Electoral history of Robert Borden

Borden led the Conservatives in the 1904 general election. He had replaced Sir Charles Tupper as leader of the Conservatives and Leader of the Opposition in 1901. His opponent in the general election was Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Laurier and the Liberals again won a majority government and Borden continued as Leader of the Opposition.

¹ Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
² Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
³ Independent Liberal candidates received only 309 votes nationally.
⁴ Election returns in 1904 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Some candidates did not list a party affiliation.
⁵ Rounding error.

Borden again led the Conservatives in the 1908 general election. His opponent was again Prime Minister Laurier, the leader of the Liberals. Laurier again won a majority government and Borden continued as Leader of the Opposition.

¹ Prime Minister when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
² Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
³ Election returns in 1908 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Some candidates did not list a party affiliation.
⁴ Rounding error.

Borden again led the Conservatives in the 1911 general election, which was fought on the issue of reciprocity (lowered trade barriers) with the United States. Naval policy was also an issue. Borden and the Conservatives won a majority government, defeating Laurier and the Liberals. Borden became Prime Minister and Laurier became Leader of the Official Opposition.

¹ Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
² Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
³ Election returns in 1911 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Some candidates did not list a party affiliation.

The 1917 election was Borden's last election. The election was fought entirely on the issue of conscription and Canada's role in World War I. Borden led a coalition of Conservatives and Liberals who supported the Borden government's conscription policy. Laurier was again his opponent, leading those Liberals who opposed the conscription policy. The election and the conscription crisis badly divided the country between English-Canadians, who tended to support conscription, and French-Canadians, who opposed it. Borden was re-elected and formed the Unionist (coalition) government.

¹ Leader of the Opposition when election was called; Prime Minister after the election.
² Prime Minister when election was called; Leader of the Opposition after the election.
³ Election returns in 1911 did not require candidates to declare party affiliation. Some candidates did not list a party affiliation.
⁴ Rounding error.

On Mr. Kidd's resignation, January 1, 1905, to provide a seat for Robert Laird Borden.

Canadian federal by-election, February 4, 1905: Carleton On the resignation of Edward Kidd, January 19, 1905
Party		Candidate	Votes	Elected
	Conservative	Robert Borden	acclaimed	Y
Total valid votes			–	–
Source(s) "Carleton, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 1968-04-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

In the 1908 general election, Borden stood in two constituencies as was permitted at that time: Halifax, Nova Scotia and Carleton, Ontario. He was elected in both ridings but chose to sit for Halifax, and resigned the Carleton seat.[2]

1908 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	Elected
	Conservative	Robert Borden	7,386	26.80	Y
	Conservative	Adam Brown Crosby	7,115	25.82	Y
	Liberal	William Roche	6,635	24.08
	Liberal	Michael Carney	6,423	23.31
Total valid votes			27,559	100.00
Source(s) "Halifax (1867- )". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020. Two members were elected from the district.

In the 1908 general election, Borden stood in two constituencies as was permitted at that time: Carleton, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was elected in both ridings but chose to sit for Halifax, and resigned the Carleton seat.[2]

1908 Canadian federal election: Carleton
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Elected
	Conservative	Robert Borden	2,667	67.28	+3.72	Y
	Liberal	James Ernest Caldwell	1,297	32.72	–3.72
Total valid votes			3,964	100.0
	Conservative hold		Swing		+3.72
Source(s) "Carleton, Ontario (1867-08-06 - 1968-04-22)". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020.

At this time, newly appointed Cabinet ministers had to stand for re-election. It was customary for the other party not to field a candidate.

Canadian federal by-election, October 27, 1911: Halifax
Party		Candidate	Votes	Elected
	Conservative	Robert Borden	acclaimed	Y
Total valid votes			–	–
Source(s) "Halifax (1867- )". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved March 24, 2020. Called upon the appointment of Robert Borden's as President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and his becoming Prime Minister of Canada, 10 October 1911.