Canadian federal election, 1972

Canadian federal election, 1972

The Canadian federal election of 1972 resulted in a slim victory for the Liberals, with them having 109 seats versus the Progressive Conservatives with 107. On election night the results appeared to give 109 seats to the Tories, however once the counting had finished, the next day, the results became clear, giving the Liberals a minority government.

The election was the second fought by Liberal leader Pierre Trudeau. The Liberals entered the election high in the polls, but the spirit of Trudeaumania had worn off and a slumping economy hurt his party. The Tories were lead by Robert Stanfield, the former premier of Nova Scotia who had an honest but bumbling image.

The Liberals campaigned on the slogan "The Land is Strong", and television adds illustrating Canada's secenery. The slogan quickly became much derided and the entire campaign is viewed as being on of the worst managed in recent decades. The party had developed few real issues to campaign on. One program that hurt the Liberals in many parts of the country was official biligualism which many English-Canadians viewed as an expensive waste of money.

Party Seats Pop Vote

Liberals 109 38.4%

Progressive Conservatives 107 35.0%

NDP 31 17.7%

Social Credit 15 7.6%

Other 1 1.3%

Preceded by:
1968 Canadian election Canadian federal elections Followed by:
1974 Canadian election

Party	Seats	Pop Vote
Liberals	109	38.4%
Progressive Conservatives	107	35.0%
NDP	31	17.7%
Social Credit	15	7.6%
Other	1	1.3%