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Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
19.10.2015
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
02.08.2015
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
30.09.2025
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
308
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
1,792
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
1,256
Number of female candidates Number of female candidates
536
Percentage of women candidates The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
29.91%
Number of parties contesting the election This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
23

Voter turnout

Registration Number of people registered to vote
26,044,131
Votes Number of people who actually voted
17,711,983
Voter turnout The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
68.01%

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
The Liberal Party, led by Mr. Justin Trudeau - a son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau - won an outright majority in the enlarged 338-member House of Commons, thereby denying a fourth term to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party. The Liberal Party - which was only the third largest party in the outgoing legislature - increased its share of seats from 11% to 54%. On the contrary, the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Mr. Thomas Mulcair, saw its share of seats reduced from 33% to 13% and came in third. A record 10 indigenous people entered the House of Commons, up from seven in the 2011 elections. Mr. Harper conceded defeat and resigned as party leader. The 43-year-old new Prime Minister immediately announced that Canada would withdraw its fighter jets from the US-led mission against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. His Cabinet, composed equally of men and women, was sworn in on 4 November.

The 2015 elections saw a record 78-day campaigning period , the longest in Canada since 1872. During the election campaign, the major parties focused on the economy, taxation and the budget. Prime Minister Harper promised low taxes, balanced budgets and more austerity. Liberal leader Trudeau said he would run a budget deficit to invest more in the country's economy.
Number of parties winning seats The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
5
Percentage of parties winning seats The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
21.74%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
59.74%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Number of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
Names of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Liberal Party
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
Liberal Party 184
Conservative Party 99
New Democratic Party (NDP) 44
Bloc Québécois (BQ) 10
Green Party 1
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
250
Number of women elected
88
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
28.57%
Other notes
Expected date of next elections: 21 October 2019. Subject to an earlier dissolution of Parliament, a general election must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the last general election.
Sources
Parliament (12.11.2015, 03.12.2015, 01.01.2017, 10.01.2018, 24.01.2019)
Report on the 42nd General Election of October 19, 2015
Library of Parliament, PARLINFO
House of Commons
Elections Canada
The globe and mail

New legislature

First-term parliamentarians The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
197
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
03.12.2015
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Geoff Regan (Male)
Political party
Liberal Party
Date of election
03.12.2015