Elections & Political Parties

On June 9, 2009, Nova Scotians elected the New Democratic Party government and Darrell Dexter their premier. The NDP win had historical significance. Not only did it bring to an end ten years of rule by the Progressive Conservative Party, but was also the first time an NDP premier had been elected in Atlantic Canada. The 2009 election campaign was dominated by economic and financial issues as the province attempts to deal with the global economic slowdown, rising unemployment, and possible government deficits. This article provides background information on the 2009 general election and includes the results of the previous election, party standings prior to dissolution of the legislature, pre-election polls, leader biographies, the platforms of the major political parties, overview of key election issues, and the results of the 2009 general election.

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On May 12, 2009, British Columbians elected the provincial Liberal Party, helmed by Gordon Campbell, to its third consecutive term in office. The 2009 election was dominated by economic and financial issues as the province attempts to deal with the global economic slowdown, rising unemployment, and government deficits. Additionally, the election coincided with a provincial referendum on electoral reform, in which the proposed change to a BC-STV system of electing representatives was defeated. This article provides background information on the 2009 general election and includes the results of the previous election, party standings prior to dissolution of the legislature, pre-election polls, leader biographies, platforms of the major political parties, as well as an overview of key election issues, as well as a summary of the election and referendum results.

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Even though the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party have agreed, if necessary, to form a coalition government, a number of events must occur for such a scenario to become reality. The following feature provides an overview of how it is possible for a proposed Liberal-NDP coalition government to assume power according to Canada’s parliamentary tradition, even without an election. It also includes a discussion of the particular steps that must be taken for such a change in government to occur, including: the introduction of a vote of non-confidence against the Conservative minority government; a request by the Governor General of the leader of the Liberal Party to form a new government; and the immediate tasks facing a possible coalition government once in power.

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Find an educational feature that provides an overview of the structure and policies of a possible coalition government, focusing on the two accords signed on December 1, 2008 by the Liberal Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party of Canada, and the Bloc Québécois.

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On December 1, 2008, the Liberal Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois officially signed an agreement to defeat the Conservative minority government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Under this agreement, the Liberals and NDP agreed to form a coalition government, which would be supported by the Bloc. What led to the signing of this coalition accord? The following article provides an overview of factors and events surrounding the signing of this agreement, including the broader political and economic context, the coalition partners’ rejection of the Conservative economic and fiscal update, the negotiation of the agreement, and the Conservative response to the coalition threat, including its decision to seek a prorogation (or “temporary suspension”) of Parliament from Canada’s Governor General until January 2009.

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