Political Party Profiles
The 1911 election was a traditional two-party election in Canada.
However, forces started to emerge which suggested that third-party
interests were starting to become more prominent in Canadian
politics. Bourassa’s Nationalists were devoted solely to
Quebec’s interests, and they were able to exert influence
through their alliance with the Conservatives.
The Liberal Party
The Liberals had been in power for 15 years with a majority government.
By 1911, Laurier was in ill health and seemed to be reluctant
to embrace change. The Liberals had run out of ideas, which prompted
them to adopt the controversial naval bill and reciprocity agreements.
The Liberals would be plagued with internal divisions. Their
1911 election was not characteristic of the strong Liberal party
of the preceding 15 years. Their influence in Canadian politics
was starting to decline.
The Conservative Party
In 1911, the Conservatives would form coalitions with several other
political interests in Canada to oppose the Liberal policies
of free trade and the naval bill. The most important of these
would be the Quebec Nationalists led by Henri Bourassa. This
Conservative-Nationalist Alliance was able to campaign throughout
the election as a united party that was supported by Quebec nationalists,
Liberal insurgents who had deserted Laurier, and business interests.
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