2. Mackenzie King and The Empire Mackenzie King did not support military expansion and wished to distance himself from the Empire. Mackenzie King did not support military expansion and wished to distance himself from the Empire. The Chanak Crisis of 1922 The Chanak Crisis of 1922 King refused to support Britain ’ s request for troops in case of a war with Turkey.King refused to support Britain ’ s request for troops in case of a war with Turkey. The Halibut Treaty of 1923 The Halibut Treaty of 1923 For the first time Canada signed an international treaty without British support.For the first time Canada signed an international treaty without British support.

4. 1923 - Halibut Treaty Treaty Agreement concerning closed season on Halibut fishing in the North Pacific Treaty Agreement concerning closed season on Halibut fishing in the North Pacific King wished to eliminate British representation from Canada’s treaty-making process King wished to eliminate British representation from Canada’s treaty-making process Canada signed the treaty on her own without any involvement from Britain – first time. Canada signed the treaty on her own without any involvement from Britain – first time.

6. The Election of 1925 The Progressive party was weakened by internal disagreement The Progressive party was weakened by internal disagreement and and The Liberals had failed to keep all the promises of 1921. They were now vulnerable in the Maritimes because of The Liberals had failed to keep all the promises of 1921. They were now vulnerable in the Maritimes because of Freight Rates and Tariffs. Between 1921 and 1925 economic conditions in most of Canada improved but

7. The Election of 1925 II Conservative seats Conservative seats Liberal seats Liberal seats Progressive seats Progressive seats Mackenzie King lost the election but called on the support of the Progressive Party and refused to resign.

8. The King-Byng Affair 1926 The King-Byng Affair 1926 A scandal in the Liberal government forced Mackenzie King to ask Lord Byng, the Governor-General, for dissolution. A scandal in the Liberal government forced Mackenzie King to ask Lord Byng, the Governor-General, for dissolution. Lord Byng would not grant this request because Lord Byng would not grant this request because Conservative leader Meighen led the largest party.Conservative leader Meighen led the largest party. An election had just taken place in 1925.An election had just taken place in 1925. Lord Byng

9. The King-Byng Affair 1926 II King accused Lord Byng and the Conservatives of “ twisting the Constitution. ” King accused Lord Byng and the Conservatives of “ twisting the Constitution. ” A reluctant Arthur Meighen now formed government. A reluctant Arthur Meighen now formed government. The Progressives continued to support the Liberals and Meighen was quickly defeated. The Progressives continued to support the Liberals and Meighen was quickly defeated. An election called for September 14, 1926 returned King and the Liberals to power. An election called for September 14, 1926 returned King and the Liberals to power.

10. Afterwards… King argued that it was undemocratic for British official to refuse advice of Canadian P.M. King argued that it was undemocratic for British official to refuse advice of Canadian P.M. Came to redefine the role of Governor General not only in Canada but throughout the Dominions-as a representative of the Sovereign nation, and not just that of the British government. Came to redefine the role of Governor General not only in Canada but throughout the Dominions-as a representative of the Sovereign nation, and not just that of the British government. No governor general – since then – has acted against against the wishes of Prime Minister No governor general – since then – has acted against against the wishes of Prime Minister

11. Imperial Conference 1926 Dominions of the British Empire requested autonomy & to define status of “Dominion” Dominions of the British Empire requested autonomy & to define status of “Dominion” Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa Autonomy: the freedom to govern themselves Autonomy: the freedom to govern themselves Resulted in Balfour Report – 1926 Resulted in Balfour Report – 1926

12. Statute of Westminster - 1931 made Balfour Report legal made Balfour Report legal officially recognized Dominions as members of the British Commonwealth, NOT colonies of the British Empire (more political independence) officially recognized Dominions as members of the British Commonwealth, NOT colonies of the British Empire (more political independence) Equal in status with Britain as a country, and entitled to make its own laws Equal in status with Britain as a country, and entitled to make its own laws Canada now able to conduct its own Foreign Affairs and Relations Canada now able to conduct its own Foreign Affairs and Relations Signing of Statute of Westminster

13. The Statute of Westminster(cont.) Two Restrictions: Two Restrictions: 1. Canada’s constitution, the British North America Act, remained in Britain, because the Canadian federal and provincial governments could not agree on an amending formula Amending Formula - Procedure for changing the Canadian Constitution Amending Formula - Procedure for changing the Canadian Constitution 2. Judicial Court of Appeal (Judicial Committee of the Privy Council) for Canadians resided in Britain until 1949