That’s not true either. The current Conservative party, the one that held power under Harper, is not the same party as the previous “conservative” Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney. The “progressive Conservative” party essentially ceased to exist early 2000s, and the Conservative Party of today is essentially the Reform party founded in 1988, had a few name changes along the way. Yes, at one point they absorbed what was left of the PCs, when Reform had like 50 seats and the PCs maybe 3. Anyways, that’s 3 parties that have formed government, and at least 6 that have reached 2nd largest/official opposition at various times.
Canada has 5 significant federal political parties
Conservatives (right) Liberals (center right) NDP (center left) Bloc Quebecois (regionalist) Green (Environmental)
Only Conservatives and liberals have ever formed government but NDP and Bloq have both formed official opposition and held the balance of power.
That’s not true either. The current Conservative party, the one that held power under Harper, is not the same party as the previous “conservative” Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney. The “progressive Conservative” party essentially ceased to exist early 2000s, and the Conservative Party of today is essentially the Reform party founded in 1988, had a few name changes along the way. Yes, at one point they absorbed what was left of the PCs, when Reform had like 50 seats and the PCs maybe 3. Anyways, that’s 3 parties that have formed government, and at least 6 that have reached 2nd largest/official opposition at various times.
It only happens to work a bit because of strong regionalism. I also wouldn’t count the green party as a serious party.