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1943 Ontario general election

Canadian provincial election


Canadian provincial election

FieldValue
election_name1943 Ontario general election
countryOntario
flag_year1921
typeparliamentary
ongoingno
party_colourno
party_nameno
previous_election1937 Ontario general election
previous_year1937
previous_mps20th Legislative Assembly of Ontario
next_election1945 Ontario general election
next_year1945
elected_mps21st Legislative Assembly of Ontario
seats_for_election90 seats in the [21st Legislative Assembly of Ontario](21st-legislative-assembly-of-ontario)
46 seats were needed for a majority
image_size150x150px
election_dateAugust 4, 1943
image1GeorgeDrew.jpg
colour1
leader1George Drew
leader_since1[December 9, 1938](1938-conservative-party-of-ontario-leadership-election)
party1
leaders_seat1High Park
last_election123
seats138
seat_change115
percentage135.7%
swing14.3pp
image2Ted jolliffe 1942.jpg
colour2
leader2Ted Jolliffe
leader_since2April 3, 1942
party2
leaders_seat2York South
last_election20
seats234
seat_change234
percentage231.7%
swing226.1pp
image3Harry Nixon MLA.jpg
colour3
leader3Harry Nixon
leader_since3April 30, 1943
party3
leaders_seat3Brant
last_election363
seats315
seat_change348
percentage331.2%
swing320.4pp
titlePremier
posttitlePremier after election
before_electionHarry Nixon
before_party
after_electionGeorge Drew
after_party

46 seats were needed for a majority |}} The 1943 Ontario general election was held on August 4, 1943, to elect the 90 Members of the 21st Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Members of Provincial Parliament, or "MPPs") of the province of Ontario.

Background

Because of the outbreak of war, the Legislative Assembly had passed Acts in 1942 and 1943 to defer the calling of a general election. The latter extension had received royal assent in April 1943, but Premier Harry Nixon came into office the following month and opted to call an earlier election on June 30, 1943, for August 4, 1943. Noting that the last extension had been vigorously opposed by the Progressive Conservative opposition, he said, "We know of no precedent in the British Empire where a parliament extended its own life against an opposition vote."

Campaign

CandidatesTotal
align="center"**PC**align="center"**CCF**
23
375
49
53
Total90

Outcome

The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, led by George Drew, defeated the Ontario Liberal Party government. The Liberal government had disintegrated over the previous two years because of a conflict between Mitchell Hepburn, the Ontario caucus and the federal Liberal Party of Canada.

Hepburn resigned and was eventually succeeded by Harry Nixon in early 1943. The change in leadership was not enough to save the government. The election held later that year resulted in the Conservative Party, recently renamed the "Progressive Conservative Party", winning a minority government. This began forty-two uninterrupted years of government by the Tories who combined moderate progressive policies with pragmatism and caution.

The Liberals fell to third place behind a new force, the socialist Ontario Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), led by Ted Jolliffe, went from obscurity to form the Official Opposition, winning 32% of the vote and 34 seats in the legislature, just four short of Drew's Tories. The Liberals and their Liberal-Progressive allies fell from 66 seats to a mere 15.

Two members of the banned Communist Party of Ontario running as "Labour" candidates won seats in the Legislature for the first time in this election: A.A. MacLeod in the Toronto riding of Bellwoods, and J.B. Salsberg in the Toronto riding of St. Andrews. Several days following the election the Labor-Progressive Party was officially formed and Salsberg and MacLeod agreed to sit in the legislature as the party's representatives.

The Legislature's first two female MPPs were elected in 1943:

PartyMPPRiding
CCF[[File:Rae Luckock, MPP for Bracondale.webp100px]]
CCF[[File:Miss Agnes McPhail, M.P 1934.jpg100px]]

Results

Vote and seat summaries

|File:Ternary ON1937.svg |1937 |File:Ternary ON1943.svg |1943

Synopsis of results

RidingWinning partyTurnout
including spoilt ballotsVotesNameorder is as given in EO reports**[1937](1937-ontario-general-election)**PartyVotesShareMargin
#Margin
%PCCCFLibLabInd-LibIndOtherTotal
AddingtonConPC5,62851.36%1,75215.99%73.55%5,6281,4533,87610,957
Algoma—ManitoulinLibLib3,75539.03%7297.58%63.52%2,8393,0263,7559,620
BrantLibLib5,74556.79%3,50534.65%52.48%2,2402,1315,74510,116
BrantfordInd-LibCCF5,32739.73%1,0457.79%61.93%3,8005,3274,28213,409
BruceLibLib5,06638.51%760.58%64.34%4,9903,1005,06613,156
CarletonConPC5,79654.79%2,52223.84%51.98%5,7961,5083,27410,578
Cochrane NorthLibCCF3,70946.18%4145.16%74.91%1,0273,7093,2958,031
Cochrane South*LibCCF12,99557.01%7,40032.46%67.37%4,20512,9955,59522,795
Dufferin—SimcoeConPC5,13449.79%2,51324.37%48.90%5,1342,5572,62110,312
DurhamLibPC4,41240.70%2862.64%67.13%4,4122,3034,12610,841
ElginLibInd-Lib6,87950.66%2,60519.19%57.30%4,2742,4256,87913,578
Essex NorthLibCCF7,99953.59%4,84632.46%58.65%2,4057,9993,1531,21315714,927
Essex SouthLibPC3,94041.51%1321.39%49.25%3,9401,7433,8089,491
Fort William*ConCCF8,70160.36%5,62038.98%66.56%3,0818,7012,63414,416
GlengarryLibLib4,49559.60%1,93425.64%54.15%2,5614864,4957,542
Grenville—DundasConPC6,82964.92%3,13929.84%48.65%6,8293,69010,519
Grey NorthL-PLib4,82637.52%3852.99%65.35%4,4413,5964,82612,863
Grey SouthUFOLib5,61750.46%2,26620.36%63.96%3,3512,1645,61711,132
Haldimand—NorfolkLibPC7,86844.90%7914.51%61.62%7,8682,5777,07717,522
HaltonL-PPC4,47438.51%8327.16%58.89%4,4743,3913,64211111,618
Hamilton EastLibCCF6,73934.35%1,0795.50%61.82%5,6606,7394,8212,39719,617
Hamilton CentreLibCCF8,59247.30%3,57819.70%54.23%5,0148,5924,56018,166
Hamilton—WentworthLibCCF6,43336.27%5833.29%64.19%5,8506,4335,45317,736
Hastings East*ConPC4,71551.55%1,41415.46%65.53%4,7151,1303,3019,146
Hastings WestConPC6,53047.91%2,42317.78%60.85%6,5302,9944,10713,631
HuronLibPC4,88944.00%4704.23%63.64%4,8891,8034,41911,111
Huron—Bruce*LibPC4,58838.00%1561.29%66.98%4,5883,0534,43212,073
KenoraLibCCF4,89151.77%1,86119.70%70.39%1,5274,8913,0309,448
Kent EastL-PPC6,80058.23%1,92316.47%71.48%6,8004,87711,677
Kent WestLibLib7,96952.00%2,57516.80%56.19%5,3941,9637,96915,326
Kingston*ConPC6,55546.49%1,3809.79%60.82%6,5552,3705,17514,100
Lambton EastLibLib4,52047.34%7788.15%55.41%3,7421,2854,5209,547
Lambton WestLibCCF4,96735.14%3372.38%68.34%4,5374,9674,63014,134
LanarkConPC7,12655.95%3,24225.46%62.15%7,1261,7263,88412,736
LeedsConPC7,66651.52%2,28415.35%67.00%7,6661,8335,38214,881
Lincoln*LibPC10,13941.46%2,70111.04%62.59%10,1397,4386,88024,457
LondonLibPC10,31240.65%2,3609.30%61.20%10,3127,9527,10325,367
Middlesex NorthLibPC4,67039.00%7806.51%62.32%4,6703,4143,89011,974
Middlesex SouthLibPC5,31348.13%1,0449.46%57.80%5,3131,4584,26911,040
Muskoka—OntarioLibLib4,21934.84%880.73%56.59%4,1313,7594,21912,109
Niagara FallsLibCCF7,51945.76%2,46214.98%61.66%3,8567,5195,05716,432
NipissingLibCCF5,64240.75%1,63711.82%60.90%2,3275,6424,0051,87113,845
NorthumberlandLibPC7,41253.45%2,13615.40%68.92%7,4121,1785,27613,866
Ontario*LibCCF8,74544.07%3,17015.97%64.58%5,5258,7455,57519,845
Ottawa EastLibLib11,00474.70%8,19355.62%43.03%2,81111,00491614,731
Ottawa SouthConPC11,87043.94%2,5599.47%46.69%11,8705,5799,31125227,012
OxfordLibPC7,20741.73%1,4618.46%58.22%7,2074,3195,74617,272
Parry SoundLibCCF4,22140.90%8898.61%61.36%2,7684,2213,33210,321
PeelConPC7,10150.27%3,33123.58%62.15%7,1013,2543,77014,125
PerthLibLib7,56339.29%180.09%59.20%7,5454,1437,56319,251
PeterboroughLibPC6,88438.82%8004.51%61.99%6,8844,7636,08417,731
Port ArthurLibCCF7,92954.28%3,91926.83%73.97%2,6687,9294,01014,607
PrescottLibLib5,29155.72%1,61417.00%61.42%5283,6775,2919,496
Prince Edward—LennoxConPC5,86352.64%1,30711.74%60.40%5,8637184,55611,137
Rainy RiverLibCCF2,60039.37%5748.69%69.59%1,9782,6002,0266,604
Renfrew NorthLibPC4,18540.82%6065.91%69.61%4,1852,4893,57910,253
Renfrew SouthLibLib4,92153.80%6957.60%58.66%4,2264,9219,147
RussellLibLib4,09256.50%1,99627.56%42.02%2,0961,0544,0927,242
Sault Ste. MarieLibCCF7,17355.70%4,10431.87%65.09%2,6377,1733,06912,879
Simcoe CentreLibPC4,17641.99%5845.87%55.51%4,1762,1773,5929,945
Simcoe EastConPC4,76643.76%1,62214.89%59.42%4,7662,9803,14410,890
StormontLibPC5,86042.45%6864.97%64.72%5,8602,7725,17413,806
SudburyLibCCF15,16959.89%7,58729.96%68.43%1,06215,1697,5821,51325,326
TemiskamingLibCCF5,21954.18%2,37024.60%71.97%1,5655,2192,8499,633
VictoriaConPC6,98557.36%2,94324.17%62.15%6,9851,1504,04212,177
Waterloo NorthLibCCF7,57041.10%1,1156.05%49.76%4,3927,5706,45518,417
Waterloo SouthLibCCF6,83145.62%1,95813.08%58.13%3,2696,8314,87314,973
WellandLibCCF8,25647.35%3,23918.58%59.73%4,1638,2565,01717,436
Wellington NorthLibLib5,55648.82%1,35811.93%56.64%4,1981,6265,55611,380
Wellington SouthLibCCF4,75338.75%8486.91%59.76%3,9054,7533,60712,265
WentworthLibCCF9,96351.21%4,68024.05%58.73%5,2839,9634,21019,456
Windsor—WalkervilleLibCCF6,71144.24%2,37715.67%58.41%4,1246,7114,33415,169
Windsor—SandwichLibCCF6,45543.51%1,3328.98%50.63%5,1236,4553,25614,834
York EastConCCF13,38445.47%1,7405.91%52.30%11,64413,3844,41029,438
York NorthLibCCF6,26636.25%5313.07%56.94%5,7356,2665,28317,284
York SouthConCCF11,02449.32%2,48411.11%48.09%8,54011,0242,78822,352
York WestLibCCF10,72042.05%1,3085.13%53.77%9,41210,7205,36425,496
BeachesConPC6,92643.75%420.27%59.02%6,9266,8842,02115,831
Bellwoods*LibLab4,31230.37%5263.70%53.58%3,7862,6813,4204,31214,199
BracondaleLibCCF4,68138.56%2862.36%49.88%4,3954,6812,76529812,139
DovercourtConPC7,26543.47%2,00211.98%49.39%7,2655,2632,6181,56616,712
EglintonLibPC13,83250.23%6,88725.01%59.15%13,8326,7596,94527,536
High Park*ConPC7,95341.83%4662.45%59.33%7,9537,4873,42214919,011
ParkdaleConPC9,25644.58%2,08610.05%55.22%9,2567,1704,33920,765
RiverdaleConCCF7,64044.15%2181.26%49.15%7,4227,6402,24417,306
St. AndrewLibLab7,57653.13%5,07135.56%56.44%2,5051,8112,3687,57614,260
St. DavidLibCCF5,67841.11%6194.48%55.13%5,0595,6783,07413,811
St. George*LibPC7,20546.81%2,76417.96%49.46%7,2054,4413,31616027115,393
St. PatrickLibPC4,69443.71%1,61615.05%52.33%4,6943,0782,96710,739
WoodbineConCCF8,84847.92%1,6168.75%54.10%7,2328,8482,38518,465

** - seat was vacant when election called*

: = open seat : = turnout is above provincial average : = winning candidate was in previous Legislature : = incumbent switched allegiance for the election : = incumbency arose from byelection gain : = previously incumbent in another riding : = other incumbents renominated : = previously an MP in the House of Commons of Canada : = multiple candidates

Analysis

Party in 1st placeParty in 2nd placeTotalPCCCFLib
83038
151934
13215
22
11
Total31104990
Parties1st2nd3rd4th5thTotal
383120190
341040286
15492589
22
1214
213
213
22
112
11

Seats that changed hands

Party1937Gain from (loss to)1943PCCCFLibLbr-PI-LibL-ProUFO
23(5)19
5281
63(19)(28)(2)(1)
2
1(1)1
2(1)(1)
1(1)
**Total**905(20)(34)50(2)(2)1

There were 58 seats that changed allegiance in the election.

PC to CCF

  • Fort William
  • Riverdale
  • Woodbine
  • York East
  • York South

Liberal to PC

  • Durham
  • Eglinton
  • Essex South
  • Haldimand—Norfolk
  • Halton
  • Huron
  • Huron—Bruce
  • Lincoln
  • London
  • Middlesex North
  • Middlesex South
  • Northumberland
  • Oxford
  • Peterborough
  • Renfrew North
  • Simcoe Centre
  • St. George
  • St. Patrick
  • Stormont

Liberal to CCF

  • Bracondale
  • Cochrane North
  • Cochrane South
  • Essex North
  • Hamilton Centre
  • Hamilton East
  • Hamilton—Wentworth
  • Kenora
  • Lambton West
  • Niagara Falls
  • Nipissing
  • Ontario
  • Parry Sound
  • Port Arthur
  • Rainy River
  • Sault Ste. Marie
  • St. David
  • Sudbury
  • Timiskaming
  • Waterloo North
  • Waterloo South
  • Welland
  • Wellington South
  • Wentworth
  • Windsor—Sandwich
  • Windsor—Walkerville
  • York North
  • York West

Liberal to Labor-Progressive

  • Bellwoods
  • St. Andrew

Liberal to Independent-Liberal

  • Elgin

Independent-Liberal to CCF

  • Brantford

Liberal-Progressive to PC

  • Kent East

Liberal-Progressive to Liberal

  • Grey North

UFO to Liberal

  • Grey South
SourcePartyTotal
align="center"**PC**align="center"**CCF**align="center"**Lib**
Seats retainedIncumbents returned13
Open seats held (vacant)3
Open seats held (other)2
Incumbent changed allegiance
Seats changing handsIncumbents defeated13
Open seats gained (vacant)33
Open seats gained (other)47
Ouster of byelection gain by third party1
**Total**3834

References

References

  1. "1943 General Election".
  2. {{Cite canlaw. (1942)
  3. {{Cite canlaw. (1943)
  4. . (July 1, 1943). ["Premier Nixon Announces Date of Provincial Vote. Nominations to Be Held on July 28. Ontario Legislature Dissolved."](https://www.newspapers.com/image/456512535/). *[[Ottawa Citizen]]*.
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