In 1987, New Brunswick voters executed the rarest political wipeout in Canadian history
In short: On October 13, 1987, the Liberal Party of New Brunswick achieved a feat nearly unheard of in Canadian democracy: they secured every single seat in the provincial legislature. This total sweep left the incumbent Progressive Conservatives with zero representation, marking a dramatic end to the long tenure of premier Richard Hatfield.
The 1987 election was defined by the collapse of Richard Hatfield, who had led the province since 1970. His popularity, once robust, eroded during his final term due to a series of scandals that dominated media coverage. In 1984, police discovered marijuana in his luggage during a royal visit by Queen Elizabeth II, leading to charges for which he was eventually acquitted. Further allegations regarding his private life and his frequent use of government aircraft for personal trips to New York City night clubs—which earned him the moniker Disco Dick—severely damaged his public standing.
Internal party stability also fractured. By 1985, three members of the legislature from the Saint John area attempted to challenge Hatfield’s leadership following Liberal gains in by-elections. Despite this internal revolt, Hatfield remained in control and delayed the general election until the final constitutional limit, hoping for a recovery. When the vote finally occurred on October 13, 1987, the result was a total electoral rout. The Liberals, led by Frank McKenna, captured all 58 available seats, leaving the Progressive Conservatives with nothing.
The scale of this victory was historic. It remains one of only four instances in Canadian history where a governing party was completely wiped out, joining the 1935 Prince Edward Island election, the 1935 Alberta election, and the 2026 Quebec election. Hatfield himself was defeated in his own riding by Liberal candidate Allison DeLong, who won by a margin of 19 percentage points. Following the loss, Hatfield accepted full responsibility and resigned that same evening from his home in Hartland, as his supporters departed in the face of the overwhelming results.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 1987 New Brunswick general election
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-1987-new-brunswick-general-election.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Land relief · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
