Canadian federal election, 1911

[Hatman 🍁]

John Graham Haggart led the Conservatives to only their second government since confederation, as voters grew tired of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberal Party in 1907.

The Liberals were mostly confined to Quebec, where they won the majority of their 60 seats. The Liberals narrowly edged the Tories in Quebec, winning 33 seats to the Tories' 30. The Liberals were also popular in immigrant-rich Saskatchewan, where they won all but 2 seats. The Liberals also won the lone Yukon seat.   The Tories meanwhile swept all seats in Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island, and did quite well in Ontario- winning all but 8 seats, in BC where they won all but 1 seat, Alberta (all but 2), New Brunswick (all but 4) and Nova Scotia (also all but 4)

Laurier knew the voters grew tired of his leadership, and decided to resign- against the best wishes of his party. The Quebec-dominated party chose another Quebecer, former Postmaster General Rodolphe Lemieux to lead the party.

The Haggart government slowed down immigration to the country, but did reduce some of the head tax against Asian immigrants- but did not eliminate them. Haggart did focus his government on building infrastructure, especially in the growing Western Canada.  Haggart would also be involved in a minor sex scandal of the day, with his detractors claiming the 72 year old was with a prostitute.

During this period, a naval arms race was brewing between the UK and Germany, and the Brits wanted the Canadians to help out with funds and ships. The Haggart government complied with the Brits. This is one of the major issues on the 1911 campaign, as the Lemieux Liberals have come out against it. Some in the party have called on Canada having its own Navy.  Lemieux claimed that the Tories were putting the interests of Britain over Canada.

Another big issue of the election was the idea of "reciprocity" with the US. The Tories rolled back some free trade measures with the US, forcing the Liberals to campaign on this platform. Reciprocity basically called for removal of protective tariffs on all natural resources being imported and exported between Canada and the United States.   Haggart said reciprocity would lead to the Americanization of Canada.  Reciprocity was backed by farmers, but opposed by businessmen.

Leaders:

 Haggart

 Lemieux


4 days.

[RogueBeaver]

Liberal as usual.

[Dr. Cynic]

Seems like this election will be a fairly dull one compared to 1907.

[Hatman 🍁]

Seems like this election will be a fairly dull one compared to 1907.

Why?

[Dr. Cynic]

Seems like this election will be a fairly dull one compared to 1907.

Why?

I don't think reciprocity will be as intensely felt as immigration was. I could be wrong though, but that's just my feeling.

[H. Ross Peron]

Returning to the Liberals

[Peter the Lefty]

Back to the Liberals as well, for the sake of an independent navy.  And the farmers need a break.

[DC Al Fine]

Tory again.

[Supersonic]

Going back to the Tories, they seemed to have kept immigration under control.

[Dr. Cynic]

After some thought, I went back to the Liberals.

[Njall]

I'll go Liberal this time

[Supersonic]

lol at another one term Tory government.

[politicallefty]

I strongly support free trade between Canada and the United States, so I strongly back the Liberals in this election.

[Hatman 🍁]

Seat totals after 30 votes:

Liberals: 202
Tories: 16
Others: 3

Prime Minister Haggart is leading in his seat. Notable Tories Borden, Meighen and Bennett are not, however.

[Hatman 🍁]

Voting is now closed. Seat total stands.

[Hatman 🍁]

Seats won by the Tories

New Westminster, BC
Vancouver City, BC
Yale-Cariboo, BC
Carleton, ON
Dufferin, ON
Hamilton East, ON
Hastings West, ON
Lanark South, ON
Muskoka, ON
Simcoe South, ON
Thunder Bay and Rainy River, ON
Toronto East, ON
Toronto North, ON
Toronto South, ON
Toronto West, ON
Beauharnois, QC

Seats won by "others"
Maisonneuve, QC (Labour)
Chicoutimi-Saguenay, QC (Ind. Cons.)
York South, ON (Ind. Cons.)