Liberal minority; NDP becomes third party

In the 1965 Canadian federal election, the Liberal Party, led by Lester B. Pearson, achieved a minority government by winning 49.40% of the total seats in the House of Commons. This election marked a pivotal moment in Canadian politics as it not only reinstated the Liberals to power after a brief period of Progressive Conservative dominance but also saw the emergence of the New Democratic Party (NDP) as a significant political force. The NDP, which had been formed from the merger of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the Canadian Labour Congress, positioned itself as a voice for social democracy and labor rights, appealing to a growing segment of the electorate that sought progressive change. The election results indicated a shift in the political landscape, with the NDP capturing a notable share of the vote, thus establishing itself as the third party in the Canadian political system.