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Conservative Party
of Canada
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2003 merger of old Progressive Conservative
Party (based in the east and fiscally conservative but socially not) and the
Canadian Alliance (based in the west and socially and fiscally
conservative). 2004 Federal Election
won 29.6% of the votes and 99 seats in the House of Commons (total 308)
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Liberal Party
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In power since 1993. First under Jean Chretien and now under
Paul Martin. Moderate left/center
party. 2004 election won 36.7% vote
and 134 seats. Minority
government. How is that possible?
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New Democratic Party
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Social democratic reformist party. Has never had government nationally and has
been less important nationally since the early 1990s. Has held national balance of power and in provinces
has been official opposition or even in government in several. Is the party organized labor supports but
in 2005 the Saskatchewan NDP government has had a falling out with the unions
which have withdrawn their support.
Similarly, in Ontario in 1995 the unions withdrew their support from
the NDP government which then lost and the right-wing government that
replaced it passed anti-union legislation.
2004 15.7% of votes and 19 seats
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Bloc Quebecois
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In power in province of Quebec since 1994
(and earlier). Party supporting
autonomy or even independence for Quebec.
2004 12.4% of votes and 54 seats
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2004 also two
independents in Parliament
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