The longstanding Liberal hegemony in Canada, and the challenges to it

Since the federal election of 1896, when voters in the mostly French-speaking province of Quebec switched their votes, en masse, from the Conservative to the Liberal Party, Canada has been characterized at the federal level by long periods of Liberal government with comparatively brief Conservative interludes.

Then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau; Guy Huot; then-Montreal mayor Jean Drapeau; and Robert Lapalme. Trudeau was prime minister from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984. Photograph courtesy Gordon Beck/City of Montreal's Archives

Opinion

BY MARK WEGIERSKI

October 17, 2022

TORONTO—Since the federal election of 1896, when voters in the mostly French-speaking province of Quebec switched their votes, en masse, from the Conservative to the Liberal Party, Canada has been characterized at the federal level by long periods of Liberal government with comparatively ...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy