- 1905, two new provinces entered Confederation - Saskatchewan and Alberta
- PM Laurier wanted to guarantee French language and Roman Catholic religious rights in these two new provinces
- his ministers opposed this and Laurier backed down
- Alberta and Saskatchewan were left to make their own arrangements re: schools and languages
- Canadiens upset by this
- 1910, many prairie farmers wanted free trade to purchase cheaper farm equipment (if there were no tariffs) from across the border rather than from Ontario
- Americans offered to sign a free trade agreement
Recall: Can. / US had a free trade agreement (i.e. reciprocity) between 1854 and 1866.
- Laurier liked the idea but many were opposed
i.e. branch plant workers, ranchers, meat packers; Canadian businesses and industry feared US competition.
- Conservatives opposed free trade
- Sept. 12, 1911. Conservatives and their leader, Robert Borden, defeated the Liberals. Therefore, no free trade.