Canada: small Diefenbaker majority '62

[RogueBeaver]

Some ways:  economic carnage takes a bit longer to manifest itself, worse Liberal campaign (a Pearsonian hallmark, godawful campaigns which pissed away what should've been solid majorities), or the UN hangs on in Quebec, enabling them to firewall enough PC seats and perhaps butterflying the Socreds.

Target: low 140s.

So how bad would things get economically, internationally, and on the national unity front? I'd also expect Dief to retire in mid-mandate, with the RL '67 cast manifesting themselves. New Liberal leader would probably be Hellyer since Winters is out of Parliament and PET would never enter, plus Martin would be too old to fight a first election from outside government.

[DC Al Fine]

Was Hellyer as eccentric in the 1960's as we was in later life? If yes, I could see another Tory majority or two after 67.

[RogueBeaver]

No. For the PCs, their strongest leadership candidate would be Fulton. If the transition takes place by 1964 then the PCs probably lose the next election because of the economic carnage- too much damage to correct in a partial cycle, even with an economically rightward swing under new leadership.