The concept of reciprocity with the United States was revived in the 1985 when the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada headed by former Liberal Minister of Finance Donald S. Macdonald issued a report calling for free trade with the US. The Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney acted on the recommendation by negotiating the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and fighting the 1988 Canadian election on the issue.
Reciprocity meant that there would be no protective tariffs on all natural resources being imported and exported between Canada and the United States. This would allow prairie grain farmers access to the larger American market, and allow them to make more money on their exports.
When reciprocity came up in 1896, it was the Americans who proposed it to Laurier's Liberals. The idea excited them, and they immediately began to campaign for it. The Conservatives feared that they would lose the election again due to the valuable agreement, and despite their general belief that it would do Canada good, began to campaign against it.
The previous two Sir John A. Macdonald (1867 to 1873, and 1878 to 1891) and Alexander Mackenzie (1873 to 1878) were both born in Scotland.
(See the clip Canada's first political scandal in the topic Scandals, Boondoggles and White Elephants.) Abbott was legal advisor to Allan, but was also an MP at the time.
The incriminating documents, confirming the corruption, were stolen from Abbott's office and given to the Liberals.
They left their homes to escape poverty and political strife, and were attracted to Canada by promises of free land made to them by Canadian recruiters.
Canadian soldiers achieved notable victories, particularly at Vimy Ridge in the spring of 1917.
Meanwhile the Canadian Corps, commanded by Canadian general Arthur Currie, helped spearhead the final advances of Britain and its allies before an armistice ended the war in November 1918.
Feeds |
Contact