Canada at War: POLITICS: A Lively Parliament

With only straggling general election returns still to come (some had to be brought by canoe from polls in the far north), the new Canadian Parliament’s 245 seats were divided, at week’s end, like this: 128 Liberals (including seven “Independent Liberals” from Quebec), 67 Progressive Conservatives, 28 CCFers, 13 Social Crediters, six Independents, two Bloc Populaire, one Labor Progressive (Communist).* It meant that the 20th Parliament will be livelier than its predecessor.

The election left Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and his Liberals conveniently in the middle of the road: when policy puts him under attack from the Tory, right, he can expect support from the CCF left—and vice versa. But the combined opposition is now strong enough to do some boat-rocking. No longer would the minority parties be prone to sit by, as grandstand critics, making noises solely for the record, taking little responsibility. With the Liberal Government’s former whopping majority cut to a minimum, there would be closer scrutiny of legislation, more informed and useful debate. The Liberals would now have to mind their political knitting. Out would go the complacency that goes with a top-heavy majority.

One of the toughest problems ahead was Dominion-Provincial relations: how should control of such matters as taxation, national health legislation, natural resources be divided between Ottawa and the Provinces? Before the issues could be settled, it might be necessary to rewrite Canada’s Constitution. Another problem was housing. The present acute shortage, aggravated by the return of servicemen, was not just a by-product of war; it was the result of almost 15 years during which there had been almost no new building. The war against Japan was still to be won. Reconstruction and reconversion were just beginning.

To cope with such problems as these, Mr. King might soon streamline his Cabinet. Possible changes: i) merging of the Ministries of Air, Defense and Navy into one new Ministry; 2) consolidation of the Ministries of Finance and of Revenue.

* The Liberals got 1,810,000 votes, the Progressive Conservatives 1,300,000, the CCF 670,000 (277,000 more than in 1940). Minor parties got the rest.