Electoral history of Joe Clark

This article is the Electoral history of Joe Clark, the sixteenth Prime Minister of Canada.

Joe Clark in 1979.

A conservative, he served one term as Prime Minister (1979-1980). He led the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in three general elections, winning one (1979) and losing two (1980 and 2000).

Clark defeated Pierre Trudeau in the 1979 election, but did not win a majority in the House of Commons of Canada. He formed a minority government, but it proved to be short-lived. The Clark government fell on a budget vote in December, 1979, triggering the 1980 election. Trudeau won that election and returned to office with a majority government. Clark became the Leader of the Opposition, but in 1983 he lost a leadership challenge to Brian Mulroney, who took over as leader of the Progressive Conservatives.

Clark again became leader of the party in 1998, and led the Progressive Conservatives in the 2000 election. The party lost seats in the House of Commons, remaining in fifth place. Clark led the party in the House for three years, until he announced his resignation in 2002. Peter Mackay succeeded him as leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 2003.

Clark stood for election to the House of Commons of Canada eight times. He was elected each time, often by substantial majorities. He also stood once for election to the Alberta Legislative Assembly but was not elected.

Summary

Canada had ten provinces and two territories throughout Clark's time as Prime Minister.

Clark ranks twentieth out of twenty-three prime ministers for time in office, serving one term of 273 days.[1]

He was the second of three prime ministers from Alberta, the others being R. B. Bennett and Stephen Harper.

Clark was active in the Progressive Conservative Party from a young age.[2] In 1976, he entered the leadership convention called to replace the outgoing leader, Robert Stanfield. Clark won the leadership against a crowded field, including Brian Mulroney.

In the 1979 election, Clark defeated Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberals, but did not win a majority in the House of Commons. He formed a minority government but it proved to be short-lived. The Liberals and the New Democratic Party voted together to defeat the proposed budget in December, 1979, with the Social Credit members abstaining. The defeat on a budget measure triggered an immediate election, which Trudeau won, returning to power with a majority government.[3]

Clark returned to the position as Leader of the Official Opposition, but also faced criticism from within his own party. In 1983, there was a leadership review at the Progressive Conservative party convention. Although Clark won an approval of 66.9%, he determined that he needed a stronger mandate from the party. He resigned as leader, while announcing that he would again run for the leadership and seek the party's approval. At the leadership convention held in the summer of 1983, Clark was defeated by Mulroney.[2]

Although defeated for the leadership, Clark continued to sit in the Commons. When Mulroney led the Progressive Conservatives to a majority government in the general election of 1984, he appointed Clark to his Cabinet, first as Minister of External Affairs (1984-1991), and then as President of the Privy Council (1991-1993), with responsibility for constitutional affairs.[2] Clark announced his retirement before the 1993 general election, when the Progressive Conservatives were reduced from a majority government to only two seats in the Commons.

In 1998, Clark was again elected as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, which had never recovered from the 1993 defeat. He led the party in the 2000 election. The party lost seats in the House of Commons, remaining in fifth place. He led the party in the Commons until announcing his second retirement, in 2003.

Clark stood for election to the House of Commons for four different ridings. Three were in Alberta and one was in Nova Scotia, in a by-election after he was elected party leader in 2000. He was elected each time, often by substantial majorities. He served a total of 24 years, 9 months, and 11 days in the House of Commons.[4]

Prior to his first election to the House of Commons, Clark stood for election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 1967, but was defeated.

Federal general elections: 1979, 1980, and 2000

Clark led the Progressive Conservatives in three general elections. He won a minority government in the general election of 1979, but was defeated in the 1980 election. In the 2000 election, the Progressive Conservatives remained in fifth place in the Commons after the election.

Federal election, 1979

In his first election as leader, Clark led the Progressive Conservatives to a minority government, defeating Pierre Trudeau and the Liberals.

Canadian Federal Election, 1979 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
  Progressive ConservativeJoe Clark113635.9%
Liberal Pierre Trudeau211440.1%
  New Democratic PartyEd Broadbent2617.9%
Social Credit Fabien Roy64.6%
Total 282 98.5%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal election, 1980

Clark's government fell on a budget vote in December, 1979, triggering the general election of 1980. Trudeau led the Liberals in the resulting election and was returned to power with a majority. Clark became the Leader of the Opposition.

Canadian Federal Election, 1980 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal Pierre Trudeau114744.3%
  Progressive ConservativeJoe Clark210332.5%
  New Democratic PartyEd Broadbent3219.8%
Total 282 96.6%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal election, 2000

Clark became leader of the Progressive Conservatives for a second time in 1998 and led them in the general election of 2000. The party lost seats and remained in fifth place in the Commons.

Canadian Federal Election, 2000 - Parties, Leaders, Seats Won and Popular Vote
Party LeadersSeats WonPopular Vote
Liberal Jean Chrétien117240.9%
Alliance Stockwell Day26625.5%
Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe3810.7%
  New Democratic PartyAlexa McDonough138.5%
  Progressive ConservativeJoe Clark1212.2%
Total 301 97.8%3
Sources: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867

1 Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after election.
2 Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
3 Table does not include parties which received votes but did not elect any members.

Federal constituency elections, 1972 to 1988; 2000

Clark stood for election to the House of Commons eight times, starting with the general election of 1972. He was elected all eight times, from three different ridings in Alberta and one Nova Scotia riding.

1972 Federal Election: Rocky Mountain

Federal Election, 1972: Rocky Mountain, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative Joe Clark12,98451.6%
Liberal X Allen B. Sulatycky7,97331.7%
  New Democratic PartyAl Cheney3,11212.4%
Social Credit Brian Ganske1,0804.3%
Total25,149100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Rocky Mountain

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1974 Federal Election: Rocky Mountain

Federal Election, 1974: Rocky Mountain, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative X Joe Clark16,04261.1%
Liberal Arthur Yates6,23623.7%
  New Democratic PartyBob Wrigley2,75010.5%
Social Credit C. J. Speirs1,2304.7%
Total26,258100.0%
Source: Library of Parliament History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Rocky Mountain

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1979 Federal Election: Yellowhead

Federal Election, 1979: Yellowhead, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative X Joe Clark28,84970.0%
Liberal Laurie Switzer7,08317.2%
  New Democratic PartyBob Ritchie3,6008.7%
  Non-affiliatedLex Miller1,5353.7%
  IndependentRonnie B. Plaunt1430.3%
Total41,21099.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Yellowhead

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

1980 Federal Election: Yellowhead

Federal Election, 1980: Yellowhead, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative X Joe Clark27,95369.5%
Liberal Laurie Switzer7,30218.1%
  New Democratic PartyLaird Mitchell4,56211.3%
  IndependentRobert L. T. Brower2490.6%
  IndependentBrian K. Fallis1700.4%
Total40,23699.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Yellowhead

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

1984 Federal Election: Yellowhead

Federal Election, 1984: Yellowhead, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative X Joe Clark37,46274.0%
  New Democratic PartyRick Hardy6,90613.6%
Liberal Louis H. Joy4,0978.1%
Confederation of Regions G. R. Snow8291.6%
Rhinoceros Douglas Alan Bush7731.5%
Social Credit Audrey Sweigard5531.1%
Total50,62099.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Yellowhead

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

1988 Federal Election: Yellowhead

Federal Election, 1988: Yellowhead, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative X Joe Clark17,84744.5%
Reform Preston Manning11,20727.9%
  New Democratic PartyMuriel Stanley Venne6,17215.4%
Liberal John Higgerty3,9879.9%
Christian Heritage John M. Torringa7081.8%
Confederation of Regions Peter E. Hope900.2%
  Non-affiliatedPat Geo. A. O'Hara860.2%
Total40,09799.9%1
Source: Library of Parliament History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Yellowhead

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

This was the only time when a former prime minister and leader of the opposition (Clark) and a future leader of the opposition (Manning) were candidates in the same riding election.

2000 Federal By-Election: Kings–Hants

The 2000 by-election was triggered by the resignation of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Scott Brison, on July 24, 2000, to open a seat for Clark to re-enter the Commons.

Federal By-Election, September 11, 2000: Kings—Hants, Nova Scotia
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative Joe Clark14,52553.4%
  New Democratic PartyKaye Johnson7,37527.1%
Alliance Gerry Fulton4,38516.1%
  Non-affiliatedAlex Neron6702.5%
  IndependentJohn C. Turmel2210.8%
Total27,17699.9%1
Source: History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Kings—Hants

Elected.
1 Rounding error.

2000 Federal Election: Calgary Centre

Federal Election, 2000: Calgary Centre, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
  Progressive Conservative Joe Clark26,35846.0%
Alliance X Eric Lowther22,05438.5%
Liberal Joanne Levy5,6309.8%
  New Democratic PartyDon Lepan1,6042.8%
Green Michael Alvarez-Toye1,1702.0%
  IndependentBeverley Smith2930.5%
Marxist–Leninist Margaret Peggy Askin1330.2%
Total57,24299.8%1
Source: History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Calgary Centre

Elected.
X Incumbent.
1 Rounding error.

Alberta constituency election: 1967

1967 Alberta Election: Calgary South, Alberta
Party CandidatePopular Vote%
Social Credit X Arthur J. Dixon5,40141.9%
Progressive Conservative Joe Clark4,94038.4%
  New Democratic PartyJack Peters1,38810.8%
Liberal Willis O'Leary1,1468.9%
Total12,878100.0%

Elected.
X Incumbent.

Progressive Conservative Party Leadership Conventions and Reviews: 1976 to 1983, 1997

Clark ran in three leadership conventions and two leadership reviews. He was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party twice (1976, 1997), and defeated once (1983). After his victory in 1976, he succeeded Robert L. Stanfield as party leader. At the 1983 leadership convention, Clark was defeated by Brian Mulroney, who became leader. In 1998, he succeeded Jean Charest as party leader. Upon his retirement from politics in 2003, he was succeeded by Peter MacKay.

Clark also passed two leadership reviews after the 1980 general election, at the conventions of 1981 and 1983.

1976 Leadership Convention

When Robert Stanfield announced his resignation as party leader in 1976, Clark was one of a crowded field of candidates in the leadership convention. He won the leadership on the fourth ballot.

Progressive Conservative Leadership Convention, February 22, 1976
Voting results by ballot
Candidate First Ballot Second Ballot Third Ballot Fourth Ballot
Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast %
Claude Wagner 531 22.5% 667 28.5% 1,003 42.8% 1,122 48.6%
Brian Mulroney 357 15.1% 419 17.9%


369
Eliminated after third ballot.
15.8%
Joe Clark 277 11.7% 532 22.8% 969 41.4% 1,187 51.4%
Jack Horner 235 10.0%


286
Withdrew after second ballot.
12.2%
Paul Hellyer 231 9.8%


118
Withdrew after second ballot.
5.0%
Flora Macdonald 214 9.1%


239
Withdrew after second ballot.
10.2%
Sinclair Stevens


182
Withdrew after first ballot.
7.7%
John Allen Fraser 127 5.4%


34
Eliminated after second ballot.
1.5%
James Gillies


87
Withdrew after first ballot.
3.7%
Pat Nowlan 86 3.6%


42
Withdrew after second ballot.
1.8%
Heward Grafftey


33
Eliminated after first ballot.
1.4%
Total 2,360 100.0% 2,337 99.9%1 2,341 100.0% 2,309 100.0%
Source: CPAC – 1976 Progressive Conservative Leadership Convention

1 Rounding error.

Leadership Reviews: 1981, 1983

The Progressive Conservative party held leadership reviews of Clark's leadership at the conventions of 1981 and 1983. At the 1981 convention, 66.5% of the delegates voted in favour of Clark, with 33.5% voting against him. Clark continued on as leader, but at the 1983 convention, a similar review was held. Clark won 66.9% of the delegates, with 33.1% voting against him. He concluded that this level of support was not sufficient, and announced his resignation as leader, triggering an election convention, while also announcing that he planned to contest the leadership again at the convention.

1983 Leadership Convention

Clark at the 1983 leadership convention.
Mulroney at the 1983 leadership convention (photo by Alasdair Roberts).

The party held the leadership convention in the early summer of 1983. Clark was defeated on the fourth ballot by Brian Mulroney, who succeeded him as party leader.

Progressive Conservative Leadership Convention, June 11, 1983
Voting results by ballot
Candidate First Ballot Second Ballot Third Ballot Fourth Ballot
Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast % Votes cast %
Joe Clark 1,091 36.5% 1,085 36.7% 1,058 35.8 1,325 45.6
Brian Mulroney 874 29.3% 1,021 34.6 1,036 35.1 1,584 54.4
John Crosbie 639 21.4% 781 26.4%


858
Eliminated after third ballot.
29.1%
Michael Wilson


144
Withdrew after first ballot.
4.8%
David Crombie 116 3.9%


67
Eliminated after second ballot.
2.3%
Peter Pocklington


102
Withdrew after first ballot.
3.4%
John A. Gamble


17
Withdrew after first ballot.
0.6%
Neil Fraser


5
Eliminated after first ballot.
0.2%
Total 2,988 100.1%1 2,954 100.0 2,952 100.0% 2,910 100.0%
Source: CPAC – 1983 Progressive Conservative Leadership Convention

1 Rounding error.

1998 Leadership Election

In 1998, the Progressive Conservative Party held its leadership election under a new system. Instead of a convention with delegates, each Progressive Conservative constituency association had 100 points in the leadership election. Every member of the party could vote at the constituency level, to determine the allocation of the points for each constituency. A candidate had to win a majority of points (not necessarily votes) to win the leadership. Clark came out of retirement and won the leadership on the second round of ballots.

Points by ballot
Candidate First Ballot
October 24
Second Ballot
November 14
Points % Points %
Joe Clark 14,592 48.5% 23,321 77.5%
Hugh Segal
5,689
Withdrew after first ballot.
18.9%
David Orchard 4,916 16.3% 6,779 22.5%
Brian Pallister
3,676
Withdrew after first ballot.
12.2%
Michael Fortier
1,227
Eliminated after first ballot.
4.1%
Total 30,100 100.0% 30,100 100.0%
Source: CPAC – 1998 Progressive Conservative Leadership Convention

See also

References

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