Editing William Lyon Mackenzie King (section)

==== 1945 election ====
With the war winding down, King called [[1945 Canadian federal election|a federal election for June 11, 1945]]. The Liberals' election campaign was centered on a broad program of [[social security]]. Although King was hesitant for his government to expand its role in the economy and run [[deficit spending|deficits]], he accepted it as these measures aligned with his concern for people struggling financially. There were political motives too; the Liberals needed to compete with the rising [[socialist]] [[Co-operative Commonwealth Federation]] (CCF) for votes.<ref name="Neatby" /> In addition, King promised to commit one division of volunteers to [[Operation Downfall]], the planned invasion of Japan scheduled for late 1945-early 1946, whereas [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|Progressive Conservative]] leader [[John Bracken]] promised conscription. Bracken's promise was unpopular and it thus benefited the Liberals.<ref>Morton, Desmond A Military History of Canada, Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1999 page 223-224.</ref>

The Liberals were knocked down from a massive [[majority government]] to a [[minority government]]. However, they were able to govern with a working majority with the support of eight "Independent Liberal" MPs (most of whom did not run as official Liberals because of their opposition to conscription). The Liberals' decline in support was partly attributed to the introduction of conscription, which was unpopular in many parts of Canada. As King was defeated in his own riding of [[Prince Albert (federal electoral district)|Prince Albert]], fellow Liberal [[William MacDiarmid]], who was re-elected in the [[safe seat]] of [[Glengarry (federal electoral district)|Glengarry]], resigned so that an August 6 by-election could be held, which was subsequently won by King.<ref name="Neatby" />