt-national-party-influence-documents-suggest Guelph Mercury 2013-04-12 2021-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807185725/https://www.guelphmercury.com/guelph-on-news/ liveMore robocall suspects likely, Guelph MP says http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/912853--more-robocall-suspects-likely-guelph-mp-says Guelph Mercury 2013-04-12 2021-08-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807185750/https://www.guelphmercury.com/guelph-on-news/ live In August 2014, he was convicted of the charge.http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/michael-sona-guilty-in-robocalls-trial-1.2735676 Michael Sona guilty in robocalls trial – but 'did not likely act alone' CBC 2014-08-15 2014-08-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20140814183953/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/michael-sona-guilty-in-robocalls-trial-1.2735676 live Riding of Vaughan In a further scandal, Elections Canada was called on to investigate the finances of Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino's election finances after three former Conservative riding executives from Vaughanhttp://404systemerror.com/election-fraud-robocalls-the-case-of-vaughan/ Election Fraud & Robocalls: The Case of Vaughan 404 System Error 2012-03-08 2012-03-26 2012-03-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20120312154457/http://404systemerror.com/election-fraud-robocalls-the-case-of-vaughan/ livehttp://www.canada.com/news/Three+former+Tory+association+members+seek+probe+into+Fantino+election+finances/6280438/story.html Three former Tory association members seek probe into Fantino's election finances Canada.com 2012-03-09 2012-03-26May 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes signed affidavits alleging impropriety in Fantino's 2010 and 2011 election campaigns. They alleged there was a second, secret, illegal bank account containing $300,000.https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ex-tory-riding-execs-question-fantino-s-election-finances-1.1147707 Ex-Tory riding execs question Fantino's election finances CBC News 2012-03-09 2012-03-26 2012-03-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20120313011311/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/03/09/pol-fantino-election.html live Commentary In the wake of the election, pundits widely believed in a theme of major political realignment.Royce Koop, and Amanda Bittner, "Parties and Elections after 2011: The Fifth Canadian Party System?." in Amanda Bittner and Royce Koop, eds, Parties, Elections, and the Future of Canadian Politics (2013): 308-31. The Economist said, "the election represents the biggest realignment of Canadian politics since 1993."Economist May 3, 2011 Lawrence Martin, commentator for The Globe and Mail, claimed that "Harper has completed a remarkable reconstruction of a Canadian political landscape that endured for more than a century. The realignment sees both old parties of the moderate middle, the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals, either eliminated or marginalized."Martin Lawrence 2011-05-04 Harper's triumph: a realignment of historic proportion The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/harpers-triumph-a-realignment-of-historic-proportions/article2008719/ 2011-11-09 2011-12-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20111216043610/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/harpers-triumph-a-realignment-of-historic-proportions/article2008719/ live Writing for Maclean's, Andrew Coyne proclaimed "The West is in and Ontario has joined it," observing that the Conservatives achieved their majority predominantly due to strength in both Ontario and the western provinces (an electoral combination that was historically unlikely due to the low population of the latter); this, he argued, marked "the new axis of Canadian politics", and that "the Conservatives are now in a position to replace the Liberals as the natural governing party in Canada."Coyne Andrew 2011-05-06 The West is in and Ontario has joined it Maclean's http://www.macleans.ca/general/a-new-power-couple/ 2011-11-09 2014-09-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20140905192804/http://www.macleans.ca/general/a-new-power-couple/ live Books such as The Big Shift by John Ibbitson and Darrell Bricker, and Peter C. Newman's When the Gods Changed: The Death of Liberal Canada, provocatively asserted that the Liberals had become an "endangered species" and that an NDP-led opposition would mean that "fortune favours the Harper government" in subsequent campaigns.McLeod Paul 2015-10-22 Book Review: The Big Shift Explains Why Stephen Harper Will Keep Winning Buzzfeed https://www.buzzfeed.com/paulmcleod/book-review-the-big-shift-why-stephen-harper-will-keep-winni#.kk8WgyWkW 2015-10-22 2015-10-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20151023222156/http://www.buzzfeed.com/paulmcleod/book-review-the-big-shift-why-stephen-harper-will-keep-winni#.kk8WgyWkW liveValpy Michael 2011-11-25 Is a Liberal comeback mission impossible? The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/is-a-liberal-comeback-mission-impossible/article4246976/ 2015-10-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304223625/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/is-a-liberal-comeback-mission-impossible/article4246976/ live However, the resurgence of the Liberal Party in the 2015 election has since challenged that narrative.Nadelli Alberto Swann Glenn 2015-10-20 Three maps that explain the Liberals' great comeback in Canada's election The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/oct/20/canada-election-liberal-comeback-three-maps-justin-trudeau 2015-10-21 2015-10-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20151021134027/http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/oct/20/canada-election-liberal-comeback-three-maps-justin-trudeau livePaikin Steve 2015-10-19 Who says Canadian politics are boring? TVO http://tvo.org/blog/current-affairs/who-says-canadian-politics-are-boring 2011-10-21 2015-12-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222114454/http://tvo.org/blog/current-affairs/who-says-canadian-politics-are-boring live Student vote results Student votes are mock elections that run parallel to actual elections, in which students not of voting age participate. They are administered by Student Vote Canada. Student vote elections are for educational purposes and do not count towards the results. Though there were 308 ridings, only 301 were declared.https://studentvote.ca/federal2015/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/FED-SEC-EN-Handout-4.4.pdf 2011 Election Results Student Vote Canada 2025-05-05 Summary of the 2011 Canadian Student Vote ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Party ! rowspan="2" | Leader ! colspan="2" | Seats ! colspan="2" | Popular vote |- ! Elected ! % ! Votes ! % |- CA Conservative row-name | style="text-align: left;"| Stephen Harper | 130 || 42.2 || 166,893 || 30.97 |- CA NDP row-name | style="text-align: left;"| Jack Layton | 113 || 36.7 || 140,157 || 26.01 |- CA Liberal row-name | style="text-align: left;"| Michael Ignatieff | 47 || 15.3 || 106,166 || 19.70 |- CA BQ row-name | style="text-align: left;"| Gilles Duceppe | 6 || 1.9 || 7,011 || 1.30 |- CA Green row-name | style="text-align: left;"| Elizabeth May | 5 || 1.6 || 93,140 || 17.29 |- | style="background-color:gainsboro"| | colspan="2" style="text-align: left;" | Other | 0 || 0 || 25,479|| 4.73 |- | colspan="3" style="text-align: left;" | Total | 301* || 100.00 || 538,846 || 100.00 |- | colspan="7" style="text-align: left;" | Source: Student Vote Canada |} See also Canada Politics 2011 Bloc Québécois leadership election Controversies in the Canadian federal election, 2011 2013 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election List of Canadian federal general elections List of political parties in Canada Newspaper endorsements in the Canadian federal election, 2011 Results of the 2011 Canadian federal election 2011 Canadian federal election in Quebec Notes fn The only NDP candidates elected in Quebec before 2011 were Thomas Mulcair and Phil Edmonston, the latter in a 1990 by-election. The previous lowest seat total for the Liberals was 40 in the 1984 election. References 30em Further reading Pammett Jon H. Dornan Christopher The Canadian Federal Election of 2011 2011 Dundurn Press Toronto 978-1-4597-0182-3 Argyle Ray Turning Points: The Campaigns That Changed Canada – 2011 and Before 2011 Waterside Books Newman Peter C. When the Gods Changed: The Death of Liberal Canada 2011 Random House Canada Toronto 978-0-307-35828-8 External links Elections Canada CBC News – Canada Votes 2011 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/compare-the-party-platforms/article1964156/ Compare the party platforms The Globe and Mail Canada 2011-04-03 2011-04-17 2011 Category:2011 elections in Canada