Electoral history of Pierre Trudeau

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For the biography of Pierre Trudeau, see Pierre Trudeau.
Pierre Trudeau in 1975.

This article is the Electoral history of Pierre Trudeau, the fifteenth Prime Minister of Canada.

A Liberal, he served two terms as Prime Minister (1968–1979; 1980–1984). He led the Liberal Party in five general elections, winning four (1968, 1972, 1974 and 1980) and losing one (1979). He won majority governments in 1968, 1974 and 1980, and a minority government in the 1972 election. With a total of fifteen years and 164 days in office, he is the third longest serving prime minister, after William Lyon Mackenzie King and Sir John A. Macdonald.

Trudeau succeeded Lester B. Pearson as prime minister in 1968. After Joe Clark won the 1979 election, Trudeau resigned and became Leader of the Opposition. The Clark government fell on a budget matter late in 1979 triggering the 1980 election, which returned Trudeau to office with a majority government. He retired in 1984 and was succeeded as Liberal leader and prime minister by John Turner.

Trudeau stood for election to the House of Commons of Canada six times, all for the riding of Mount Royal in Montreal, Quebec. He was elected with substantial majorities each time.

Summary[]

Canada had ten provinces and two territories throughout Trudeau's time as Prime Minister.

Trudeau ranks third out of twenty-three prime ministers for time in office, serving two terms totalling fifteen years and 164 days.[1]

Trudeau was the fourth of four prime ministers to serve non-consecutive terms, the others being Sir John A. Macdonald, Arthur Meighen and William Lyon Mackenzie King.

Trudeau was the fourth of eight prime ministers from Quebec, the others being Sir John Abbott, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Louis St. Laurent, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Justin Trudeau. He was also the third of five francophone prime ministers, the others being Laurier, St. Laurent, Chrétien, and Justin Trudeau.

Before entering politics, Trudeau was a federal public servant, an academic at the Université de Montréal and a social activist, particularly during the Asbestos Strike and as a founder and frequent contributor to the magazine Cité libre.[2] Along with two other colleagues from Cité libre, Gerard Pelletier and Jean Marchand, he was invited by Prime Minister Lester Pearson to join the Liberal government in Ottawa to combat the rising Quebec separatism. Trudeau stood for election in Mount Royal in the general election of 1965, winning the seat. Pearson appointed him as his parliamentary secretary and then Minister of Justice. Following Pearson's announcement of his retirement in 1968, Trudeau ran for the leadership of the Liberal party with Pearson's tacit support.[3] He won the leadership at the Liberal leadership convention of 1968 and became Prime Minister.[2]

Trudeau led the Liberals in five general elections. He was successful in the general elections of 1968, 1972 (albeit with a minority government), and 1974, but was defeated by Joe Clark in the 1979 election. However, Clark's minority government was defeated late in 1979, triggering another election in early 1980, which Trudeau won.[4]

Trudeau stood for election to the House of Commons six times (in 1965, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1979 and 1980), each time from the riding of Mount Royal, in Montreal, Quebec. He was elected with substantial majorities each election. His lowest vote count, in the 1965 election, was 55.6%, out of a field of four candidates. In his next election, in 1968 at the height of Trudeaumania, he received 90.8% of the votes in the riding. In the next four elections, he received over 70% in one election (1974), and over 80% of the votes in three elections (1972, 1979 and 1980). Trudeau served in the House of Commons for 18 years, 7 months and 22 days.[5]

Trudeau won the Liberal leadership at the 1968 Liberal leadership convention, from a field of nine candidates. Trudeau won on the fourth ballot by the narrow margin of 51.1% over the runner-up, Robert Winters, who had 40.6% of the votes. Future prime minister John Turner came in third, with 8.3% of the votes. As Liberal leader, Trudeau then became prime minister.

Federal general elections: 1968 to 1980[]

Trudeau led the Liberal Party in five general elections. He won four (1968, 1972, 1974 and 1980) and lost one (1979). He won three majority governments in the 1968, 1974 and 1980 elections, and a minority government in the 1972 election.

Federal general election: 1968[]

For more detailed tables of election results, see 1968 Canadian federal election.
For information about the 28th Parliament, 1968 to 1972, see 28th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Trudeau and political events during the 28th Parliament, see Pierre Trudeau § Prime Minister, 1968–1979.

Trudeau was elected leader of the Liberal Party on April 6, 1968. He called the election shortly afterwards and won a majority, defeating the Progressive Conservatives led by Robert L. Stanfield.

Canadian Federal Election, 1968 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party Leaders Seats Won Popular Vote
Liberal Pierre Trudeau1 154 45.4%
  Progressive Conservative Robert L. Stanfield2 72 31.4%
  New Democratic Party Tommy Douglas 22 17.0%
  Ralliement créditiste Réal Caouette 14 4.4%
  Independent – 1 0.5%
  Liberal-Labour – 1 0.1%
Total 264 98.8%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 1972[]

For more detailed tables of election results, see 1972 Canadian federal election.
For information about the 29th Parliament, 1973 to 1974, see 29th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Trudeau and political events during the 29rd Parliament, see Pierre Trudeau § Prime Minister, 1968–1979.

Trudeau led the Liberals in the 1972 election and was returned to office, but with a minority government. Stanfield and the Progressive Conservatives won only two seats less than the Liberals.

Canadian Federal Election, 1972 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party Leaders Seats Won Popular Vote
Liberal Pierre Trudeau1 109 38.4%
  Progressive Conservative Robert L. Stanfield2 107 35.0%
  New Democratic Party David Lewis 31 17.8%
Social Credit Réal Caouette 15 7.6%
  Independent – 1 0.6%
  No affiliation – 1 0.3%
Total 264 99.7%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 1974[]

For more detailed tables of election results, see 1974 Canadian federal election.
For information about the 30th Parliament, 1974 to 1979, see 30th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Trudeau and political events during the 30th Parliament, see Pierre Trudeau § Prime Minister, 1968–1979.

Trudeau led the Liberals in the 1974 election and was returned to office with a majority government, again defeating Stanfield and the Progressive Conservatives.

Canadian Federal Election, 1974 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party Leaders Seats Won Popular Vote
Liberal Pierre Trudeau1 141 43.2%
  Progressive Conservative Robert L. Stanfield2 95 35.5%
  New Democratic Party David Lewis 16 15.4%
Social Credit Réal Caouette 11 5.1%
  Independent – 1 0.4%
Total 264 99.6%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 1979[]

For more detailed tables of election results, see 1979 Canadian federal election.
For information about the 31st Parliament, October to December, 1979, see 31st Canadian Parliament.
For information about Trudeau and political events during the 31st Parliament, see Pierre Trudeau § Defeat and opposition, 1979–1980.

Trudeau led the Liberals in the 1979 election and was defeated. He resigned as Prime Minister. Joe Clark, the new leader of the Progressive Conservatives, formed a short-lived minority government.

Canadian Federal Election, 1979 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party Leaders Seats Won Popular Vote
  Progressive Conservative Joe Clark1 136 35.9%
Liberal Pierre Trudeau2 114 40.1%
  New Democratic Party Ed Broadbent 26 17.9%
Social Credit Fabien Roy 6 4.6%
Total 282 98.5%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal general election: 1980[]

For more detailed tables of election results, see 1980 Canadian federal election.
For information about the 32nd Parliament, 1980 to 1984, see 32nd Canadian Parliament.
For information about Trudeau and political events during the 32nd Parliament, see Pierre Trudeau § Prime Minister, 1980–1984.

After the 1979 election, Trudeau indicated he would resign as party leader, but would stay on as interim Leader of the Opposition. However, before the Liberals could elect a new leader, the Clark government fell in December 1979 when the opposition parties defeated the budget in the Commons. Trudeau led the Liberals in the resulting election and was returned to power with a majority. Clark became the Leader of the Opposition.

Canadian Federal Election, 1980 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party Leaders Seats Won Popular Vote
Liberal Pierre Trudeau1 147 44.3%
  Progressive Conservative Joe Clark2 103 32.5%
  New Democratic Party Ed Broadbent 32 19.8%
Total 282 96.6%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal constituency elections: 1965 to 1980[]

Trudeau stood for election to the House of Commons six times (in 1965, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1979 and 1980). He was elected all six times, each time from the riding of Mount Royal, in Montreal, Quebec.

1965 Federal Election: Mount Royal[]

Federal Election, 1965: Mount Royal, Quebec
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
Liberal Yes Pierre Trudeau 28,064 55.6%
  New Democratic Party Charles Taylor 14,929 29.6%
  Progressive Conservative Peter S. Wise 6,840 13.6%
  Ralliement Créditiste Michel Smith 598 1.2%
Total 50,431 100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Mount Royal

Yes Elected.

1968 Federal Election: Mount Royal[]

Federal Election, 1968: Mount Royal, Quebec
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
Liberal Yes X Pierre Trudeau 37,402 90.8%
  Progressive Conservative Huguette Marleau 1,965 4.8%
  New Democratic Party Jussy Brainin 1,583 3.8%
  Independent Walter Gallagher 182 0.4%
  Ralliement Créditiste Michel Lamonde 80 0.2%
Total 41,212 100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Mount Royal

Yes Elected.
X Incumbent.

1972 Federal Election: Mount Royal[]

Federal Election, 1972: Mount Royal, Quebec
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
Liberal Yes X Pierre Trudeau 36,875 80.6%
  Progressive Conservative Andrew Albert Brichant 4,446 9.7%
  New Democratic Party Harold Yudin 3,274 7.2%
Social Credit Alexander O. Bronstein 625 1.4%
  Non-Affiliated Gaston Miron 433 0.9%
  Non-Affiliated Robert A. Cruise 80 0.2%
Total 45,733 100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Mount Royal

Yes Elected.
X Incumbent.

1974 Federal Election: Mount Royal[]

Federal Election, 1974: Mount Royal, Quebec
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
Liberal Yes X Pierre Trudeau 32,166 75.0%
  Progressive Conservative Émile Mashaal 5,723 13.3%
  New Democratic Party Joe Rabinovitch 4,214 9.8%
Social Credit Bertrand Marcil 414 1.0%
  Independent Edward J. Ommer 211 0.5%
Marxist–Leninist Robert A. Cruise 162 0.4%
Total 42,890 100.0
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Mount Royal

Yes Elected.
X Incumbent.

1979 Federal Election: Mount Royal[]

Federal Election, 1979: Mount Royal, Quebec
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
Liberal Yes X Pierre Trudeau 43,202 85.2%
  Progressive Conservative J. David Dejong 3,660 7.2%
  New Democratic Party David C. Winch 2,023 4.0%
Social Credit Laflèche Trudeau 1,049 2.1%
Rhinoceros Jacques Ferron 649 1.3%
Communist David G. Johnston 81 0.2%
Marxist–Leninist Robert Verrier 61 0.1%
Total 50,725 100.1%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Mount Royal

Yes Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

1980 Federal Election: Mount Royal[]

Federal Election, 1980: Mount Royal, Quebec
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
Liberal Yes X Pierre Trudeau 33,821 81.2%
  Progressive Conservative Harry Bloomfield 4,402 10.6%
  New Democratic Party David C. Winch 2,356 5.7%
Rhinoceros Michel Flybin Rivard 715 1.7%
  Independent Gordon Edwards 149 0.4%
Libertarian Paul Eddie 126 0.3%
Marxist–Leninist Liz Watkins 68 0.2%
Total 41,637 100.1%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Mount Royal

Yes Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

1968 Liberal Party leadership election[]

For more detailed information about the 1968 Liberal leadership election, see 1968 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election.

Trudeau won the leadership on the fourth ballot. His main opponents were Paul Hellyer and Robert Winters, both former ministers in Pearson's governments.

Liberal Leadership Convention, April 6, 1968
Voting results by ballot
Candidate First Ballot Second Ballot Third Ballot Fourth Ballot
Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast %
Pierre Trudeau (1975).jpg Pierre Trudeau 752 31.8% 964 40.8% 1051 44.6% 1,203 51.1%
Paul Hellyer-c1969.jpg Paul Hellyer 330 13.9% 465 19.7%


377
Withdrew after third ballot. 		16.0% – –
Robert Winters.jpg Robert Winters 293 12.4% 473 20.0% 621 26.3% 954 40.6%
John Turner by Gage Skidmore.jpg John Turner 277 11.7% 347 14.7% 279 11.8% 195 8.3%
Paul Martin Sr.


277
Withdrew after first ballot. 		11.7% – – – – – –
Joe Greene 169 7.1% 104 4.4%


29
Eliminated after third ballot. 		1.2% – –
Allan MacEachen.jpg Allan MacEachen 165 6.9%



11
Eliminated after second ballot. 		0.5% – – – –
Eric Kierans


103
Withdrew after first ballot. 		4.3% – – – – – –
Harold Lloyd Henderson


0
Eliminated after first ballot. 		0.0% – – – – – –
Total 2,366 99.8%1 2,364 100.1%1 2,357 99.9%1 2,352 100.0%
Source: CPAC - 1968 Liberal Convention

1 Rounding error.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ PARLINFO: Prime Ministers of Canada.
  2. ^ a b Dictionary of Canadian Biography: "Trudeau, Pierre Elliot".
  3. ^ Dictionary of Canadian Biography: "Pearson, Lester Bowles".
  4. ^ Allan McEachern, "Behind the fall of Joe Clark", Toronto Star, December 11, 2009.
  5. ^ PARLINFO: The Right Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, P.C., Q.C., C.C., F.R.S.C.

External links[]

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