Electoral Renewal Canada (@electoralrenewalca.bsky.social)
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With all the talk of US-Canada trade, did you know the first Canada-US Free Trade agreement hinged on our election system? Turner's Liberals and Broadbent's NDP opposed the agreement, while Mulroney's PCs supported it. The election was called after the Senate refused to pass the agreement.

Electoral Renewal Canada on Bluesky

With all the talk of US-Canada trade, did you know the first Canada-US Free Trade agreement hinged on our election system?

Turner’s Liberals and Broadbent’s NDP opposed the agreement, while Mulroney’s PCs supported it.

The election was called after the Senate refused to pass the agreement. The results of the 1988 Federal Election. The popular vote was 43% for the PCs, 32% for the Liberals, and 20% for the NDP. The seat distribution was 57% for the PCs, 28% for the Liberals, and 15% for the NDP.

The PCs were carried to victory by their seat margins in Quebec and Alberta. With just 50% of the vote, they elected 87% of the MPs.

That’s how a party can win a majority government with just 43% of the popular vote in Canada.

The purpose of this not is not to question the merits of free trade, it’s to emphasize that elections have consequences.

When consequential decisions need to be made, like the ratification of a trade agreement (and more!), it’s important that the legislature accurately reflects the voters.

  • HonoredMuleEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    What a fantastic and timely historical object lesson – especially paired with this video that’s circulating.