1878 Canadian federal election

1878 Canadian federal election

← 1874 September 17, 1878 1882 →

206 seats in the House of Commons
104 seats needed for a majority
Turnout69.1%[1] (Decrease0.5pp)
  First party Second party
 
Leader John A. Macdonald Alexander Mackenzie
Party Conservative Liberal
Leader since 1867 1873
Leader's seat Victoria[a] Lambton
Last election 65 seats, 30.1% 129 seats, 39.5%
Seats won 134 63
Seat change Increase69 Decrease66
Popular vote 229,191 180,074
Percentage 42.06% 33.05%
Swing Increase11.96pp Decrease6.45pp

1878 Canadian electoral map

The Canadian Parliament after the 1878 election

Prime Minister before election

Alexander Mackenzie
Liberal

Prime Minister after election

John A. Macdonald
Conservative

The 1878 Canadian federal election was held on September 17, 1878, to elect members of the House of Commons of the 4th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in the end of Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie's Liberal government after only one term in office. Canada suffered an economic depression during Mackenzie's term, and his party was punished by voters for it. The Liberals' policy of free trade also hurt their support with the business establishment in Toronto and Montreal.

Sir John A. Macdonald and his Conservative Party were returned to power after having been defeated four years before amidst scandals over the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

  1. ^ "Voter Turnout at Federal Elections and Referendums". Elections Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2019.


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