Canadian federal election, 1958

The Canadian federal election of 1958 was the 24th general election in Canada's history. It was held to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons just nine months after the 23rd election. It transformed Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's minority into the largest ever majority government in Canadian history.

Related Topics:
Canadian House of Commons - 23rd election - Prime Minister - John Diefenbaker - Minority - Majority government - Canadian history

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Diefenbaker had called a snap election to capitalize on two factors:

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• nationally: the Liberals had just chosen a new leader, Lester Pearson, who, although well known around the world because of his work for the United Nations, was not well known by Canadians.
• in Quebec: Quebec had been largely Liberal since the Conscription Crisis of 1917, but upon the resignation of former Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, the province had no favourite son leader, as they had since 1948, and were open to new options. Diefenbaker formed an alliance with Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis and his conservative Union Nationale party, allowing Diefenbaker's Progressive Conservatives to sweep what had been a Liberal stronghold for a generation.

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Canadian federal election, 1958: National results ►