1935 Canadian federal election

The 1935 Canadian federal election was held on October 14, 1935. to elect members of the House of Commons of Canada of the 18th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal Party of William Lyon Mackenzie King won a majority government, defeating Prime Minister R. B. Bennett's Conservatives.

1935 Canadian federal election

October 14, 1935
245 seats in the House of Commons 123 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	74.2%[1] (0.7pp)
First party Second party Third party   Leader W. L. Mackenzie King R. B. Bennett J. H. Blackmore Party Liberal Conservative Social Credit Leader since 1919 1927 1935 Leader's seat Prince Albert Calgary West Lethbridge Last election 90 134 pre-creation Seats won 171 39 17 Seat change 83 95 17 Popular vote 1,967,839 1,290,671 180,679 Percentage 44.68% 29.84% 4.10% Swing 0.65pp 18.48pp 4.10pp   Fourth party Fifth party   Leader J. S. Woodsworth H. H. Stevens Party Co-operative Commonwealth Reconstruction Leader since 1932 1935 Leader's seat Winnipeg North Centre Kootenay East Last election pre-creation pre-creation Seats won 7 1 Seat change 7 1 Popular vote 410,125 384,462 Percentage 9.31% 8.73% Swing 9.31pp 8.73pp
Prime Minister before election R. B. Bennett Conservative Prime Minister after election William Lyon Mackenzie King Liberal

The central issue was the economy, which was still in the depths of the Great Depression. Bennett, in office since the 1930 election, had done little to stimulate the economy during his first few years, believing that a policy of high tariffs and trade within the British Empire would correct the depression. In the last months of his time in office, he reversed his position, however, copying the popular New Deal of Franklin Roosevelt in the United States. Upset about high unemployment and inaction by the federal government, voters were unwilling to allow the Conservatives to continue to govern, despite their change of policy.

The Conservatives were also suffering severe internal divisions. During his first years in office, Bennett had alienated those in his party who supported intervention in the economy. His last minute conversion to interventionism alienated the rest of the party. Former cabinet minister H.H. Stevens left to form the Reconstruction Party. Senior minister Sir Joseph Flavelle announced he would be supporting the Liberals.

Voters opted for Mackenzie King's promise of mild reforms to restore economic health. The Liberals crushed the Tories, winning 171[2] seats to the Conservatives' 39, the worst ever performance by the Tories until their collapse in 1993. The Liberal Party would continue to hold power until 1957.

The 1935 election was also important in it saw the final demise of the Progressive Party and the United Farmers of Alberta. Two new movements rose out of the west, however. The new Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, a social democratic party, first competed in this election and won seven seats, promising social reform. The Social Credit Party of Canada was even more successful, capturing seventeen seats on its platform of monetary reform despite winning less of the popular vote than the former.

The Canadian parliament after the 1935 election