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1956 Quebec general election

Canadian provincial election


Canadian provincial election

FieldValue
election_name1956 Quebec general election
countryQuebec
typeparliamentary
ongoingno
party_colourno
party_nameno
previous_election1952 Quebec general election
previous_year1952
previous_mps24th Quebec Legislature
next_election1960 Quebec general election
next_year1960
elected_members25th Quebec Legislature
seats_for_election93 seats in the [24th Legislative Assembly of Quebec](24th-legislative-assembly-of-quebec)
47 seats were needed for a majority
election_dateJune 20, 1956
image1Maurice Duplessis.jpg
image1_size180x180px
colour1
leader1Maurice Duplessis
leader_since1June 20, 1936
party1
leaders_seat1Trois-Rivières
last_election168 seats, 50.5%
seats172
seat_change14
percentage151.8%
swing11.3pp
image2Georges-Émile Lapalme.jpg
image2_size180x180px
colour2
leader2Georges-Émile Lapalme
leader_since2May 20, 1950
party2
leaders_seat2Montréal-Outremont
last_election223 seats, 45.77%
seats220
seat_change23
percentage244.87%
swing20.9pp
titlePremier
before_electionMaurice Duplessis
before_party
after_electionMaurice Duplessis
posttitlePremier after election
after_party

47 seats were needed for a majority

The 1956 Quebec general election was held on June 20, 1956, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec, Canada. The incumbent Union Nationale, led by Maurice Duplessis, won re-election, defeating the Quebec Liberal Party, led by Georges-Émile Lapalme.

This was the fifth and final time (and the fourth in a row) that Duplessis led his party to a general election victory. No party has since been able to win more than three elections in a row. Duplessis died in office in 1959.

It was Lapalme's second (and final) loss in a row as Liberal leader. The Liberals did not manage to improve on their performance in the previous 1952 election.

Expansion of the Legislative Assembly and titles

An Act passed in 1954 provided for the creation of the new electoral district of Jonquière-Kénogami for the next election, which was carved out from Chicoutimi and Lac-Saint-Jean. In 1955, a bill was passed designated members of the assembly as Members of Provincial Parliament or MPPs.

Campaign

The Liberals and the Union des électeurs pooled their resources to conduct a joint campaign against the UN in at least 50 ridings. They collaborated to such a degree that in February 1956 the Liberal MPP René Hamel had proposed a motion espousing social credit theory in the Assembly, and a joint rally was held in May 1956 in Shawinigan to mark that event. While the strategy was viewed within the parties as a means to maximize their strength in opposing the UN, the electorate tended to view it as being confusing, while the Montreal Gazette called it "an irresponsible alliance". There were also Liberals in the old guard that wanted the UN to win.

The Liberals supported four UdE and two Nationalist candidates, respectively running as Liberals and Independents, of which none won:

:* on the Social Credit side, there were Réal Caouette (Abitibi-Est), Arthur Marcoux (Beauce), Urbain Lajeunesse (Îles-de-la-Madeleine) and Paul-Eugène Drolet (Portneuf), :* René Chaloult campaigned in the new riding of Jonquière-Kénogami, and came within 320 votes of winning. This would be his last campaign. :* Pierre Laporte, director of the magazine L'Action nationale and previously parliamentary correspondent for Le Devoir, ran in Montréal-Laurier. He would later campaign and win as a Liberal candidate in a 1961 byelection in Chambly.

One observer noted, "The Union Nationale’s strongly entrenched position could not be seriously challenged unless a united front was formed of all opposing groups." The UN chose to campaign on Quebec's right to fiscal autonomy, the party's accomplishments and the future of Ungava, while the Liberals' chances were restrained by their alliance with the UdE (while shutting out the Parti social démocratique), the choice of Chaloult and Laporte not to identify themselves as Liberal candidates, and the party's tendency to side with Ottawa's centralizing policies. The UN correctly assumed that Quebec voters, when given a choice, would prefer a nationalist policy over a social one.

CandidatesTotal
align="center"**UN**align="center"**Lib**
250
320
413
55
62
71
82
Total93

Results

|- ! colspan=2 rowspan=2 | Political party ! rowspan=2 | Party leader ! colspan=4 | MPPs ! colspan=4 | Votes |- ! Candidates 1952 !1956 !± !# ! ± !% ! ± (pp) |93||68||72||4||956,082||108,099||51.80%||1.30 |92||23||20||3||828,264||59,725||44.87%||0.90 |26||–||–||–||11,232||4,807||0.61%||0.35 |32||–||–||–||6,517||2,585||0.35%||0.12

-
7
-
7
-
10
-
3
-
1
-
1
-
! colspan="3" style="text-align:left;"
272
! " colspan="2"
! " colspan="2"
! " colspan="2"
-
28,781
3,133
-
1,874,510
169,599
78.32
2.44
-
2,393,360
146,362
}

Vote and seat summaries

|File:Ternary QC1952.svg |1952 |File:Ternary QC1956.svg |1956

Synopsis of results

RidingWinning partyTurnout
including spoilt ballotsVotesName**[1952](1952-quebec-general-election)**PartyVotesShareMargin
#Margin
%UNLibPSDLab-PrIndI-LibI-UNLabOtherTotal
Abitibi-EstUNUN13,96753.94%2,2008.50%81.31%13,96711,76716025,894
Abitibi-OuestUNLib6,20750.66%1611.31%89.27%6,0466,20712,253
ArgenteuilUNUN7,15355.54%1,42711.08%86.07%7,1535,72612,879
ArthabaskaUNUN10,18954.74%1,7659.48%92.72%10,1898,42418,613
BagotUNUN5,69661.46%2,12422.92%90.76%5,6963,5729,268
BeauceUNUN13,43256.66%3,15813.32%88.52%13,43210,27423,706
BeauharnoisUNUN11,92858.31%3,45016.87%87.96%11,9288,4785020,456
BellechasseUNUN6,24357.89%1,70215.78%82.86%6,2434,54110,784
BerthierUNUN7,12356.17%1,56512.34%90.30%7,1235,55812,681
BonaventureUNLib8,55152.68%8695.35%84.06%7,6828,55116,233
BromeUNLib3,27451.66%2453.87%83.36%3,0293,2746,338
ChamblyUNLib20,03149.43%7671.89%76.45%19,26420,03187715020540,527
ChamplainUNUN12,57958.93%3,81417.87%90.32%12,5798,76521,344
CharlevoixUNUN7,72960.37%2,65520.74%87.17%7,7295,07412,803
ChâteauguayUNUN5,93657.10%1,47714.21%85.59%5,9364,45910,395
ChicoutimiUNUN19,10367.22%9,78834.44%87.25%19,1039,31528,418
ComptonUNLib5,54251.41%4013.72%85.72%5,1415,5429810,781
Deux-MontagnesUNUN8,13372.31%5,16245.90%83.43%8,1332,97114311,247
DorchesterUNUN9,56960.74%3,38521.49%85.40%9,5696,18415,753
DrummondLibUN13,21153.83%1,9287.86%91.52%13,21111,2834724,541
FrontenacLibUN6,45152.12%5244.23%89.65%6,4515,92712,378
Gaspé-NordUNUN4,57450.40%1351.49%84.26%4,5744,439629,075
Gaspé-SudUNUN8,01656.03%1,72612.06%85.67%8,0166,29014,306
GatineauUNUN8,20655.96%1,74811.92%76.32%8,2066,45814,664
HullUNLib10,56445.70%1430.62%83.05%10,42110,564157791,89523,116
HuntingdonUNUN3,27352.33%2914.65%84.69%3,2732,9826,255
IbervilleUNUN3,90357.22%98514.44%88.13%3,9032,9186,821
Îles-de-la-MadeleineUNUN2,59156.72%61413.44%89.09%2,5911,9774,568
Jacques-CartierLibLib31,38555.39%9,09416.05%70.68%22,29131,3852,32266856,666
JolietteUNUN11,50064.88%5,27529.76%86.06%11,5006,22517,725
Jonquière-Kénogami*New*UN11,94650.68%3201.36%88.00%11,94611,62623,572
KamouraskaUNUN6,48958.30%1,84716.59%81.48%6,4894,64211,131
L'AssomptionUNUN7,26055.53%1,44511.05%87.97%7,2605,81513,075
L'IsletUNUN5,32253.25%6496.49%86.54%5,3224,6739,995
LabelleUNUN6,71762.07%2,65824.56%87.41%6,7174,0594610,822
Lac-Saint-JeanUNUN8,54454.49%1,4088.98%92.66%8,5447,13615,680
LavalUNUN50,41753.91%9,2039.84%70.51%50,41741,2141,12976393,523
LavioletteUNUN11,84859.46%3,76918.91%82.94%11,8488,07919,927
LévisLibUN12,22054.30%2,1149.39%90.04%12,22010,1061816122,505
LotbinièreUNUN7,05257.23%1,78114.45%89.41%7,0525,27112,323
MaisonneuveLibUN20,66850.93%2,4696.08%68.96%20,66818,19922717624911994140,579
MaskinongéUNUN5,58857.26%1,41714.52%93.04%5,5884,1719,759
MataneUNUN10,10957.93%2,76915.87%84.28%10,1097,34017,449
MatapédiaUNUN7,20554.66%1,2299.32%86.00%7,2055,97613,181
MéganticUNUN12,12352.50%1,1555.00%92.22%12,12310,96823,091
MissisquoiUNUN7,00156.72%1,65813.43%86.03%7,0015,34312,344
MontcalmUNUN4,58556.67%1,07913.34%89.26%4,5853,5068,091
MontmagnyUNUN6,40355.92%1,35511.83%87.37%6,4035,04811,451
MontmorencyUNUN6,62859.53%2,16519.44%90.72%6,6284,4634311,134
Montréal–Jeanne-ManceLibUN29,07649.76%3,4395.88%66.38%29,07625,6373342392381,798911,02558,438
Montréal-LaurierUNUN17,15460.26%7,49126.31%70.86%17,1549,6631,65228,469
Montréal-MercierUNUN18,16560.03%6,70522.16%65.79%18,16511,4601623838930,259
Montréal–Notre-Dame-de-GrâceLibLib28,17577.44%21,10658.01%55.29%7,06928,17562951036,383
Montréal-OutremontLibLib24,34867.83%14,33139.93%55.80%10,01724,34872680235,893
Montréal–Saint-HenriLibLib17,34451.30%1,9605.80%70.57%15,38417,34423415617251633,806
Montréal–Saint-JacquesUNUN11,20662.36%4,92227.39%63.90%11,2066,28427920017,969
Montréal–Saint-LouisLibLib12,27649.47%2,4619.92%52.88%9,81512,2764256491,65024,815
Montréal–Sainte-AnneIndInd10,52066.01%6,43240.36%60.75%5874,08814516710,52042915,936
Montréal–Sainte-MarieLibUN15,05154.80%3,85314.03%67.93%15,05111,19819517284727,463
Montréal-VerdunLibLib20,17570.12%13,36146.43%64.50%6,81420,1751,78528,774
Napierville-LaprairieUNUN7,86153.81%1,1667.98%89.28%7,8616,6955214,608
NicoletUNUN8,49859.33%2,67318.66%86.53%8,4985,82514,323
PapineauUNUN11,16456.21%2,46712.42%87.78%11,1648,69719,861
PontiacUNUN6,20171.83%3,76943.66%79.30%6,2012,4328,633
PortneufUNUN12,81060.72%4,52321.44%87.52%12,8108,28721,097
Québec-CentreUNUN10,98360.18%3,71520.36%81.48%10,9837,26818,251
Québec-ComtéLibUN21,27256.22%5,04713.34%85.59%21,27216,2256328037,840
Québec-EstLibUN20,17355.47%4,09011.25%85.85%20,17316,08311236,368
Québec-OuestLibLib10,07350.40%1580.79%82.76%9,91510,07319,988
RichelieuLibUN9,55254.28%1,5909.03%89.78%9,5527,962661917,599
RichmondLibLib9,47051.49%7424.03%90.47%8,7289,47019418,392
RimouskiUNLib9,91151.05%4082.10%85.03%9,5039,91119,414
Rivière-du-LoupUNLib8,62351.24%5563.30%87.88%8,0678,62313916,829
RobervalUNUN10,90352.50%1,0385.00%88.94%10,9039,86520,768
RouvilleUNUN5,27752.84%5675.68%87.54%5,2774,7109,987
Rouyn-NorandaUNLib7,56151.16%1,0076.81%84.35%6,5547,56166514,780
SaguenayUNUN10,89958.60%3,19817.19%75.91%10,8997,70118,600
Saint-HyacintheUNLib9,96551.67%6693.47%83.85%9,2969,9652419,285
Saint-JeanUNUN8,27956.17%1,90112.90%85.62%8,2796,378552714,739
Saint-MauriceLibLib13,85151.37%7412.75%90.44%13,11013,85126,961
Saint-SauveurUNUN16,11768.77%8,86237.81%87.43%16,1177,2556423,436
SheffordLibUN11,53453.59%1,6277.56%85.31%11,5349,9078221,523
SherbrookeUNUN16,58855.30%3,43811.46%78.62%16,58813,1507318529,996
StansteadUNUN7,81550.26%810.52%82.63%7,8157,73415,549
TémiscamingueLibUN4,07850.83%1331.66%86.26%4,0783,9458,023
TémiscouataUNUN6,29959.35%1,98518.70%85.36%6,2994,31410,613
TerrebonneUNUN20,98457.57%5,70415.65%85.34%20,98415,2801077736,448
Trois-RivièresUNUN16,26361.73%6,32724.02%88.23%16,2639,936529326,344
Vaudreuil-SoulangesUNUN7,68151.00%3702.46%85.94%7,6817,3117015,062
VerchèresLibUN5,10453.06%6276.52%89.67%5,1044,477399,620
Westmount–Saint-GeorgesLibLib13,80880.05%10,87063.02%51.26%2,93813,80825524817,249
WolfeLibUN4,05850.31%500.62%93.33%4,0584,0088,066
YamaskaUNUN4,73666.22%2,32032.44%85.90%4,7362,4167,152

: = open seat : = turnout is above provincial average : = winning candidate was in previous Legislature : = incumbent had switched allegiance : = not incumbent; was previously elected to the Legislature : = incumbency arose from byelection gain : = previously incumbent in another riding : = other incumbents renominated : = UdE candidates under the Liberal banner : = Nationalist candidates supported by the Liberals : = multiple candidates

Analysis

Party in 1st placeParty in 2nd placeTotalUNLibInd
70272
2020
11
Total2071293
Parties1st2nd3rd4th5thTotal
7220193
207192
12216
166224
1311529
5319
325
1113
11
11
SourcePartyTotal
align="center"**UN**align="center"**Lib**align="center"**Ind**
Seats retainedIncumbents returned55
Open seats held31
Seats changing handsIncumbents defeated9
Incumbents defeated - previous incumbents returned3
Open seats gained14
New ridingsNew MPP elected1
**Total**7220

References

References

  1. Leslie Roberts. (1963). "The Chief: A Political Biography of Maurice Duplessis". Clarke, Irwin.
  2. {{Cite canlaw. (1953-54)
  3. (November 17, 1955). "Débats de l'Assemblée législative".
  4. . (June 15, 1956). ["Relations entre Libéraux et Créditistes"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z8YpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DkYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1836%2C1787241). *Vers Demain*.
  5. . (June 18, 1956). ["An irresponsible alliance"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3notAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6929%2C3457335). *[[Montreal Gazette]]*.
  6. Arkison, Wilbur. (June 21, 1956). "Liberals Gain 9 Seats - But Lose 13". [[Montreal Gazette]].
  7. . (June 21, 1956). ["The extremists were repudiated"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4XotAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4837%2C4153492). *[[Montreal Gazette]]*.
  8. . (June 21, 1956). ["Les candidats créditistes tous défaits"](https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2875173). *[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)*.
  9. . (July 15, 1956). ["La campagne électorale aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0cYpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DkYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1850%2C1875634). *Vers Demain*.
  10. . (June 1, 1956). ["La manifestation du 6 mai à Shawinigan"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zsYpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DkYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1830%2C1774092). *Vers Demain*.
  11. Drouilly, Pierre. (December 4, 2017). "Élections québécoises de 1956". Atlas des élections au Québec.
  12. . ["Les membres de l'Assemblée nationale par circonscription"](https://www.assnat.qc.ca/fr/patrimoine/depcir/index.html). *[[National Assembly of Quebec]]*.
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