Since the 1911 Canadian election the country had been governed by the Conservatives, first under Robert Borden and then under Arthur Meighen. During the war they had united with the pro-conscription Liberals and formed a Union government. A number of MPs, mostly Quebecers, stayed loyal to Sir Wilfrid Laurier, however, and maintained their independence. When Laurier died he was replaced as leader by the Ontarian Mackenzie King. After the 1919 budget a number of western unionist MPs, who were former Liberals, left the Union government in protest against the high tariff. Lead by Thomas Alexander Crerar this group became known as the Progressive Party. Also running were a number of Labour advocates, foremost amongst them J. S. Woodsworth of Winnipeg.

The election was the first one in which the majority of Canadian women were allowed to vote. Four women also ran for office, with Agnes Macphail of the Progressive Party being elected the first woman MP in Canada.

The election results saw Parliament split three ways. King's Liberals ended up one seat short of a majority government: they won almost all of Quebec as well as much of the Maritimes and a good portion of Ontario. The Progressive party won the second-most seats, dominating the west and winning almost a third of the seats in Ontario. The party won only one seat east of Ontario, however. Despite winning the second-most seats they declined forming the official opposition. The Conservatives won only a few fewer seats than the Progressives and formed the official opposition. They also won a good section of Ontario and had some support in the Maritimes and British Columbia. Two Labour MPs were elected: J. S. Woodsworth won his seat, and William Irvine was elected in Calgary.

Province-by-Province results. Seats and Popular Vote.

Party Name	North	B.C	Alb	Sask	Man	Ont	Que	NB	NS	PEI	Canada/Total
Liberal Party Seats		3		1	2	21	65	5	16	4	117
Pop Vote		29.8%	15.8%	20.7%	10.9%	29.8%	70.2%	49.4%	51.4%	45.7%	40.7%
Conservative Party of Canada Seats	1	7				37		5			50
Pop Vote		47.9%	20.3%	16.7%	24.4%	39.2%	18.4%	39.4%	32.3%	37.2%	30.3%
Progressive Party Seats		2	10	15	12	24		1			64
Pop Vote		9.0%	56.8%	61.0%	43.7%	27.7%	3.7%	10.4%	12.3%	12.3%	21.1%
Labour Party Seats		1	2								3
Pop Vote		4.9%	7.0%		5.7%	2.1%			3.1%	4.8%	2.7%
Socalist Party Seats
pop vote		4.8%			1.8%
Others Seats					1						1
Others Pop Vote		3.6%	0.1%	1.6%	13.5%	1.2%	7.7%	0.8%			5.2%
Party Name	North	B.C	Alb	Sask	Man	Ont	Que	NB	NS	PEI	Canada/Total

Note. Parties that capture less then 1% of the vote in a province are not recorded. Parties that capture more then 1% in a province, but less then 1% nationally, do not have national numbers.

Note. The Progressive Party, despite winning more seats, did not chose to form an official opposition, an honour which the Conservative Party did take.