Hennessy's Index: A number is never just a number

Hennessy's Index is a monthly listing of numbers, written by the CCPA's Trish Hennessy, about Canada and its place in the world. Scroll down for a PDF version.  For other months, visit: http://policyalternatives.ca/index

• 1918

  The year women secured the right to vote in Canada. 1944 France. 2005 Kuwait. (Source 1 and Source 2)

• 1947

  The year Chinese Canadians secured the right to vote. (Source)

• 1960
  

  The year non-enfranchised Aboriginal peoples in Canada secured the right to vote. (Source)

• 73.1

  Percentage of Canadians who voted in 1867 federal election: year of confederation. (Source)

• Two Parties

  Choice in 1867 federal election: Conservatives 50%. Liberals 49%. (Source)

• 74.2
  

  Percentage of Canadians who voted in 1935 federal election: mid-Great Depression. (Source)

• 75.3

  Percentage of Canadians who voted in 1945 federal election: end of Second World War. (Source)

• 79.4

  Percentage of Canadians who voted in 1958 federal election: John Diefenbaker’s Conservative government secured one of largest majorities in Canadian history. (Source 1 and Source 2)

• 75.7

  Percentage of Canadians who voted in 1968 federal election: Trudeaumania. (Source)

• 75.3

  Percentage of Canadians who voted in1988 federal election: free trade. (Source)

• Five Parties

  Choice in the 2008 federal election: Conservative, Liberals, NDP, Bloc, Greens. (Source)

• 58.8

  Percentage of Canadians who voted in the 2008 federal election. Historical low. (Source)