Growing Pains Reciprocity Canada at turn of century

Growing Pains & Reciprocity

Canada at turn of century n small population with vast amounts of land occupied by Aboriginal peoples and Métis n Feared American expansion in the west → aggressively sought new immigrants n Previously Canada relied on immigration from British Isles and France – but these immigrants would not go out into the prairie and farm n Clifford Sifton – Minister of the Interior, changed this plan n Immigrants now desired → Eastern Europe, poor peasants

Clifford Sifton “I think a stalwart peasant in a sheep skin coat, born on the soil whose forefathers have been farmers for ten generations, with a stout wife and a half dozen children, is good quality”

Sifton’s ideal immigrant

“The Last Best West” n Immigrants were attracted by offers of free land, and escape from religious persecution. Canada = opportunity for a better life n Canada advertised this free land all over Europe – this campaign was very successful

The Promise…

…and the reality

Not all were welcome n Racism and discrimination were very much a problem for new immigrants. African American immigrants were discouraged on grounds of being unfit for the cold harsh conditions n After helping to build our railway, Chinese immigrants faced direct discrimination in the form of a Head Tax, which was increased from $100 in 1900 to $500 in 1903 n

Assimilation n Increased immigration and expansion in west → conflict with First Nations n Government established Residential Schools → Policy of Assimilation: “to take the indian out of the indian” n Aboriginal Assimilation → ban on language, dress, cultural events and activities → Aboriginals lost cultural roots n Unfortunately many of these schools grossly abused and/or neglected these children, severely scarring them emotionally and mentally. n These schools continued to operate up to the late 1980 s

Sir Wilfrid Laurier & Reciprocity

Background n Late in the 19 th century Britain had ended its reciprocity n n agreement with Canada, but Britain remained Canada’s most important trading partner Canadian economy expanding in early 1900’s n Increased immigration n Marquis Wheat West was prospering → world demand for wheat Central Canada was doing well → Industry & manufacturing, mixed agriculture Eastern Canada → world demand for fish & lumber

The National Policy n Canada placed high tax (tariff) on foreign goods forcing Canadians to purchase Canadian made products n This policy protected Canadian manfacturing jobs n Tariffs hurt western farmers & Eastern fishermen

Reciprocity n Reciprocity (free trade) with USA n Laurier → Favoured reciprocity - Cheaper prices for products n Greater variety of products n Force Canadian companies to improve n Reciprocity opposed by manufacturers in central Canada n n Canadian companies in central Canada would close American ‘branch plants’ would close Job losses → weaker economy Greater reliance on USA → annexation? ?

What does this cartoon represent?

n In 1911 Laurier calls an election on the issue → losses to Robert Borden (conservative party) n This marks the end of an era n Borden rejects Reciprocity Agreement