Canadian federal election, 2011

Canadian federal election, 2011

2008 ← members May 2, 2011 (2011-05-02) members → 42nd

All 308 seats in the House of Commons of Canada 155 seats needed for a majority Opinion polls Turnout 61.4%   First party Second party Third party   Leader Stephen Harper Jack Layton Michael Ignatieff Party Conservative New Democrat Liberal Leader since March 20, 2004 January 24, 2003 May 2, 2009 Leader's seat Calgary Southwest Toronto—Danforth Etobicoke—Lakeshore (lost re-election) Last election 143 seats, 37.65% 37 seats, 18.18% 77 seats, 26.26% Seats before 143 36 77 Seats won 166 103 34 Seat change +23 +67 -43 Popular vote 5,832,401 4,508,474 2,783,175 Percentage 39.62% 30.63% 18.91% Swing +1.96pp +12.44pp -7.36pp   Fourth party Fifth party   Leader Gilles Duceppe Elizabeth May Party Bloc Québécois Green Leader since March 15, 1997 August 27, 2006 Leader's seat Laurier—Sainte-Marie (lost re-election) Saanich—Gulf Islands Last election 49 seats, 9.98% 0 seats, 6.78% Seats before 47 0 Seats won 4 1 Seat change -43 +1 Popular vote 889,788 576,221 Percentage 6.04% 3.91% Swing -3.94pp -2.87pp

Popular vote by province, with graphs indicating the number of seats won. As this is an FPTP election, seat totals are not determined by popular vote by province but instead via results by each riding.

Prime Minister before election Stephen Harper Conservative Prime Minister after election Stephen Harper Conservative

The 2011 Canadian federal election (formally the 41st Canadian general election) was held Monday, May 2, 2011, to elect members to the House of Commons of the 41st Canadian Parliament.

The writs of election for the 2011 election were issued by Governor General David Johnston on March 26. Prime Minister Stephen Harper advised the Governor General to dissolve parliament after the House of Commons passed a motion of non-confidence against the government, finding it to be in contempt of parliament. A few days before, the three opposition parties had rejected the government's proposed budget.^[1]

The Conservative Party remained in power, increasing their number of seats from a minority to a majority government. The Liberal Party won the fewest seats in their history, and party leader Michael Ignatieff was defeated in his riding. The Bloc Québécois lost official party status for the first time since their first election, and party leader Gilles Duceppe was also defeated in his riding. The New Democratic Party won the largest number of seats in their history, enabling them to form the Official Opposition for the first time. Green Party leader Elizabeth May won the first ever elected seat for that party in the Canadian parliament.

Background

Main article: 40th Canadian Parliament

The 2008 federal election resulted in the continuation of the incumbent Conservative minority government, headed by Stephen Harper. This sitting of the legislature was marked by two controversial prorogations: the first in December 2008 which ended an attempted opposition coalition, and the second a year following, which prompted public protests. Following the first prorogation, Ignatieff and the Liberal Party provided support for the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. On August 31, 2009, the Liberals withdrew their backing but the NDP under Jack Layton abstained and the Conservatives survived the confidence motion.^[2] Ignatieff's attempt to force a September 2009 election was reported as a miscalculation, as polls showed that most Canadians did not want another election. Ignatieff's popularity as well as that of the Liberals dropped off considerably immediately afterwards.^[3]

In 2011, Elections Canada laid charges against the Conservative Party, alleging contraventions of the Canada Elections Act five years earlier.^[4][5][6] This issue, along with the Bloc Québécois announcing its intention to vote against the budget, unless it contained numerous changes including $2 billion in compensation to Quebec for harmonizing PST and GST and funding for a new NHL arena in Quebec City, increased the speculation that there would be an election called soon as the Conservatives rejected the Bloc demands as "blackmail".^[7]

On March 9, 2011, Speaker of the House of Commons Peter Milliken ruled that Bev Oda, a minister of the Crown, and, separately, the Cabinet itself could both possibly be in contempt of parliament,^[8] the latter for its ongoing refusal to meet opposition requests for details of proposed bills and their cost estimates.^[9] Milliken directed both matters to committee and set as the deadline for its report March 21, 2011, one day before the budget was to be tabled. The committee found the government to be in contempt of Parliament.^[10] The vote divided along party lines, with the governing but minority Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) opposing the finding and issuing a dissenting report.^[9] After the committee released its findings, opposition leader and head of the Liberal Party Michael Ignatieff proposed a motion of no confidence against the Crown-in-Council and,^[11][12] on March 25, 2011, the House of Commons voted on the motion, the majority agreeing, by a margin of 156 to 145, with the committee's conclusions.^[13][14][15] A cabinet being found in contempt of parliament is without precedent in Canada or any other Commonwealth country.^[13][14] Earlier that week, all three opposition parties had indicated that they would oppose the government's budget; the NDP said that the concessions that the Conservatives made did not go far enough.^[1]

Campaign slogans

The parties' campaign slogans for the 2011 election:

• Bloc Québécois: "Parlons Québec"
• Conservative Party: "Here For Canada / Ici pour le Canada" & "Ignatieff - He didn't come back for you!". The second one makes reference to Ignatieff living abroad for many years.
• Green Party: "It's Time" & "Canada needs Elizabeth May but only you can elect her"
• Liberal Party: "Rise Up Canada" & "Change we need, from a proven team." The first one refers to Harper's contempt charge. The second one was used after the NDP's surge in the opinion polls making reference to the fact they never formed a government and have relatively inexperienced candidates.
• New Democratic Party: "Working For Families / Travaillons ensemble", "You have a choice", & "That's Canadian Leadership"

Results

Main articles: Results of the Canadian federal election, 2011 and Results by riding of the Canadian federal election, 2011

↓
166	103	34	4	1
Conservative	New Democratic	Liberal	BQ	G

e • d  Summary of the May 2, 2011 Canadian House of Commons election results

Party		Party leader	Candidates	Seats					Popular vote
				2008	Dissol.	2011	% Change	% seats	#	# Change	%	pp Change
	Conservative	Stephen Harper	307	143	143	166	+16.08%	53.90%	5,832,401	+623,332	39.62%	+1.97pp
	New Democratic	Jack Layton	308	37	36	103	+178.38%	33.44%	4,508,474	+1,993,186	30.63%	+12.45pp
	Liberal	Michael Ignatieff	3081	77	77	34	−42.86%	11.04%	2,783,175	−850,010	18.91%	−7.36pp
	Bloc Québécois	Gilles Duceppe	75	49	47	4	−91.84%	1.30%	889,788	−490,203	6.04%	−3.93pp
	Green	Elizabeth May	304	—	—	1	N/A	0.32%	576,221	−361,392	3.91%	−2.86pp
	Independents and no affiliation		61	2	2	—	−100%	—	72,731	−22,113	0.49%	−0.19pp
	Christian Heritage	James Hnatiuk	46	—	—	—	—	—	19,218	−7,257	0.13%	−0.06pp
	Marxist–Leninist	Anna Di Carlo	70	—	—	—	—	—	10,160	+1,595	0.07%	+0.01pp
	Libertarian	Dennis Young	23	—	—	—	—	—	6,017	−1,283	0.04%	−0.01pp
	Progressive Canadian	Sinclair Stevens	9	—	—	—	—	—	5,838	−22	0.04%	−0.00pp
	Rhinoceros2	François Gourd	14	—	—	—	—	—	3,819	+1,697	0.03%	+0.01pp
	Pirate	Mikkel Paulson	10	*	—	—	*	—	3,198	*	0.02%	*
	Communist	Miguel Figueroa	20	—	—	—	—	—	2,925	−647	0.02%	−0.01pp
	Canadian Action	Christopher Porter	12	—	—	—	—	—	2,030	−1,425	0.01%	−0.01pp
	Marijuana	Blair Longley	5	—	—	—	—	—	1,864	−434	0.01%	−0.00pp
	Animal Alliance Environment Voters	Liz White	7	—	—	—	—	—	1,451	+924	0.01%	+0.01pp
	Western Block	Doug Christie	4	—	—	—	—	—	748	+553	0.01%	+0.00pp
	United	Brian Jedan	3	*	—	—	*	—	294	*	0.00%	*
	First Peoples National	Will Morin	1	—	—	—	—	—	228	−1,383	0.00%	−0.01pp
	Vacant				3
Total			1,587	308	308	308	±0.0%	100.0%	14,720,580	+886,286	100%
Source: Elections Canada (Preliminary results)

1. André Forbes of Manicouagan was nominated as a Liberal, but lost party support after being nominated, and continued to run as an independent; he is listed here as a Liberal rather than an independent, as he was listed as a Liberal on the ballot.^[16][17]

2. The Rhinoceros Party contested the previous federal election under the name Neorhino.ca.

3. People's Political Power Party of Canada failed to run candidates in the 2011 election and was deregistered by Elections Canada on April 13, 2011.^[18]

The voter turnout was estimated to be 61.4%.^[19]

Electoral map of Toronto and the surrounding "905" constituencies showing the changes in election results between the 2008 and 2011 federal elections.

Results by province

Party name			BC	AB	SK	MB	ON	QC	NB	NS	PE	NL	YT	NT	NU	Total
	Conservative	Seats:	21	27	13	11	73	5	8	4	1	1	1	0	1	166
		Vote:	45.5	66.8	56.3	53.5	44.4	16.5	43.9	36.7	41.2	28.4	33.8	32.1	49.9	39.6
	New Democratic Party	Seats:	12	1	0	2	22	59	1	3	0	2	0	1	0	103
		Vote:	32.5	16.8	32.3	25.8	25.6	42.9	29.8	30.3	15.4	32.6	14.4	45.8	19.4	30.6
	Liberal	Seats:	2	0	1	1	11	7	1	4	3	4	0	0	0	34
		Vote:	13.4	9.3	8.6	16.6	25.3	14.2	22.6	28.9	41.0	37.9	33.0	18.4	28.6	18.9
	Bloc Québécois	Seats:						4								4
		Vote:						23.4								6.0
	Green	Seats:	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
		Vote:	7.7	5.3	2.7	3.6	3.8	2.1	3.2	4.0	2.4	0.9	18.9	3.1	2.1	3.9
	Independent and no affiliation	Vote:	0.2	1.3	0.2	0.1	0.2	0.6	0.5			0.3				0.4
	Total seats		36	28	14	14	106	75	10	11	4	7	1	1	1	308

Post-election

Overview of results

Rendition of party representation in the 41st Canadian Parliament decided by this election

  Conservatives (166)

  New Democrats (103)

  Liberals (34)

  Bloc Québécois (4)

  Green Party (1)

Results by riding; shades refer to popular vote, as all ridings elected one member

The Conservative Party remained in power, moving from a minority to a majority government ^[20] by winning 166 of the 308 seats.^[21] The New Democratic Party won the largest number of seats in their history, including a large majority of seats in Quebec (where they had previously only ever elected two candidates^{[fn 1]}) and will form the Official Opposition for the first time. The Liberal Party won the fewest seats in their history and party leader Michael Ignatieff was defeated in his own riding.^{[fn 2]} The Bloc Québécois, which had always won at least a majority of seats in Quebec in every election of their existence, lost nearly all their seats, and thus also their official party status, including the seat of their leader Gilles Duceppe.^[22] Green Party leader Elizabeth May became the first Member of Parliament elected to represent the party.^[23]

Recounts

Elections Canada ordered three judicial recounts,^[24] and an elector initiated a fourth.^[25] The Canada Elections Act states that "a judicial recount is required when the difference in votes between the first- and second-place candidates is less than one one-thousandth of the total votes cast in a riding," and allows an elector or candidate in any riding to approach a judge and request a recount regardless of the final result.^[24] In all four ridings, Etobicoke Centre, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, Nipissing—Timiskaming, and Winnipeg North, the validated result was confirmed:

• As initially validated by election officials, Conservative Party candidate Ted Opitz defeated Liberal incumbent Borys Wrzesnewskyj in Etobicoke Centre by 25 votes,^[26] a margin increased by one in the recount.^[27]
• Initially, Conservative Jay Aspin defeated incumbent Anthony Rota of the Liberal Party by 15 votes in Nipissing—Timiskaming; the recount added three votes to the margin of victory.^[28]
• In Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, incumbent Conservative MP Bernard Généreux was initially declared re-elected, but due to a counting error on election night, the seat was later determined to have been won by the NDP candidate François Lapointe by a margin of five votes.^[24] The recount confirmed Lapointe as the winner by nine votes.^[29]
• In Winnipeg North, a recount was requested by an elector; the difference between Liberal Kevin Lamoureux, the victor, and New Democrat Rebecca Blaikie was just 45 votes,^[30] reduced by one vote in the recount.^[28]

Opposition party leadership changes

Ignatieff announced on May 3, 2011, that he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party when it chooses his successor.^[23][31] Ignatieff took a teaching position at the University of Toronto after his defeat in Etobicoke—Lakeshore.^[32] He will teach classes in the law faculty, the department of political science, the Munk School of Global Affairs and the School of Public Policy and Governance.^[32] Ignatieff stated that "The life that I like the best is teaching. It’s the end of my life as a politician".^[32] Bob Rae, Liberal MP for Toronto Centre and former Premier of Ontario (1990 to 1995, as a New Democrat), subsequently became interim leader of the Liberal Party, with a Liberal leadership election scheduled for 2013.

Duceppe resigned as Bloc Québécois leader on election night following his defeat.^[23] Louis Plamondon, MP for Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour and Dean of the House, subsequently became interim parliamentary leader of the Bloc, with a Bloc leadership election scheduled for December 11, 2011.

On July 25, 2011, Jack Layton took a leave of absence to fight a newly diagnosed cancer. Nycole Turmel, former union leader and newly elected MP for Hull—Aylmer, was named interim leader of the New Democratic Party. On August 22, Layton died. Turmel became opposition leader. A NDP leadership election is scheduled for March 24, 2012.

Controversies

The losing parties in the Berthier—Maskinongé riding claimed that the nomination papers for Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the newly-elected NDP Member of Parliament for the riding, had irregularities.^[33] Some of the alleged irregularities include writing an address instead of signing, missing signatures, people thinking they were signing a petition for the NDP to name a candidate in the riding and one person not remembering that he signed her nomination papers even though he admitted that the signature looks like his.^[33] The NDP denied the allegations.^[33] Elections Canada has insisted that Brosseau's nomination papers are legitimate.^[34] Elections Canada stated that "The decision to overturn or uphold the results is at the discretion of the courts and not Elections Canada".^[34]

Timeline

Main article: Timeline of the Canadian federal election, 2011

• March 25, 2011: The Liberal Party's no-confidence motion passes the House 156–145, and the Prime Minister moves for the House to adjourn.^[35]
• March 26, 2011: Governor General David Johnston agrees to dissolve the 40th Parliament following a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.^[36]
• April 12, 2011: English leaders' debate.
• April 13, 2011: French leaders' debate.
• April 22, 23, and 25, 2011: Advance polls open^[37]
• May 2, 2011: Polling Day
• May 23, 2011: Return of Writs^[38]
• June 2, 2011: 41st Parliament convenes^[39]

Issues

Crime and law enforcement

Internet surveillance and warrant-less wiretapping

The Conservatives promised to re-introduce Internet surveillance legislation that they were not able to pass, and bundle it with the rest of their crime bills. They said they plan to fast track the legislation within 100 days after taking office.^{[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47]}

Long gun registry

Harper pledged to scrap the long-gun registry.^[48]

Crime strategies

The Conservative platform included a promise to consolidate twelve crime bills into at least one omnibus bill and pass it within 100 days of forming a majority government. The bills included within that list would crack down on organized drug crime, end house arrest for violent criminals and establish tougher sentences and mandatory jail time for sexual offences against children.^[49] The opposition parties claimed the crime bills were not costed fully, and the opposition parties countered that this would create a US style system of prisons.^[50] The Conservatives have not released the costs for expanding the prison system. The other parties state that more focus should be given on crime prevention, so that it doesn't happen in the first place.^[50] The New Democratic Party (NDP) stated that their promise to hire 2,500 more police officers to patrol the streets, will help in preventing crime from occurring in the first place.^{[51][52][53][54]}

Defence policy

The Conservatives plan to purchase 65 F-35 Lightning II jet fighters. Stating "Our defence policy is broken" the NDP announced that they would prioritize investment in naval ships over new fighter jets. The NDP stated that this would be a good opportunity to keep shipbuilding expertise and jobs in Canada.^{[55][56][57][58]}

Economy and fiscal policy

Balanced budget and recession

Conservatives argued that they steered the economy through the 2007-2010 global financial crisis, and promised to eliminate the budget deficit by 2014-15.^[59][60] Former Prime Minister Paul Martin, campaigning for the Liberals, challenged assertions, noting that his Liberal government left a $13 billion budget surplus, before the Conservatives took power.^[61][62] In 2010, Paul Martin had been invited to the prestigious Global ARC conference to discuss that elimination of the Canadian government deficit.^[63] Martin also claimed that when he was Finance minister working under Jean Chretien, his blocking of proposed bank mergers is what actually sheltered Canada from the worst effects of the recession.^[62][64][65] The New Democratic Party (NDP) released its platform promising a balanced budget in four years.^[66] After the NDP surge, the Liberals called the NDP platform "science fiction"^[67] stating it contains over $30 billion in new spending derived from sources that are not credible, and that implementing a cap and trade system that would take years to realize rather than provide the in-year contributions as claimed.^[67]

Corporate tax cuts and job creation strategy

The Conservatives stated that their plan to cut corporate taxes from 16.5% to 15%, will create more jobs.^[68] Harper stated that an increase in corporate taxes will create job losses across Canada. Layton countered by saying currently the jobs are shipped overseas, and pledged a $4,500 job creation tax credit to all businesses per new hire.^[69] Layton further went to say that small business are the ones creating more jobs, thus he promised to lower the tax rate for small business from 11% to 9%. He then went on to say the big business are using the corporate tax cuts by providing their CEOs with big bonuses, and thus pledged to increase their tax rate to 19.5%.^[50][70] The Liberals on the other hand, will raise the rate to 18%, stating that it will be competitive but not excessivley low

Increasing Canada Pension Plan

The NDP promised a gradual doubling of Canada Pension Plan and QPP benefits, in conjunction with the provinces, with an increase in payroll deductions of as much as 2.5 per cent.^[71]

HST referendum in BC

If BC voters were to reject the Harmonized Sales Tax in the upcoming referendum, the NDP promised to ensure that the penalties to be imposed by Ottawa on the HST agreement will be cancelled.^{[72][73][74][75]}

Personal taxation

Conservatives promised income splitting for tax purposes for families with children to be implemented once the budget is balanced in 2013.^[76]

Electoral reform and political honesty

Political honesty

The New Democratic Party stated that both the Conservatives and the Liberals cannot be trusted. The NDP accused the Conservatives of creating "Liberal-style scandals"^[77] and accused the Liberals of flip-flopping on issues such as corporate tax cuts, and the Afghanistan mission.^[78][79][80] Throughout the election various polls had shown the political honesty issue to be low on the list of priorities for voters. Post-media conducted a survey that found health care, the economy, taxes and jobs all more important to Canadians. Further, half of voters identified Harper as the best suited to be Prime Minister followed by Layton with one third support and Ignatieff with less than twenty percent support. On the question of a hidden agenda, Ignatieff is viewed by three times more of those polled to have a hidden agenda than Harper.^[81]

Political financing

Conservatives pledged to phase-out per-vote subsidy over two years, with its eventual cancellation.^[71]

Elimination of the Senate

Stephen Harper promised Senate reform although he stated he will not open the constitution to do so.^[82] The NDP pledged to abolish the Senate, stating it is a waste of tax payer dollars, and a form of patronage.^[50]

General

Possible left-wing coalition

The Conservatives asserted that the Liberals would form a coalition with the more left-leaning NDP and Bloc Québécois, despite repeated claims by the Liberals and NDP to the contrary^{[citation needed]}.

Promised government programs

Newfoundland dam and Quebec's HST

Conservatives, New Democrats and Liberals promised $4.2 billion in loan guarantees to support the Lower Churchill River power project.^[83] Due to outcry from Quebec over the pledge to provide loan guarantees for the Lower Churchill project, the Conservatives promise Quebec a $2.2 billion transfer to ease the Quebec Sales Tax to Harmonized Sales Tax transition.^[84]

Post-secondary education

Liberals promised a "Learning Passport" for high school students seeking post-secondary education.^[85] The NDP's plan is to reduce the tuition fees, by increasing transfer payments to the Provinces.

Immigration Fairness Commissioner

Liberals proposed the establishment of an "Immigration Fairness Commissioner" to provide oversight on the entry of immigrants with professional qualifications (doctors, engineers, etc.), and to increase the number of family reunification visas.^[86]

Health care

Health care – The NDP pledged to train 1,200 more doctors and 6,000 more nurses.^{[87][88][89][90][91]} All parties promised to continue to increase healthcare transfers to provinces by 6% annually.

Government regulations

Improved internet and usage based billing

The New Democratic Party (NDP) promised a ban on all forms of usage based billing by ISPs, and enshrine net neutrality in law, which would prevent bandwidth throttling. The Liberals promised net neutrality as well as "functional separation" with regards to usage based billing as well as enshrining net neutrality in law, which would prevent bandwidth throttling.^[92][93] Almost all of the established parties, with the exception of the Conservatives, outlined polices that they claim will improve Canadian Internet access.^[94]

Cap on credit card interest rates

The NDP promised to cap credit card rates at five percentage points above the Bank of Canada's prime interest rate.^[95]

Election campaign

Controversies and gaffes

Main article: Controversies in the Canadian federal election, 2011

A number of controversies took place during the election campaign.

Leaders' debates

See also: 2011 Canadian leaders debates

The English- and French-language debates took place on April 12 and 13 respectively.^[96][97]

On March 29, the consortium of broadcasters playing host to the debates (the CBC, CTV, Global, Radio-Canada and TVA) announced that it would only invite the leaders of the four recognized parties in the House of Commons, namely, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic (NDP). Therefore the Green Party was excluded, despite earning 6.8 per cent of the popular vote in the 2008 federal election.^{[98][99][100][101]}

On March 30, Stephen Harper challenged Michael Ignatieff to a one-on-one televised debate.^[102] Although Ignatieff accepted the challenge, this was opposed by the other opposition parties. The idea was later rejected by the broadcast consortium and cancelled.

On April 1, comedian Rick Mercer suggested over Twitter hosting a one-on-one debate between Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff at Toronto's Massey Hall. He later added he would donate $50,000 to the charities of their choosing if they were willing to participate. Ignatieff immediately accepted the challenge and named the Alzheimer Society as his charity of choice, as his mother succumbed to Alzheimer's disease in 1992. Harper did not respond to the challenge.^[103]

In an interview with The Globe and Mail published on April 1, Troy Reeb, the broadcast consortium chairman, discussed the process behind setting up the leaders' debates and the rationale for various decisions made, including the decision to exclude the Green Party's leader Elizabeth May.^[104]

On April 5, the Federal Court rejected the Green Party's request for an expedited hearing on the matter prior to the scheduled debates.^[105]

On April 10, the date of the French leaders debate was changed from April 14 to April 13 due to worries of broadcasting conflicts with the NHL playoffs scheduled for April 14.^[106] Also on April 10, Elizabeth May participated in a panel interview on CHCH-TV in Hamilton, which she was invited to attend, as were the leaders of the Bloc, Liberals, New Democrats and Conservatives, by Channel Zero, whose president was disappointed by May's exclusion from the leaders' debates.^[107]

Small parties public forum

A joint press conference and public forum was staged by 11 of the 18 registered parties and one unregistered party on April 23, 2011, at York University. Forum organizers invited the leaders from all registered political parties who do not have seats in parliament.^[108] Parties were able to explain their platforms and responded to questions from the audience. As a forum, the goal was an inter-party discussion of major issues, however some debate did occur.

Participants in the forum were the Animal Alliance Environmental Voters, the Canadian Action Party, the Christian Heritage Party, the Communist Party, the First Peoples National, the Libertarian Party, the Marijuana Party, the Marxist-Leninist Party, the Rhinoceros Party, and the Pirate Party.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May refused to participate in the forum claiming they are not one of "the small, fringe parties."^[109]

Opinion polls

Main article: Opinion polling in the Canadian federal election, 2011

New Democratic Party surge

In the week before the leaders debate, on April 8, a poll showed the New Democratic Party (NDP) support at 13.2%.^[110][111] A reversal of fortune began on April 16, when an Angus Reid poll indicated a tie in support for the NDP and the Liberals, both polling at 25%.^{[112][113][114]} The New Democrats' poll numbers then moved significantly ahead of the Liberals and slightly or moderately behind the Conservatives.^{[115][116][117]}

The surge began in Quebec, with the NDP surprising many observers by surpassing the previously front-running Bloc in Quebec. In the entirety of Canada, the NDP surged past the Liberals to take the second place behind the Conservatives; in Quebec, the NDP took first place.^[118][119] The NDP surge became the dominant narrative of the last week of the campaign, as other parties turned their attacks on the party.^[120] Ruth Ellen Brosseau, the NDP candidate in Berthier—Maskinongé, won despite not running a campaign and having a holiday in Las Vegas.^[23] The NDP's rise in popularity was nicknamed "Orange Crush", an allusion to the soft drink with the same name and the party's colour.^[121]

Spending limits

The calculation for a party's spending limit is based on the number of candidates a party is running and the number of voters in each riding where there is a candidate.^[122] Parties are allowed to spend 70 cents for each one of those voters.^[122] Local candidates were allowed to spend $2.07 for each of the first 15,000 electors, $1.04 for each of the next 10,000 and 52 cents for the remaining electors.^[122]

The parties with the highest spending limits were:

Party	Limit	Source
Liberal Party	$21,025,793.23	[122]
New Democratic Party	$21,025,793.23
Conservative Party	$20,995,088.91
Green Party	$20,764,344.60
Bloc Québécois	$5,737,817.88

The parties with the lowest spending limits were:

Party	Limit	Source
Animal Alliance Environment Voters	$467,969.04	[122]
Marijuana Party	$339,676.42
Western Block Party	$333,954.75
United Party	$241,406.53
First Peoples National Party	$62,702.06

Endorsements

Main article: Newspaper endorsements in the Canadian federal election, 2011

Most major newspapers endorsed the Conservatives, and none solely endorsed the Liberals or Greens. However Canada's highest circulated newspaper, the Toronto Star, advised to vote against the Conservatives.

Candidates by party

Articles on parties' candidates for the 41st election:

Animal Alliance Environmental Voters Bloc Québécois Christian Heritage Communist

Conservative Green Independent and no affiliation Liberal

Libertarian Marxist–Leninist New Democrats

See also

Canadian politics portal

• Controversies in the Canadian federal election, 2011
• Newspaper endorsements in the Canadian federal election, 2011
• List of Canadian federal general elections
• List of political parties in Canada
• Results of the Canadian federal election, 2011
• Bloc Québécois leadership election, 2011
• Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, 2013

Notes

1. ^ The only NDP candidates elected in Quebec before 2011 were Thomas Mulcair and Phil Edmonston, the latter in a 1990 by-election.
2. ^ The previous lowest seat total for the Liberals was 40 in the 1984 election.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} [1]
2. ^ "Canada's government survives non-confidence motion | Canada | Reuters". Ca.reuters.com. 2009-10-01. http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE58T4BE20091001. Retrieved 2010-04-28. 
3. ^ Ignatieff closing in on Dion territory National Post:November 14, 2009
4. ^ "Canada Elections Act Charges Laid" (Press release). Elections Canada. February 25, 2011. http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=abo&dir=com/stat&document=index&lang=e. Retrieved April 27, 2011. 
5. ^ Akin, David (February 25, 2011). "PM shrugs off charges against Tories". Lfpress.com. http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2011/02/24/17401196.html. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
6. ^ Bruce Cheadle (February 28, 2011). "Tory election allegations 'illegal' not administrative, prosecutor says". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tory-election-allegations-illegal-not-administrative-prosecutor-says/article1924161/. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
7. ^ "Bloc threatens to vote against budget". Macleans.ca. January 12, 2011. http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/01/12/bloc-threatens-to-vote-against-budget/. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
8. ^ Laura Payton (March 9, 2011). "PM on rulings: 'win some, lose some'". CBC News. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/03/09/pol-speaker-rulings.html. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "MPs' report finds government in contempt". CBC News. March 21, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/03/21/pol-privilege-contempt.html. Retrieved March 24, 2011. 
10. ^ "Question of Privilege Relating to the Failure of the Government To Fully Provide the Documents as Ordered by the House: Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs". March 2011. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Committee/403/PROC/Reports/RP5047570/procrp27/procrp27-e.pdf. Retrieved April 26, 2011. 
11. ^ Government of Canada (March 25, 2011). 40th Parliament, 3rd Session, Friday, March 25, 2011. Parlement of Canada. http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=5072532#SOBQ-3827544. Retrieved May 1, 2011. 
12. ^ Stephanie Levitz and Martin O'Hanlon, The Canadian Press: (March 23, 2011). "Harper government set to fall Friday, setting stage for vote in early May". Globaltvcalgary.com. http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/personalities/Liberals+introduce+confidence+motion/4489986/story.html. Retrieved April 13, 2011. 
13. ^ ^{a b} Bruce Cheadle (March 25, 2011). "Harper government topples on contempt motion, triggering May election". The Canadian Press; CTV news. http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110325/wpg_election_110325/20110325/?hub=WinnipegHome. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
14. ^ ^{a b} Thomas Walkom (March 25, 2011). "Walkom: Yes, contempt of Parliament does matter". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/962022--walkom-yes-contempt-of-parliament-does-matter. Retrieved March 25, 2011. 
15. ^ Gardner, Dan (April 8, 2011). "Gardner: Are we going to reward contempt of Parliament?". Ottawacitizen.com. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/decision-canada/Gardner+going+reward+contempt+Parliament/4564215/story.html. Retrieved April 27, 2011. 
16. ^ "Booted Liberal candidate still in the race". TheSpec.com. April 11, 2011. http://www.thespec.com/news/canada/article/515531--booted-liberal-candidate-still-in-the-race. Retrieved April 13, 2011. 
17. ^ "Controversial Quebec Liberal to remain in race". CBC News. April 11, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/11/cv-election-liberal-forbes.html?amp&amp. Retrieved April 12, 2011. 
18. ^ "Deregistration of People's Political Power Party of Canada". Elections Canada. April 13, 2011. http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=med&document=apr1311b&dir=pre&lang=e. Retrieved April 13, 2011. 
19. ^ Barr, Andrew (May 3, 2011). "Canadian election turnout estimated at 61.4%". National Post. http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/03/canadian-election-turnout-estimated-at-61-4/. Retrieved May 3, 2011. 
20. ^ "Preliminary Results". Elections Canada. http://enr.elections.ca/National_e.aspx. Retrieved May 3, 2011. 
21. ^ "Kanada: Konservative erringen Sieg" (in German). Die Welt. May 4, 2011. http://www.welt.de/print/welt_kompakt/print_politik/article13334432/Kanada-Konservative-erringen-Sieg.html. Retrieved May 11, 2011. 
22. ^ LeBlanc, Daniel (May 2, 2011). "Duceppe resigns as Bloc leader after losing riding". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/duceppe-resigns-as-bloc-leader-after-losing-riding/article2007598/. Retrieved May 11, 2011. 
23. ^ ^{a b c d} Taylor, Lesley Ciarula (May 3, 2011). "Dryden falls, Trudeau survives: Notable election winners and losers". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/federalbudget/article/984605--dryden-falls-trudeau-survives-notable-election-winners-and-losers?bn=1. Retrieved May 3, 2011. 
24. ^ ^{a b c} Chai, Carmen (May 5, 2011). "Elections Canada now reviewing 3 riding wins". Montreal Gazette. http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/canada/Elections+Canada+reviewing+riding+wins/4735165/story.html. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
25. ^ "Vote recount set for Winnipeg federal riding". CBC News. 13 May 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/05/13/mb-recount-election-winnipeg.html. Retrieved 14 May 2011. 
26. ^ Stancu, Henry (May 4, 2011). "Judicial recount ordered for Etobicoke Centre riding". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/985959--judicial-recount-ordered-for-etobicoke-centre-riding. Retrieved May 4, 2011. 
27. ^ "Conservative Opitz wins Etobicoke Centre recount". CBC News. May 23, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/05/23/ted-opitz-recount-etobicoke-centre.html. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
28. ^ ^{a b} Galloway, Gloria (May 17, 2011). "Recounts confirm Liberal victory in Winnipeg, Tory win in Northern Ontario". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/recounts-confirm-liberal-victory-in-winnipeg-tory-win-in-northern-ontario/article2024876/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Politics&utm_content=2024876. Retrieved May 17, 2011. 
29. ^ "Recount gives NDP 59th seat in Quebec". Vancouver Sun. May 14, 2011. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/Recount+gives+59th+seat+Quebec/4785274/story.html. Retrieved May 15, 2011. 
30. ^ "Too close to be sure: judicial recount in Winnipeg North". Canadian Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hlx9fkfvVDvIgGQva78aaVRr5Zkw?docId=6841615. Retrieved May 13, 2011. 
31. ^ National Post (May 3, 2011). "Ignatieff steps down as Liberal leader". National Post. http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/03/ignatieff-press-conference-fuels-speculation-about-leaders-future/. Retrieved May 3, 2011. 
32. ^ ^{a b c} Valpy, Micha el (May 5, 2011). "Ignatieff says U of T teaching position to mark 'end of my life as a politician'". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/u-of-t-teaching-position-to-mark-the-end-of-my-life-as-a-politician/article2011390/. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
33. ^ ^{a b c} Woods, Allan (May 4, 2011). "Liberals seek revenge on Quebec MP who won without campaigning". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/985610--liberals-seek-revenge-on-quebec-mp-who-won-without-campaigning?bn=1. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
34. ^ ^{a b} Minsky, Amy (May 6, 2011). "New MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau cleared by Elections Canada". Vancouver Sun. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada/Ruth+Ellen+Brosseau+cleared+Elections+Canada/4740008/story.html. Retrieved May 6, 2011. 
35. ^ Galloway, Gloria (March 25, 2011). "Harper government falls in historic Commons showdown". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-government-falls-in-historic-commons-showdown/article1956416/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
36. ^ Chase, Stephen (March 26, 2011). "Federal election called for May 2". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-election-called-for-may-2/article1957991/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
37. ^ "How do I vote FAQ". Elections Canada. April 26, 2011. http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=faq&document=faqvoting&lang=e#a1. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
38. ^ "Proclamation Issuing Election Writs". Canada Gazette, Part II 145 (1 (Extra)). March 28, 2011. http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2011/2011-03-28-x1/html/si-tr33-eng.html. 
39. ^ "MPs to return to Parliament Hill on June 2". Ottawa Citizen. May 16, 2011. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/return+Parliament+Hill+June/4792075/story.html. Retrieved May 16, 2011. 
40. ^ "Canadian conservatives promise "big brother laws" – At least they are honest". TechEye. April 11, 2011. http://www.techeye.net/security/canadian-conservatives-promise-big-brother-laws. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
41. ^ "Michael Geist – The Conservatives Commitment to Internet Surveillance". Michaelgeist.ca. April 9, 2011. http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/5733/125/. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
42. ^ "Electronic snooping bill a 'data grab': privacy advocates". CBC News. June 19, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/06/19/tech-internet-communications-electronic-police-bills-surveillance-follo-privacy.html. 
43. ^ "New Canadian legislation will give police greater powers". Digitaljournal.com. June 21, 2009. http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/274527. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
44. ^ "ISPs must help police snoop on internet under new bill". CBC News. June 18, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2009/06/18/tech-internet-police-bill-intercept-electronic-communications.html. 
45. ^ Matt Hartley and Omar El Akkad (June 18, 2009). "Tories seek to widen police access online". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tories-seek-to-widen-police-access-online/article1187507/. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
46. ^ Canadian bill forces personal data from ISPs sans warrant – http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/18/canada_isp_intercept_bills/
47. ^ Brown, Jesse (April 13, 2011). "Harper’s promise: a warrantless online surveillance state- Why ‘lawful access’ legislation is on its way and why that should worry you". Macleans.ca. http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/04/13/harpers-promise-a-warrantless-online-surveillance-state/. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
48. ^ Joe Friesen and John Ibbitson (April 4, 2011). "Harper courts rural ridings with vow to kill gun registry". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-courts-rural-ridings-with-vow-to-kill-gun-registry/article1970912/?from=sec368. Retrieved April 4, 2011. 
49. ^ "Conservative platform: Harper pledges to slash $4-billion in spending". News.nationalpost.com. April 8, 2011. http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/08/conservative-platform-harper-pledges-to-slash-4-billion-in-spending/. Retrieved April 26, 2011. 
50. ^ ^{a b c d} "INTERACTIVE: Federal Election Leaders' Debate 2011". Globalnews.ca. April 13, 2011. http://www.globalnews.ca/decisioncanada/debate/index.html. Retrieved May 1, 2011. 
51. ^ "NDP unveils plan to stamp out gang violence during Surrey stop". Vancouversun.com. April 8, 2011. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/unveils+plan+stamp+gang+violence+during+Surrey+stop/4580143/story.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
52. ^ Gloria Galloway (April 7, 2011). "NDP pledge aims to stamp out gang-related crime at its source". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-pledge-aims-to-stamp-out-gang-related-crime-at-its-source/article1974770/. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
53. ^ "Layton vows crime crackdown". Cknw.com. April 7, 2011. http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1398353. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
54. ^ Kirkup, Kristy (April 7, 2011). "NDP unveils crime policy | Decision 2011 | News". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/07/17905161.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
55. ^ "NDP prioritizes ships over jets". CBC News. April 8, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/04/08/cv-election-ndp-esquimalt.html. 
56. ^ Kirkup, Kristy (April 8, 2011). "New ships not jets, say NDP | Decision 2011 | News". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/08/17922626.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
57. ^ Gloria Galloway (April 8, 2011). "Layton pans Tory defence plan, unveils made-in-Canada alternative". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/layton-pans-tory-defence-plan-unveils-made-in-canada-alternative/article1976679/?from=sec368. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
58. ^ Murray Brewster (April 8, 2011). "NDP says replacing navy's aging supply ships would be its defence priority". Globalregina.com. http://www.globalregina.com/says+replacing+navy+aging+supply+ships+would+defence+priority/4586012/story.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
59. ^ "Tories vow to kill deficit early". Nationalpost.com. April 8, 2011. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/politics/Tories+kill+deficit+early/4582506/story.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
60. ^ "Tories vow to eliminate deficit early". CBC News. April 8, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/04/08/cv-election-day14.html. 
61. ^ "If this election's about the economy, let's hope the parties aren't stupid". The Sault Star. http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3035065. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
62. ^ ^{a b} "Paul Martin rips Tory fiscal record". torontosun.com. April 16, 2011. http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/16/18015056.html. Retrieved April 16, 2011. 
63. ^ "Europe Can Learn From Canada: John Major, Paul Martin | Canadian Investment Review". Investmentreview.com. May 19, 2010. http://www.investmentreview.com/news/europe-can-learn-from-canada-john-major-paul-martin-4345. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
64. ^ Jordan, Pav (July 3, 2009). "World crisis puts Canadian bank mergers out of mind". reuters.com. http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/03/us-finance-mergers-idINTRE5623FR20090703. Retrieved April 15, 2011. 
65. ^ Gilles, Rob (April 10, 2011). "Prime minister nudging Canada to the right – Associated Press". news.yahoo.com. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110410/ap_on_re_ca/cn_harper_s_canada_remake. Retrieved April 15, 2011. "Prime minister nudging Canada to the right" 
66. ^ "NDP to unveil balanced budget platform". Cbc.ca. April 9, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/09/cv-ndp-platform.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
67. ^ ^{a b} "NDP platform 'science fiction,' Ignatieff says". Cbc.ca. April 23, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/04/23/cv-election-saturday-campaign.html. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
68. ^ Taber, Jane (March 30, 2011). "Ignatieff heads to Vancouver pharmacy to unveil another platform plank". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ignatieff-heads-to-vancouver-pharmacy-to-unveil-another-platform-plank/article1962922/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
69. ^ Kirkup, Kristy (March 30, 2011). "Layton announces job creation measures". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/03/30/17804416.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
70. ^ "NDP’s small biz measures a double-edged sword". Money.canoe.ca. March 30, 2011. http://money.canoe.ca/money/business/canada/archives/2011/03/20110330-143448.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
71. ^ ^{a b} "Key election campaign promises so far from the federal parties". Ctv.ca. April 14, 2011. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20110402/key-campaign-election-promises-040102/20110414?s_name=election2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
72. ^ Fowlie, Jonathan (April 7, 2011). "B.C. should keep money even if HST is scrapped: Layton". Vancouversun.com. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/should+keep+money+even+scrapped+Layton/4573179/story.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
73. ^ "Harper has ignored health-care problems: Layton". CBC News. April 6, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/04/06/cv-election-layton-seniors.html. 
74. ^ Austin, Ian (April 7, 2011). "Layton courting B.C. HST haters". Theprovince.com. http://www.theprovince.com/Layton+courting+haters/4573708/story.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
75. ^ Kirkup, Kristy (April 6, 2011). "Layton feeds off HST anger in B.C. | Decision 2011 | News". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/06/17894741.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
76. ^ Carrick, Rob (March 29, 2011). "A wish list for all investors in this year’s election". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/rob-carrick/a-wish-list-for-all-investors-in-this-years-election/article1960511/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
77. ^ "He promised he’d clean up Liberal-style scandals," said Layton. "Instead, he just created new ones." – Federal election called for May 2 – http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-election-called-for-may-2/article1957991/page2/
78. ^ "Layton warns of Tory, Liberal service cuts". CBC News. April 9, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/09/cv-election-layton.html. 
79. ^ Brennan, Richard J. (April 4, 2011). "Layton calls Ignatieff ‘part of the problem'". The Star (Toronto). http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/968602--layton-calls-ignatieff-part-of-the-problem?bn=1. 
80. ^ By JOE BELANGER, The London Free Press (April 5, 2011). "Layton slams Harper over loan dithering | London | News | London Free Press". Lfpress.com. http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/04/04/17871561.html. Retrieved April 17, 2011. 
81. ^ "Voters not connecting the dots". Vancouversun.com. April 25, 2011. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/Voters+connecting+dots/4668930/story.html. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
82. ^ "Harper pledges Senate reform, but without constitutional wrangling". News.nationalpost.com. December 22, 2010. http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/25/harper-lends-support-to-ontario-candidates-facing-ndp-incumbents/. Retrieved April 26, 2011. 
83. ^ Shawn McCarthy and Steven Chase (March 30, 2011). "Harper to back Lower Churchill mega-project in bid for Newfoundland seats". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-to-back-lower-churchill-mega-project-in-bid-for-newfoundland-seats/article1963954/. Retrieved April 2, 2011. 
84. ^ Chase, Steven (April 1, 2011). "Harper pledges to settle multibillion-dollar HST feud with Quebec". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-pledges-to-settle-multibillion-dollar-hst-feud-with-quebec/article1967422/. Retrieved April 1, 2011. 
85. ^ "Michael Ignatieff announces Canadian Learning Passport" (Press release). Liberal.ca. March 29, 2011. http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/michael-ignatieff-announces-canadian-learning-passport/. Retrieved April 25, 2011. 
86. ^ Taber, Jane (March 29, 2011). "Ignatieff calls for immigration ‘fairness commissioner’". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ignatieff-calls-for-immigration-fairness-commissioner/article1962566/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
87. ^ Galloway, Gloria (March 29, 2011). "NDP goes big with health-care ads, accusing Harper of neglect". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-goes-big-with-health-care-ads-accusing-harper-of-neglect/article1961859/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
88. ^ Kirkup, Kristy (April 6, 2011). "Future of health care hinges on election: Layton | Decision 2011 | News". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/news/decision2011/2011/04/06/17901376.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
89. ^ "Layton warns Canadians about Harper's health care – CTV News". Ctv.ca. April 6, 2011. http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SpecialEvent7/20110406/layton-health-care-110406/. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
90. ^ Gloria Galloway (April 6, 2011). "Tories will let health care fail, Layton warns as he rolls out plan in B.C.". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-will-let-health-care-fail-layton-warns-as-he-rolls-out-plan-in-bc/article1973270/. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
91. ^ Brennan, Richard J. (April 6, 2011). "They may be New Democrats but old policies hurt profile". The Star (Toronto). http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/970078--canada-s-health-care-system-in-jeopardy-under-conservatives-layton?bn=1. 
92. ^ CBC News (April 6, 2011). "Liberals target faster rural internet service". CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/06/cv-election-lib-rural.html. Retrieved April 6, 2011. 
93. ^ CBC News (January 20, 2011). "Extra billing for internet use a 'ripoff': NDP". CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2011/01/20/consumer-internet-ndp.html. Retrieved April 6, 2011. 
94. ^ CBC News (April 28, 2011). "Platforms pro-internet, except Conservative: report". CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/28/technology-internet-election-digital-platforms.html. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
95. ^ Galloway, Gloria (March 29, 2011). "Layton vows to cap credit-card rates". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/layton-vows-to-cap-credit-card-rates/article1961191/. Retrieved March 29, 2011. 
96. ^ Leblanc, Daniel; Simon Houpt and Steve Ladurantaye (March 30, 2011). "Broadcasters rule out one-on-one debate between Harper and Ignatieff, confirm May’s exclusion". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/broadcasters-rule-out-one-on-one-debate-between-harper-and-ignatieff-confirm-mays-exclusion/article1964414/. Retrieved March 31, 2011. 
97. ^ "How Canadian: NHL trumps debate". Cbc.ca. April 10, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/10/cv-election-debats-duceppe.html#. Retrieved April 13, 2011. 
98. ^ Burgmann, Tamsyn (March 29, 2011). "Green's Elizabeth May will fight broadcasters' decision to ditch her from debate". The Canadian Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/breakingnews/greens-elizabeth-may-will-fight-broadcasters-decision-to-ditch-her-from-debate-118927234.html. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
99. ^ "Debate over May diverts campaign Harper pushes lower corporate taxes, Layton would raise them, Ignatieff would add to CPP". CBC News. March 30, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/03/30/cv-election.html. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
100. ^ Pynn, Larry; Minsky, Amy (March 30, 2011). "Greens' Elizabeth May, determined to enter debate, prepares legal action". Vancouver Sun and Postmedia News. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Greens+Elizabeth+determined+enter+debate+prepares+legal+action/4529114/story.html. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
101. ^ Leblanc, Daniel (March 30, 2011). "Elizabeth May excluded from election debates". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/elizabeth-may-excluded-from-election-debates/article1962085/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
102. ^ Chase, Steven; Gloria Galloway and Jane Taber (March 30, 2011). "Harper and Ignatieff game for head-to-head debate". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-and-ignatieff-game-for-head-to-head-debate/article1963435/. Retrieved March 30, 2011. 
103. ^ "Ignatieff accepts Rick Mercer debate offer". CBC News. CBC. April 2, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2011/04/02/mercer-ignatieff-harper-cv-election.html. Retrieved April 4, 2011. 
104. ^ Ladurantaye, Steve (April 1, 2011). "Why the TV consortium excluded Elizabeth May". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/why-the-tv-consortium-excluded-elizabeth-may/article1966583/. Retrieved April 5, 2011. 
105. ^ "Judge denies Elizabeth May’s bid to join leaders' debates". The Globe and Mail. CP. April 5, 2011. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/judge-denies-elizabeth-mays-bid-to-join-leaders-debates/article1971474/. Retrieved April 5, 2011. 
106. ^ "How Canadian: NHL trumps debate date". CBC News. CBC. April 10, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/10/cv-election-debats-duceppe.html. Retrieved April 10, 2011. 
107. ^ "CHCH-TV to Broadcast "Elizabeth May, For the Record" Live this Sunday, April 10, 2011 – 8pm ET". CNW. CNW Group. April 8, 2011. http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2011/08/c2709.html. Retrieved April 10, 2011. 
108. ^ Anna Di Carlo (2011-04-18). "The Marxist-Leninist Daily". Cpcml.ca. http://www.cpcml.ca/Tmld2011/D41062.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-14. 
109. ^ Adrian Humphreys (April 5, 2011). "Green Party snubs fringe debate". National Post. http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/05/green-party-snubs-fringe-debate/. 
110. ^ Richard J. Brennan National Affairs Writer (April 9, 2011). NDP fortunes falling fast in latest poll. thestar.com. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/972241--ndp-fortunes-falling-fast-in-latest-poll. Retrieved April 25, 2011. 
111. ^ Gloria Galloway (April 8, 2011). "Layton remains game despite polls showing he's the odd man out". The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/though-chips-look-down-laytons-eager-to-ante-up-for-debates/article1978060. Retrieved April 25, 2011. 
112. ^ Joanna Smith Ottawa Bureau (April 13, 2011). "NDP moves into tie with Liberals: Poll". Toronto: thestar.com. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/976225. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
113. ^ Palmer, Randall (February 14, 2011). "Canada's NDP pushes for bigger place in election sun". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/18/canada-politics-idUSN1822211320110418. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
114. ^ "Layton sees growing Quebec support, targets Liberals". Cbc.ca. April 18, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/18/cv-election-layton-quebec-812.html. Retrieved April 18, 2011. 
115. ^ "Poll shows NDP, Liberals in statistical tie". Ctv.ca. April 22, 2011. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20110422/federal-election-campaign-poll-day-28-110422/20110422?s_name=election2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011. 
116. ^ "Surging NDP support changes campaign dynamic". Cbc.ca. April 21, 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/21/cv-election-ndp-quebec-803.html. Retrieved April 22, 2011. 
117. ^ "Conservatives Lead By Five; NDP Surges Past Liberals". Harris/Decima. April 28, 2011. http://www.harrisdecima.ca/news/releases/201104/1160-conservatives-lead-five-ndp-surges-past-liberals. Retrieved April 28, 2011. 
118. ^ Guttsman, Janet (April 25, 2011). "NDP surges to strong second place in poll". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/25/canada-us-politics-ekos-idCATRE73O5UR20110425. Retrieved April 25, 2011. 
119. ^ EKOS (April 2011). "NDP Breakout Contunues As Everyone Else Spins Wheels". http://www.ekospolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/full_report_april_21_2011.pdf. Retrieved April 23, 2011. 
120. ^ "NDP surge dominates talk on federal campaign trail". Vancouver Sun. April 27, 2011. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/decision-canada/surge+dominates+talk+federal+campaign+trail/4685960/story.html. Retrieved April 27, 2011. 
121. ^ Payton, Laura (August 22, 2011). CBC News. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2011/08/remembering-jack-layton.html. Retrieved August 31, 2011. "The NDP's surging popularity, especially in Quebec, during the last election came to be known as the Orange Crush." 
122. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Elections Canada sets campaign spending limits". Montreal Gazette. April 25, 2011. http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/decision-canada/Elections+Canada+sets+campaign+spending+limits/4672522/story.html. Retrieved May 11, 2011. 

External links

• Elections Canada
• CBC News - Canada Votes 2011
• "Compare the party platforms". The Globe and Mail. April 3, 2011. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/compare-the-party-platforms/article1964156/. Retrieved April 17, 2011.