1989 Beaver River federal by-election

A by-election was held in the Alberta federal riding of Beaver River on March 13, 1989. The election was triggered by the death of incumbent John Dahmer, who died five days after winning the seat in the 1988 federal election.^[1]

1989 Beaver River federal by-election

← 1988 March 13, 1989 (1989-03-13) 1993 →
Riding of Beaver River
First party Second party   PC Candidate Deborah Grey Dave Broda Party Reform Progressive Conservative Popular vote 11,154 6,912 Percentage 48.70% 30.18% Swing 36.50pp 10.22pp   Third party Fourth party   LPC NDP Candidate Ernie O. Brosseau Barbara Bonneau Party Liberal New Democratic Popular vote 2,756 2,081 Percentage 12.03% 9.09% Swing 7.13pp 9.96pp
MP before election Vacant Elected MP Deborah Grey Reform

Reform candidate Deborah Grey won the by-election, becoming the party's first elected MP.^[2]

An exhibit display at the Royal Alberta Museum depicts artefacts from the 1989 by-election, including Grey's motorcycle.

Results

v t e Canadian federal by-election, March 13, 1989: Beaver River upon death of John Dahmer
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Reform	Deborah Grey	11,154	48.70%	+36.50%
	Progressive Conservative	Dave Broda	6,912	30.18%	-10.22%
	Liberal	Ernie O. Brosseau	2,756	12.03%	-7.13%
	New Democratic	Barbara Bonneau	2,081	9.09%	-9.96%
Total valid votes			22,903	100.00%
	Reform gain from Progressive Conservative		Swing		+23.36%

1988 result

v t e 1988 Canadian federal election: Beaver River
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Progressive Conservative	John Dahmer	13,768	44.30
	Liberal	Ernie Sehn	6,528	21.01
	New Democratic	Brian Luther	6,492	20.89
	Reform	Deborah Grey	4,158	13.38
	Confederation of Regions	Les Johnston	131	0.42
Total valid votes			31,077	100.00
	Progressive Conservative notional hold

See also

• By-elections to the 34th Canadian Parliament