A cartoon depicting familiar trade issues between Canada and the United States.
"1911::British Columbia's Conservatives Standing Guard at the International Border" Cartoonist: John Wilson Bengough
Clip: Victoria Daily Times (1911) Victoria, British Columbia
Canada's 1911 federal election brought the question of American tariffs front and centre. Canada's Liberal leader, Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier (Canada's five-dollar-bill guy), announced that he had signed a reciprocity agreement with Republican President William Taft and was seeking ratification from Parliament. Conservatives, fearing the agreement was the first step towards the Americanization of Canada, leading to free trade and, ultimately, the annexation of Canada, filibustered the deal, forcing Laurier to call an election to settle the issue. The country was divided. On one hand, Canadians believed they could benefit from strong economic ties with their neighbour. But on the other hand, those same ties could lead to American domination, forcing Canadians to conform to the American way. Ultimately, the fall election saw Conservative leader Sir Robert Borden end Laurier's 15-year-long reign.