1. Growing Pains & Reciprocity

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

3. 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”

4. Sifton’s ideal immigrant

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

7. The Promise…

9. …and the reality

11. Not all were welcome
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
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

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

15. Sir Wilfrid Laurier & Reciprocity

16. Background
Late in the 19th century Britain had ended its reciprocity agreement with Canada, but Britain remained Canada’s most important trading partner
Canadian economy expanding in early 1900’s
Increased immigration
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

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

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

20. What does this cartoon represent?

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