The 1874 Canadian federal election was held on January 22, 1874, to elect members of the House of Commons of Canada of the 3rd Parliament of Canada. Sir John A. Macdonald, who had recently been forced out of office as prime minister, and his Conservatives were defeated by the Liberal Party under their new leader Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie.

Quick Facts 206 seats in the House of Commons 104 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...

1874 Canadian federal election

← 1872 January 22, 1874 1878 →
← outgoing members elected members →
206 seats in the House of Commons 104 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	69.6%[1] (0.7pp)
First party Second party   Leader Alexander Mackenzie John A. Macdonald Party Liberal Conservative Leader since March 6, 1873 July 1, 1867 Leader's seat Lambton Kingston Last election 95 seats, 34.7% 100 seats, 38.7% Seats won 129 65 Seat change 35 35 Popular vote 128,455 97,925 Percentage 39.5% 30.1% Swing 4.8% 8.6%
1874 Canadian electoral map
The Canadian parliament after the 1874 election
Prime Minister before election Alexander Mackenzie Liberal Prime Minister after election Alexander Mackenzie Liberal

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Macdonald's government had been forced to resign on November 5, 1873, because of allegations of corruption relating to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (see the Pacific Scandal). The Liberals under Mackenzie formed a government two days later with an election called for January. The Tories were unable to recover from the scandal and lost the election as a result.

The election was the first general election after Prince Edward Island's entry into Confederation, and the first to use secret ballots in Canada.

Notes:

¹ Liberal-Conservatives sat with the Conservative caucus in the House of Commons.

Acclamations

The following Members of Parliament were elected by acclamation;

• Ontario: 1 Liberal-Conservative, 13 Liberals
• Quebec: 10 Conservatives, 4 Liberal-Conservatives, 15 Liberals
• New Brunswick: 1 Conservative, 3 Liberals, 1 Independent Liberal
• Nova Scotia: 5 Liberals
• Prince Edward Island: 2 Liberals

• List of Canadian federal general elections