Two of Canada’s most ideologically left-wing political parties recorded small increases in voter support during Monday’s federal election but remained far from electing a member of Parliament.Blacklock's Reporter says the Communist Party of Canada grew its national vote total by 15% to 5,419 ballots, a slight improvement over its 2021 result. Leader Elizabeth Rowley, a Toronto-based writer, described the campaign as significant, particularly in the face of what she called aggressive interference from U.S. interests. “While Trump’s tariffs, endorsements and threats of annexation are the greatest foreign interference ever seen in a Canadian election, they also expose the rot and violence of U.S. imperialism as it moves towards fascism,” said Rowley.The Communist platform included a call to tax all capital gains and encouraged voters to consider alternatives outside the political mainstream. “Let Canadians know what the options are, all the options,” Rowley said during the campaign. The party had aimed to secure representation in Parliament, stating that “the election of even one Communist can help stop the drive to the right.”The last known Communist MP was Fred Rose, elected in a 1943 byelection in Cartier, Quebec. Rose was later convicted of spying for the Soviet Union and served five years in prison.The Marxist-Leninist Party also saw an uptick in its vote share, increasing its total by 24% to 5,622 ballots nationwide. The party issued a post-election statement reaffirming its solidarity messaging: “All out for May Day. Workers of all countries, unite.” In its campaign literature, the party expressed little hope for meaningful change from the 45th Parliament. “Certainly Canadians have come to despise politics as usual,” read a party commentary titled What The Working People Can Expect Under Mark Carney.Several other small parties also participated in the election with varying results. The satirical Rhinoceros Party led the pack with 7,446 votes, followed by the Libertarian Party with 5,982. The Animal Protection Party drew 1,302 votes, while the Marijuana Party received 130.According to Elections Canada, any Canadian can apply to register a federal political party by meeting requirements such as maintaining a website, appointing a chief agent and auditor, and securing signatures from at least 250 electors.
