"Canada has been modest in its history, in my estimation, is only
commencing. It is commencing in this century. The nineteenth century of
the United States. I think we can claim that Canada will fill the
twentieth century." Sir Wilfrid Laurier, January 18, 1904
These words, so familiar to to Canadians, sum up the spirit of optimism
which characterized Laurier himself, as well as the country during the
time he governed. His skill as a politician gave him the longest
unbroken term of office as prime minister, while his charismatic
personality endeared him to friend and rival alike, and made him a hero
to the nation.
Wilfrid Laurier was born in St. Lin, Quebec in 1841, the son of a farmer.
After a few years at the local elementary school, Laurier was sent
New Glasgow, a nearby town, to learn English. He spent seven years at a
Roman Catholic College, and then studied law at McGill University.
Laurier graduated 1864 and began practising law in Montreal.
It was during these years that Laurier became involved in politics
, supporting the Liberal party or "parti rouge", as it was known in
Quebec. In 1866, he moved to L'Avenir and took over as Editor of
Le Defricheur, defending liberalism. It was not an easy
platform to support in Quebec at that time; the clergy fiercely
condemned "les rouges," and the rival "partie bleu" dominated the
provincial government. Laurier won a seat in the legislature as a Liberal
member in 1871, but resigned in 1874. That same year, he was elected to
the House of Commons. During the brief Liberal regime under Alexander
MacKenzie, Laurier served for a year as Minister of Inland Revenue.
His spirited defence of Louis Riel in 1885 brought his oratorical
abilities to the attention of the party, and when Liberal leader Edward
Blake resigned in 1887, Laurier succeeded him.
During the election of 1891, the Liberal platform of unrestricted
reciprocity with the U.S. proved unpopular, and the Conservatives won
again. But with the death of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald later the
same year, the collapse of the Conservative party began.The Manitoba
Schools Question hastened the process, and Laurier simply bided his
time. After eighteen years of Tory government, the nation voted Liberal
in the 1896 election and Laurier became Canada's first francophone prime
minister.
National unity was of supreme importance to Laurier. He had seen how
divisive the issues of Riel and the Manitoba schools had been, and he
sought to reconcile the interests of French and English Canada with his
policies. Laurier was a great admirer of the principles of British
liberalism, and felt they offered the means by which Canadians of all
ancestries could live in one nation. But at all times his dedication to
Canadian unity took precedence over his esteem for British tradition.
In 1897, he was invited to London for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of
Queen Victoria's reign. Although Laurier had indicated that, in the
tradition of former Liberal leaders Alexander Mackenzie and Edward Blake,
he did not wish a knighthood, preparations to knight him had already been
made. To avoid appearing rude, he accepted. There was an ulterior
motive in the extravagant welcome Laurier received in Britain. Anxious
to re-establish control over the foreign policy and defence of their
colonies, the British were hoping that Laurier would acquiesce and
convince others to follow. But they underestimated Laurier's
determination to maintain Canada's control over her destiny. At three
more Imperial Conferences between 1902 and 1911, Laurier held firm
against the British encroachment on Canadian autonomy.
The fifteen years of Laurier's government were distinguished with
unprecedented growth and prosperity. Immigration expanded, especially
in the West, leading to the creation of the provinces of Alberta and
Saskatchewan in 1905. Such growth required expansion of the railways and
two new continental lines were built.
The golden age came to an end in 1911, when the Liberals lost the
election over the issue of unrestricted reciprocity. As leader of the
Opposition, Laurier maintained the confidence of his party until the
First World War. While he supported Canada's contribution to Britain's
war efforts and urged young men in all provinces to enlist, Laurier was
against conscription. The Liberal party was badly split over this issue
in the 1917 election, and several Liberals formed a union government with
the Conservatives for the duration of the war.
Laurier died on February 17,1919, having served for forty-five years in
the House of Commons. At his funeral, 50,000 people lined the streets of
Ottawa, while hundreds of dignitaries and officials from all over the
country followed the funeral procession. This solemn occasion was one of
the first public events in Canada to be recorded on film.
