Canadian federal election, 2004

The Canadian federal election, 2004 (more formally, the 38th general election), was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections. The main opposition party, the newly amalgamated Conservative Party of Canada, improved its position but with a showing below its expectations.

Related Topics:
June 28 - 2004 - Canadian House of Commons - Liberal - Prime Minister - Paul Martin - Conservative Party of Canada

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• For seat-by-seat results, see Results of the Canadian federal election, 2004.
• For a timeline of major events and campaign stops, see Timeline of the 2004 Canadian federal election.
• For maps showing party strengths by region and by riding, see Canadian federal election, 2004 map gallery.

On May 23, 2004, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, on the advice of Martin, ordered the dissolution of the House of Commons. Following a 36-day campaign, voters elected 308 Members of the House of Commons.

Related Topics:
May 23 - 2004 - Governor General - Adrienne Clarkson

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All three major national parties had changed their leaders since the 2000 elections. Although the election was initially widely expected to be a relatively easy romp for Martin to a fourth consecutive Liberal majority government, during the campaign many began instead to predict a far more closely-fought election. Polls started to indicate the possibility of a minority government for the Liberals, or even a minority Conservative government, fuelling speculation of coalitions with the other parties. In the end, the Liberals fared better than the final opinion polls had led them to fear, but not well enough to win a majority.

Related Topics:
2000 elections - Minority government - Coalitions

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On election day, polling times were arranged to allow results from most provinces to be announced more or less simultaneously, with the exception of Atlantic Canada, whose results were known before the close of polling in other provinces.

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Canadian federal election, 2004: National results ►