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1988 Federal Election in Canada
Free trade with the United States had been rejected by Canadians
in the 1911 election. Since that time, politicians had stayed
away from the issue, but in 1988 Brian Mulroney’s Conservatives
felt the time was right to start free-trade negotiations with
the Americans. The free trade debates, combined with efforts
at constitutional reform, made the 1988 election very emotionally-charged.
The climax of the election would come at the Leaders’ Debate,
with Turner and Mulroney taking turns accusing each other of
being unpatriotic and of “selling out” Canada. Once
again, Canadians were called upon to decide whether free trade
was right for their country, and this time they decided it was.
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- Economic recession, constitutional initiatives, and a free
trade negotiation with the USA would set the stage for
this election.
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- The internal division of the Liberals contrasted sharply
with the united policy platform of the Conservatives.
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- The personal animosity between Brian Mulroney and John Turner
would be an important factor in this campaign.
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- Free trade became the sole issue, and other factors such
as constitutional reform took a back seat.
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- The emotional, intense leaders’ debate took centre
stage in this campaign.
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- The Conservatives regained their majority government, with
solid support in Quebec and the West.
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- Canadians were asked to question their patriotism and national
pride as they made the momentous decision to accept free
trade with the USA.
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- Learn more about the 1988 election.
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