Sir Wilfred Laurier?

[silver 2039]

I have a project on what it would be like to be a member of this man's cabinet during the "Laurier Era".

Does anyone have any good sources or information that would help me?

I'd like to know about the major issues facing the government at this point in time, and what life would be like for a politician. Some information about Canadian politics would be good to.

 

[Rhymes]

HA! My girlfirend is making a thesis about the Laurier Era! I'll try to find some of what she's done and send it to you...

 

[Che Guava]

Ah, the namesake of my High School: Sir Wilfrid Laurier! (sorry, but after 5 years of seeing that on everything, the spelling sticks!).

A few factoids:

*the first francophone Canadian PM
*Longest lasting PM (15 years!)
*Most consecutive elections won

His major contributions to canadian society include transforming our country from a colony to a nation through industrialization and more open immigration policies, and also by standing up to the british by not sending the canadian soldiers to the Boer War (he sent a volunteer force instead). He also settled a major dispute in Manitoba over catholic schools, and created the Canadian Navy. It should be noted that he also acted as a a fierce opponent of conscription during the first world war, when he sat in the opposition.

More than anything, SWL really left his mark on the liberal party of Canada (in terms of attitudes and policies) which ruled Canada through most of the 20the century. In my opinion, he is really the one who created the modern Dominion of Canada.

As for good sources, I would take a look at Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Romance of Canada . It's a great read (iirc!), but might be a little meaty if you need info right away. A faster way might be to take a browse though the collections canada site. Lots of good tidbits there, right from the horse's mouth...

 

[silver 2039]

Thanks guys. Much appreciated.

Do any of you happen to know what Manitoba's economy was like during the Laurier era? I can't seem to find ANY information on it.

I need to know about the economy of Manitoba and how each economy helped a feeling of regionalisim grow in Canada. The other provinces were easy but there's no info on Manitoba. Not even in my textbook!

 

[Che Guava]

Agriculture was the dominant economic activity during laurier's time. Take a look at this link for a few hints

And no look at manitoba's economic history would be complete without a look at the Hudson's Bay Company