FULL STORY: CANADA - Unprecedented gains for Canada's New Democrats SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL 6 May 2011

FRANÇAIS ESPAÑOL   CANADA Unprecedented gains for Canada s New Democrats 06 MAY 2011 Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) has recorded impressive gains in the country’s Federal Election, winning the largest number of seats in its 50-year history.... More

FRANÇAIS ESPAÑOL   CANADA Unprecedented gains for Canada s New Democrats 06 MAY 2011 Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) has recorded impressive gains in the country’s Federal Election, winning the largest number of seats in its 50-year history. Although Stephen Harper’s Conservatives remain in government following the 2 May poll, the New Democrats, lead by Jack Layton, will form the official opposition for the first time since the party was founded in 1961. The result represents a seismic shift in Canada’s political landscape, giving the social democratic party increased influence, legitimacy and profile, while revealing an increasingly polarised Canadian electorate. In total, the Conservatives won 39. 6% of the popular vote – 167 seats of a possible 308 – while the NDP took 102, 59 more than the party’s best ever tally of 43 in 1988. In terms of number of seats held, the NDP represents the strongest opposition to a serving government since 1993, although Harper Less