Canadian federal election, 1980

The Canadian federal election of 1980 was held on February 18, 1980 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. It was called when the minority Progressive Conservative government led by Joe Clark was defeated on a motion of no confidence in the Commons. Clark and his government had been under attack for its perceived inexperience, for example, in its handling of its 1979 election campaign commitment to move Canada's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Clark had maintained uneasy relations with the fourth largest party in the House of Commons, Social Credit. While he needed the six votes that the conservative-populist Quebec-based party had in order to get legislation passed, he was unwilling to agree to the conditions they imposed for their support. Clark had managed to recruit one Socred MP, Richard Janelle, to join the PC caucus.

Related Topics:
February 18 - 1980 - Canadian House of Commons - Minority - Progressive Conservative - Joe Clark - Israel - Tel Aviv - Jerusalem - Social Credit

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Clark's Minister of Finance, John Crosbie, introduced an austere government budget in late 1979 that proposed to increase the excise tax on gasoline by 18 cents per Imperial gallon to reduce the federal government's deficit. The five remaining Social Credit MPs demanded that the revenues raised be allocated to Quebec, and decided to abstain from a vote of non-confidence introduced by the New Democratic Party. This resulted in the defeat of the government in the House of Commons, and new elections to be called. Clark's Tories campaigned under the slogan, "Real change deserves a fair chance", but the voters were unwilling to give Clark another chance.

Related Topics:
John Crosbie - New Democratic Party

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Former Liberal prime minister Pierre Trudeau had resigned from the leadership of the Liberal Party following its defeat in 1979. Trudeau quickly came out of retirement to lead the party to victory, winning 34 more seats than in the 1979 federal election. This enabled the Liberals to form a majority government that would last until its defeat in the 1984 election.

Related Topics:
Liberal - Pierre Trudeau - 1979 federal election - Majority government - 1984 election

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The Social Credit Party lost its last five seats in the House of Commons, and rapidly declined into obscurity after this election.

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