Electoral history of John A. Macdonald

This article is the Electoral history of Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada (1867 to 1873; 1878 to 1891).

For the biography of John A. Macdonald, see John A. Macdonald.
Macdonald in 1872.

A Conservative, he was Canada's second longest-serving Prime Minister, with two separate terms as Prime Minister (1867–1873, 1878–1891). He won six general elections and lost one. He died in office in 1891, three months after his sixth general election victory, and was succeeded by Sir John Abbott.

Prior to Confederation in 1867, Macdonald was a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada and served three terms as joint Premier of the Province.

Summary
Macdonald in 1867.
Macdonald in 1883.

Macdonald was the second-longest serving Prime Minister, with two separate terms as Prime Minister (1867–1873, 1878–1891).[1] He was in office for a total of 18 years, 359 days. He led the combined Liberal-Conservative Party and Conservative Party in seven general elections, winning six and losing one. He is in a three-way tie with Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mackenzie King for the number of general elections he contested as leader of a party.

His streak of four consecutive majority governments (1878, 1882, 1887, and 1891) is tied with the identical record of Laurier as the longest streak of general election victories at the federal level. His unbroken term in office from October 17, 1878 to June 6, 1891 (just under thirteen years) is the third-longest unbroken term, coming after Laurier's unbroken term in office of over fifteen years (July 11, 1896 to October 6, 1911) and King's term of just over thirteen years (October 23, 1935 to November 14, 1948.[1]

Macdonald was the first of four prime ministers to serve non-consecutive terms, the others being Arthur Meighen, King, and Pierre Trudeau.

Macdonald was the first of five prime ministers from Ontario, the others being Alexander Mackenzie, Mackenzie Bowell, King and Lester B. Pearson.

Macdonald stood for election to the House of Commons of Canada twelve times, in 1867, 1872, 1874 (twice), 1878 (three times), 1882 (twice), 1887 (twice), and 1891, although some of those were multiple elections in the same general election, as was permitted at that time. He won eleven of the elections and was defeated once in his home constituency of Kingston, Ontario. Two of his elections were set aside for electoral irregularities, in one case requiring him to stand in a by-election, which he won.

Macdonald was elected as a member of the House of Commons for five different constituencies, and at various times sat in the Commons for three different constituencies in two different provinces (Kingston, Ontario; Victoria, British Columbia; and Carleton, Ontario). He served in the Commons for a total of 23 years, 7 months, and 10 days, continuously from the first Parliament, elected in 1867, to his death in 1891.[2]

Prior to the creation of Canada in 1867, Macdonald served seven terms (23 years) in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, as well as three terms as joint Premier of the Province. He was also elected alderman of his home town of Kingston, Ontario, the beginning of his electoral career.

Macdonald's combined time in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, and then in the House of Commons of Canada, totalled 46 years of elected service. His combined time as joint Premier of the Province of Canada and as Prime Minister of Canada totalled 28 years and 21 days.

Canada had four provinces in 1867, the year Macdonald became Prime Minister.
Canada had seven provinces, one territory and one semiautonomous district in 1891, the year of Macdonald's death.

Federal general elections, 1867 to 1891

Macdonald led the combined Liberal-Conservative Party and Conservative Party in seven general elections, winning six (1867, 1872, 1878, 1882, 1887 and 1891) and losing once (1874).

Federal election, 1867
For more detailed tables of election results, see Canadian federal election, 1867.
For information about the 1st Parliament, 1867 to 1872, see 1st Canadian Parliament.
For information about Macdonald and political events during the 1st Parliament, see John A. Macdonald § First majority.2C 1867-71.

Canada came into existence on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act, 1867 was proclaimed in force. The first general election to Parliament was held in the summer of 1867 and resulted in a majority government for Macdonald and his coalition of Conservatives and Liberal-Conservatives. The main opposition was from the Liberals, but there was also a substantial group of Anti-Confederation Members of Parliament from the province of Nova Scotia who were opposed to Confederation and sought to dissolve the new union.

Canadian Federal Election, 1867 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  ConservativeSir John A. Macdonald17123.45%
  Liberal-Conservative2911.08%
Liberal None26222.67%
  Anti-ConfederationJoseph Howe187.92%
  Independent–00.65%
  Independent Liberal–00.39%
  Unknown3–033.84%
Total 180 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Party structure had not yet emerged. George Brown of Ontario was the unofficial leader of the Liberal groupings.
3 Election returns in 1867 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation.

Federal election, 1872
For more detailed tables of election results, see Canadian federal election, 1872.
For information about the 2nd Parliament, 1873 to 1874, see 2nd Canadian Parliament.
For information about Macdonald and political events during the 2nd Parliament, see John A. Macdonald § Second majority and Pacific Scandal.2C 1872-73.

The 1872 election was closely fought. Macdonald was returned to office, albeit with a reduced majority. An election financing scandal arose shortly after the election, with allegations that Macdonald and the Conservatives had accepted bribes in return for granting the contract for the trans-Canadian railroad to the first Canadian Pacific Railway company of Hugh Allan. As a result of the scandal, Macdonald and his government was forced to resign in late 1873. The Governor-General, Lord Dufferin, appointed Alexander Mackenzie, the leader of the Liberals, as Prime Minister. Mackenzie called an election in early 1874.

Canadian Federal Election, 1872 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  ConservativeSir John A. Macdonald16325.8%
  Liberal-Conservative3612.9%
Liberal None29534.7%
  Independent Liberal–21.6%
  Independent Conservative–20.7%
  Independent–11.6%
  Conservative Labour–10.5%
  Unknown3–022.2%
Total 180 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Party structure had not yet emerged. Edward Blake of Ontario was the unofficial leader of the Liberal groupings.
3 Election returns in 1872 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation.

Federal election, 1874
For information about the 3rd Parliament, 1874 to 1878, see 3rd Canadian Parliament.
For information about Macdonald and political events during the 3rd Parliament, see John A. Macdonald § Opposition.2C 1873-78.

Prime Minister Mackenzie formed his government in late 1873, after the fall of the Macdonald government in late 1873. Mackenzie called the general election in early 1874. He won a majority and was confirmed in office. Macdonald retained the support of the Conservatives and became the Leader of the Opposition. The 1874 election was the only general election Macdonald lost.

Canadian Federal Election, 1874 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal Alexander Mackenzie112939.5%
  ConservativeSir John A. Macdonald23917.7%
  Liberal-Conservative2612.4%
  Independent Liberal–52.0%
  Independent–43.2%
  Independent Conservative–30.7%
  Conservative Labour–00.5%
  Unknown3–024.0%
Total 206 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Election returns in 1874 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation.

Federal election, 1878
For more detailed tables of election results, see Canadian federal election, 1878.
For information about the 4th Parliament, 1878 to 1882, see 4th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Macdonald and political events during the 4th Parliament, see John A. Macdonald § Third_and_fourth_majorities.2C_1878-87.

In the 1878 election, Macdonald and the Conservatives were returned to government, defeating Alexander Mackenzie and the Liberals.

Canadian Federal Election, 1878 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  ConservativeSir John A. Macdonald18526.3%
  Liberal-Conservative4915.8%
Liberal Alexander Mackenzie26333.0%
  Independent–52.7%
  Independent Conservative–20.2%
  Independent Liberal–11.0%
  Nationalist Conservative–10.1%
  Unknown3–020.9%
Total 206 100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Election returns in 1878 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation.

Federal election, 1882
For more detailed tables of election results, see Canadian federal election, 1882.
For information about the 5th Parliament, 1883 to 1887, see 5th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Macdonald and political events during the 5th Parliament, see John A. Macdonald § Third_and_fourth_majorities.2C_1878-87.

Macdonald and the Conservatives were maintained in power by the 1882 election. Macdonald won his fourth majority government, defeating the Liberals, now led by Edward Blake.

Canadian Federal Election, 1882 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  ConservativeSir John A. Macdonald19427.8%
  Liberal-Conservative3912.6%
Liberal Edward Blake27331.1%
  Independent Liberal–21.1%
  Independent–11.6%
  Nationalist Conservative–10.2%
  Independent Conservative–10.2%
  Unknown3–025.4%
Total 211 100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Election returns in 1882 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Large numbers of candidates did not list a party affiliation.

Federal election, 1887
For more detailed tables of election results, see Canadian federal election, 1887.
For information about the 6th Parliament, 1887 to 1891, see 6th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Macdonald and political events during the 6th Parliament, see John A. Macdonald § Fifth and sixth majorities.2C 1887-91.3B death.

Macdonald and the Conservatives were maintained in power by the 1887 election. Macdonald won his fifth majority government, defeating the Liberals, again led by Edward Blake. One notable feature of the election was the drop in Quebec seats held by the Conservatives, following the execution of Louis Riel two years earlier.

Canadian Federal Election, 1887 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  ConservativeSir John A. Macdonald19640.2%
  Liberal-Conservative277.3%
Liberal Edward Blake27943.1%
  Independent Liberal–62.2%
  Independent Conservative–31.6%
  Nationalist Conservative–20.5%
  Independent–11.2%
  Nationalist–10.7%
  Unknown3–03.3%
Total 215 100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Election returns in 1887 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Many candidates did not list a party affiliation.

Federal election, 1891
For more detailed tables of election results, see Canadian federal election, 1891.
For information about the 7th Parliament, 1887 to 1891, see 7th Canadian Parliament.
For information about Macdonald and political events during the 7th Parliament, see John A. Macdonald § Fifth and sixth majorities.2C 1887-91.3B death.
Election poster from Macdonald's last election.

The 1891 election was Macdonald's last. Macdonald, aged 76, again led the Conservatives to victory, his sixth, albeit with a reduced majority. His opponent in the 1891 election was Wilfrid Laurier, the new leader of the Liberals. Macdonald died three months after the election.

Canadian Federal Election, 1891 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  ConservativeSir John A. Macdonald19743.0%
  Liberal-Conservative205.6%
Liberal Wilfrid Laurier29045.2%
  Independent Conservative–31.9%
  Independent–20.8%
  Independent Liberal–10.7%
  Nationalist Conservative–10.2%
  Nationalist–10.0%3
  Equal Rights–00.3%
  Progressive–00.1%
  Unknown4–02.2%
Total 215 100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Acclaimed.
4 Election returns in 1887 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Many candidates did not list a party affiliation.

Federal constituency elections, 1867 to 1891

Macdonald stood for election to the House of Commons twelve times, in three different provinces (British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario), in five different ridings. He was elected eleven times and defeated once.[2]

1867 Federal election: Kingston
Federal Election, 1867: Kingston, Ontario
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative John A. Macdonald73583.8%
  UnknownJohn Stewart14216.2%
Total877100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kingston

Elected.

1872 Federal election: Kingston
Federal Election, 1872: Kingston, Ontario
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative X John A. Macdonald73554.9%
  UnknownJohn Carruthers60445.1%
Total1,339100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kingston

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1874 Federal election: Kingston
Federal Election, 1874: Kingston, Ontario
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative X John A. Macdonald83951.2%
  UnknownJohn Carruthers80148.8%
Total1,640100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kingston

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1874 Federal by-election: Kingston

On Macdonald's election being declared void, November 21, 1874

Federal By-Election, December 29, 1874: Kingston, Ontario
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative X John A. Macdonald88950.5%
  UnknownJohn Carruthers87249.5%
Total1,761100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kingston

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1878 Federal election: Kingston

Macdonald stood for election in three different constituencies at the 1878 general election, as was permitted at that time: Kingston, Ontario; Victoria, British Columbia; and Marquette, Manitoba. He was elected in Victoria and Marquette but was defeated in Kingston, his only loss at the constituency level. Macdonald chose to sit as the Member of Parliament from Victoria.[2]

Federal Election, 1878: Kingston, Ontario
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Liberal Alexander Gunn99153.7%
  Liberal-ConservativeX John A. Macdonald84745.9%
  UnknownJohn Stewart60.3%
Total1,84499.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kingston

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

1878 Federal election: Victoria

Macdonald stood for election in three different constituencies at the 1878 general election, as was permitted at that time: Victoria, British Columbia; Kingston, Ontario; and Marquette, Manitoba. He was elected in Victoria and Marquette but was defeated in Kingston, his only loss at the constituency level. Macdonald chose to sit as the Member of Parliament from Victoria.[2]

Federal Election, 1878: Victoria, British Columbia
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative John A. Macdonald89646.8%
Liberal X Amor De Cosmos53828.1%
  UnknownJ. P. Davies48025.1%
Total1,914100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Victoria

Elected (two member constituency).
X Incumbent.

1878 Federal election: Marquette

Macdonald stood for election in three different constituencies at the 1878 general election, as was permitted at that time: Marquette, Manitoba; Kingston, Ontario; and Victoria, British Columbia. He was elected in Victoria and Marquette but was defeated in Kingston, his only loss at the constituency level. Macdonald chose to sit as the Member of Parliament from Victoria.[2]

Federal Election, 1878: Marquette, Manitoba
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative John A. MacdonaldAcclaimed–
Total––
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Marquette

Elected.

1882 Federal election: Carleton

Macdonald stood for election in two different constituencies at the 1882 general election, as was permitted at that time: Carleton, Ontario and Lennox, Ontario. He was elected in both ridings but chose to sit as the Member of Parliament for Carleton. His election in Lennox was subsequently set aside for election irregularities.[2]

Federal election, 1882: Carleton
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative John A. Macdonald1,18548.7%
  UnknownJohn May62925.9%
Liberal Erskine Henry Bronson61725.4%
Total2,431100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Carleton

Elected.

1882 Federal election: Lennox

Macdonald stood for election in two different constituencies at the 1882 general election, as was permitted at that time: Lennox, Ontario, and Carleton. He was elected in both ridings but chose to sit as the Member of Parliament for Carleton. His election in Lennox was subsequently set aside for election irregularities.[2]

Federal election, 1882: Lennox
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative John A. Macdonald1,49253.6%
Liberal David Wright Allison1,29246.4%
Total2,784100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Lennox

Elected.

1887 Federal election: Kingston

Macdonald stood for election in two different constituencies at the 1887 general election, as was permitted at that time: Kingston, Ontario and Lennox, Ontario. He was elected in both ridings but chose to sit as the Member of Parliament for Kingston.[2]

Federal election, 1887: Kingston
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative John A. Macdonald1,36850.3%
Liberal X Alexander Gunn1,35149.7%
Total2,719100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kingston

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1887 Federal election: Carleton

Macdonald stood for election in two different constituencies at the 1887 general election, as was permitted at that time: Lennox, Ontario and Kingston, Ontario. He was elected in both ridings but chose to sit as the Member of Parliament for Kingston.[2]

Federal election, 1887: Carleton
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative X John A. Macdonald1,69173.6%
Liberal John K. Stewart60626.4%
Total2,297100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Carleton

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1891 Federal election: Kingston

Macdonald stood for election in Kingston, Ontario and was re-elected. It was his last election. He died three months after the election.[2]

Federal election, 1891: Kingston
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Liberal-Conservative X John A. Macdonald1,78457.3%
Liberal Alexander Gunn1,30141.8%
  UnknownMajor Edwards290.9%
Total3,114100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kingston

Elected.
X Incumbent.

Province of Canada General elections, 1844-1867
Macdonald around 1850.

Macdonald was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada seven times, in the provincial general elections of 1844, 1848, 1852, 1854, 1858, 1861 and 1863, for a total of 23 years in the Legislative Assembly. Throughout this period, he represented the riding of Kingston, Canada West, initially as a Conservative (1844-1858), and then as a Liberal-Conservative (1858-1867).

Macdonald served three terms as joint Premier for the Province of Canada: 1856-1858; 1858-1862; and 1864-1867. He was the longest-serving joint Premier, with a total time in office of 9 years and 27 days.

Municipal election: Kingston, 1843

Macdonald was elected once as alderman for the Town of Kingston.

Kingston Municipal Election, March 29, 1843: Kingston: Fourth Ward
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Unknown John A. Macdonald15678.4%
  UnknownColonel Jackson4321.6%
Total199100.0%
Source: The Man Who Made Us: The Life and Times of Sir John A. Macdonald[3]

Elected.

See also

References
  1. Parliament of Canada - PARLINFO: "Prime Ministers of Canada".
  2. Parliament of Canada - PARLINFO: MACDONALD, The Right Hon. Sir John Alexander, P.C., G.C.B., Q.C.
  3. Gwyn, Richard. The Man Who Made Us: The Life and Times of Sir John A. Macdonald, Vol 1: 1815–1867, p. 59. Toronto: Random House Canada, 2007.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.