Canadian Man Makes History by Getting Zero Votes in Election
Félix-Antoine Hamel, a 45-year-old musician from Montreal, has made a unique mark in Canadian electoral history by receiving no votes at all in a contested riding.
In a twist that defies the norm, Félix-Antoine Hamel, a 45-year-old musician from Montreal, has made a unique mark in Canadian electoral history by receiving no votes at all in a contested riding. While most candidates would find this outcome devastating, Hamel views it with a sense of humor and pride.
Hamel was one of the many independent candidates in the Toronto-St. Paul’s riding, part of a protest against Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system. This protest made the ballot the longest in federal electoral history. Reflecting on his performance, Hamel remarked, “When I saw the result, I was like, ‘Well, I am the true unity candidate. Everyone agrees not to vote for me.’”
Remarkably, Hamel is the only federal candidate since Confederation to receive zero votes in a contested riding. While the Library of Parliament database shows hundreds of past candidates received no votes, those cases involved unopposed candidates. The last acclaimed seat without opposition was won in a 1957 by-election in Lanark, Ontario.
Hamel’s candidacy began with a suggestion from a friend involved with the electoral reform advocacy group, the Longest Ballot Committee. He hadn’t expected to make history and laughed at the idea of becoming a trivia question. “I’m one of the last people that would be expected to make Canadian history in any way,” he said.
Independent candidates usually garner some support, often voting for themselves. However, Hamel, who doesn’t reside in Toronto-St. Paul’s, didn’t even cast a ballot. He admitted to minimal campaigning effort, citing the example of former NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau. Brosseau famously won a seat in Quebec in 2011 during Jack Layton’s “Orange Wave” without having visited her riding.
“Anything could happen… It’s our democracy, that’s how it works and it can be sometimes totally absurd,” Hamel commented.
Despite the result, Hamel remains positive about his participation. He sees it as an opportunity to highlight the need for electoral reform and appreciates the democratic process. He expressed concern about the state of democracies globally but finds solace in Canada’s system. “As long as I have the right and the privilege to get zero votes in an election, then we are truly in a democracy,” he concluded.
Hamel’s unique achievement serves as a reminder of the quirks in the democratic process and the ongoing debate about electoral reform in Canada. His story underscores the importance of participation, even when the outcome is unexpected.