Overview

The 2015 Canadian federal election, formally the 42nd Canadian general election, was held on October 19, 2015 to choose members of the House of Commons and, indirectly, the country’s next Prime Minister. The election was called in August when writs were issued by the Governor General David Johnston. The campaign ran unusually long by modern Canadian standards and culminated in a major change in government.

Major parties and leaders

The principal national parties included the incumbent Conservative Party led by then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the New Democratic Party (NDP), the Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau, the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, and the Green Party. Voters cast ballots to elect Members of Parliament to the House of Commons, whose composition determines who commands the confidence of the House and serves as Prime Minister of Canada.

Campaign themes and dynamics

The campaign mixed debates over economic management, middle-class affordability, infrastructure spending, public services and national security. The Liberals offered a platform focused on stimulating growth through infrastructure investment and supporting the middle class; the Conservatives emphasized fiscal management and continuity; the NDP campaigned on progressive social and economic measures. Regional dynamics—urban versus rural, and distinct patterns in Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and the Prairies—shaped how support translated into seats.

Results

The election produced a decisive victory for the Liberal Party, which won 184 seats and enough seats to form a majority government. The Conservative Party became the official opposition with 99 seats, and the NDP fell to third place with 44 seats. Smaller parties, including the Bloc Québécois and the Green Party, won a smaller number of seats. Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister and was sworn in on November 4, 2015.

Consequences and significance

  • The result ended nearly a decade of Conservative federal government and returned the Liberals to majority power.
  • The change in government brought a new policy agenda and cabinet composition; the incoming administration emphasized infrastructure spending and a focus on the middle class.
  • The outcome also prompted leadership changes and strategic reassessments within parties that lost ground.

Notable facts

The 2015 campaign was notable for its length, for being an attempt by an incumbent prime minister to remain in office into a fourth consecutive Parliament, and for the scale of the Liberal comeback from third place in the previous election to a parliamentary majority. The result shaped Canadian politics for the subsequent parliamentary term and reoriented policy debates on issues such as spending priorities and electoral strategy.

For fuller official records and riding-by-riding returns consult the appropriate parliamentary and electoral resources.Further details on the majority government.