1958 Canadian federal election

1958 Canadian federal election

← 1957 March 31, 1958 1962 →

265 seats in the House of Commons
133 seats needed for a majority
Turnout79.4% (Increase5.3pp)
  First party Second party
 
Leader John Diefenbaker Lester B. Pearson
Party Progressive Conservative Liberal
Leader since December 14, 1956 January 16, 1958
Leader's seat Prince Albert Algoma East
Last election 112 105
Seats won 208 48
Seat change Increase96 Decrease57
Popular vote 3,910,852 2,459,700
Percentage 53.67% 33.75%
Swing Increase14.64pp Decrease8.58pp

  Third party Fourth party
 
Leader Major James Coldwell Solon Earl Low
Party Co-operative Commonwealth Social Credit
Leader since March 22, 1942 April 6, 1944
Leader's seat Rosetown—Biggar (lost re-election) Peace River
(lost re-election)
Last election 25 19
Seats won 8 0
Seat change Decrease17 Decrease19
Popular vote 692,398 188,717
Percentage 9.50% 2.59%
Swing Decrease1.21pp Decrease4.03pp


The Canadian parliament after the 1958 election

Prime Minister before election

John Diefenbaker
Progressive Conservative

Prime Minister after election

John Diefenbaker
Progressive Conservative

The 1958 Canadian federal election was held to elect members of the House of Commons of Canada of the 24th Parliament of Canada on March 31, 1958, just nine months after the 23rd election. It transformed Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's minority into the largest majority government in Canadian history and the second-largest percentage of the popular vote. Although the Tories would surpass their 1958 seat total in the 1984 election, the 1958 result (achieved in a smaller House) remains unmatched both in terms of percentage of seats (78.5%) and the size of the government majority over all opposition parties (a 151-seat majority). Voter turnout was 79.4%.[1]

  1. ^ Pomfret, R. "Voter Turnout at Federal Elections and Referendums". Elections Canada. Elections Canada. Retrieved February 23, 2014.

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